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How Much over the Speed limit is a Felony in Connecticut?
Driving above the speed limit in Connecticut is generally considered an infraction or a misdemeanor. However, although Connecticut has no specific speed-over-limit threshold that constitutes a felony, a speeding violation may become a third-degree felony if it results in bodily injuries or death of another person (vehicular manslaughter).
An individual commits a speeding violation by driving at an unreasonable speed, considering the current road conditions, traffic, intersections, and weather. Connecticut classifies driving at a speed between 55 mph and 85 mph as a speeding violation or an infraction, and any speed above 85 mph is reckless driving, which may result in criminal penalties.
| Speed Situation | Legal Classification |
|---|---|
| Up to 85 mph | Traffic infraction or misdemeanor |
| Over 85 mph | Reckless driving (Class A misdemeanor) |
| Causing injuries or death | Felony (3rd-degree or more). |
Is Speeding a Felony in Connecticut?
Speeding in Connecticut does not result in felony charges unless aggravating factors exist. Regardless of how fast a driver is over the speed limit, speeding is a civil infraction (misdemeanor) and not a felony in Connecticut except when it involves injuries or death of a third party, criminal behavior beyond speeding, or reckless endangerment of lives. The table outlines several factors that can elevate speeding citations in Connecticut to felony charges.
| Offense | Felony Classification |
|---|---|
| Manslaughter with a motor vehicle due to speeding | Class C |
| Assault with a motor vehicle | Class D |
| Evading responsibility after an accident (hit-and-run) |
Felony classification depends on the outcome of the incident:
|
| Second, third, or subsequent speeding violations within 10 years while under the influence of alcohol or drugs |
|
| Engaging Police in Pursuit (with risk or injury) |
|
Can a Speeding Ticket Become a Felony in Connecticut?
Driving above the legal speed limits in Connecticut does not constitute a felony. However, a speeding ticket may result in felony charges if aggravating factors exist. In Connecticut, a speeding citation may elevate to felony charges if:
- It results in injuries or the death of others
- The offender engages the police in pursuit, endangering lives or resulting in injuries or deaths
- The driver abandons their responsibilities after an accident (hit-and-run)
- The speeding involves a second or more DUI violations within 10 years
- The ticket relates to street racing or reckless endangerment
- The driver is speeding in a school zone and has caused harm to others.
Types of Speeding Tickets in Connecticut: Infraction, Misdemeanor, or Felony
In Connecticut, the legal classifications for speed violations depend on the severity of the offense. Connecticut ranks speeding offenses as infractions, misdemeanors, or felonies.
Infractions
A speed violation is an infraction if an individual drives a vehicle above the speed limit for the specific location without harm or injury to others. Infractions are not criminal offenses, and their penalties include fines, points on driving records, and license suspension (for repeat offenders).
Misdemeanors
A speeding violation in Connecticut becomes a misdemeanor if it reaches the criminal threshold due to excessive speed or public endangerment. In Connecticut, a Class D or A misdemeanor may result in penalties ranging from $100.00 to $600.00 fine, license suspension (the duration varies with the severity of the offense), and up to 1 year in jail.
Felony
Connecticut classifies a speeding offense as a felony if such actions result in property damage, endanger the public, or result in injuries or deaths. A speeding driver may also face felony charges for leaving the scene of a crash (hit-and-run) or fleeing from the police.
| Aggravating Factors | Felony Classification |
|---|---|
| Serious injuries to others while driving under the influence and speeding | Class D |
| Causing death while driving under the influence and speeding for a second or subsequent time | Class C |
| Leaving a crash scene | Class D if the accident involves injuries to others Class B if there are fatalities |
| Speeding to evade the police | Class D for injuries to other persons, and Class C if the pursuit results in deaths |
| Speeding with extreme public danger | Class D. |
Penalties for Felony Speeding Tickets in Connecticut
The penalties for felony speeding tickets in Connecticut vary with the severity of the offense. Infractions may result in fines, points on records, and license suspension for repeat offenses. While speeding violations classified as misdemeanors may result in up to a 1-year prison term in addition to fines and license suspension. For speeding violations that result in felony charges, the penalties may include:
- 1 to 10 years in prison
- $5,000.00 to $20,000.00 fine (depending on the severity of the offense)
- A minimum of 1year license suspension to a permanent revocation.
Beyond the traditional penalties, misdemeanor speeding convictions may be eligible for expungement after 7 years, and low-level felonies after 10 years. However, serious speeding offenses, such as those involving fatalities (Class A to Class C felony citations), may stay permanently on records unless there are absolute pardons or the individuals petition the courts for removal.
How Long Does a Speeding Ticket Stay on Your Record in Connecticut?
How long a speeding citation in Connecticut stays on record depends on whether it is a Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) or criminal record. In Connecticut, a speeding infraction may stay on a DMV record for 3 years from the date of conviction or payment. In contrast, Connecticut traffic court records for criminal speeding offenses (misdemeanors and felonies) may stay on records for 7 to 10 years. Under the Connecticut Clean Slate Law, misdemeanor and non-violent felony convictions are eligible for automatic expunction after 7 and 10 years.
Can a Speeding Ticket Be Expunged from Your Record in Connecticut?
In Connecticut, minor speeding offenses, such as driving 10 to 20 mph over the limit, are civil infractions (which typically result in fines and points on records). Infractions are automatically removed from records after 3 years and do not require formal expunction.
In contrast, more serious speeding violations that rise to the level of misdemeanor or felony may result in criminal convictions and are expungeable in Connecticut. Under the Connecticut Clean Slate Law, there is automatic expunction for misdemeanors and Class D or E felony convictions. A misdemeanor speeding violation may be eligible for expungement after 7 years. Felony convictions may qualify for expungement after 10 years. Individuals seeking expungement before the automatic period can petition the courts or the Connecticut Board of Pardons and Parole.