DUI/OUI ATTORNEYS IN BOSTON
FIGHTING FOR YOUR RIGHTS & DRIVING PRIVILEGES

Massachusetts has some of the toughest operating under the influence (OUI) laws in the country. Also known as driving under the influence (DUI), or driving while intoxicated (DWI), it is a common offense that carries severe penalties. While it is never a good idea to drink and drive, a simple mistake can lead to an OUI charge, which can threaten your ability to drive, your job, and your daily life.

At Dhar Law, LLP, our knowledgeable attorneys have decades of experience representing clients charged with operating a vehicle under the influence. We also represent individuals who face other alcohol-related charges, such as having an open container of alcohol in a vehicle. If you or a loved one is arrested for drunk driving, having an open container, or any crime involving operating a motor vehicle, contact our offices today to schedule a free consultation.

MASSACHUSETTS OUI LAW

Under Massachusetts law, it is illegal to operate a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08 percent or higher, or while under the influence of drugs. For drivers under the age of 21, the limit is 0.02 percent BAC, which for most people would be triggered by only one drink. For drivers of commercial vehicles, the limit is 0.04 percent BAC.

We also represent motorists who are charged with vehicular crimes such as a hit-and-run accident or vehicular homicide.

FIELD SOBRIETY TESTS

There are three primary standardized field sobriety tests (SFSTs) used by law enforcement to gauge whether a driver may be under the influence of drugs or alcohol. These tests include the Walk and Turn Test, Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus Test (HGN), and the One-Leg Stand Test. Each of these tests has specific signs police look for to score a driver on their field sobriety tests.

Field sobriety tests are not mandatory in Massachusetts. Each of these tests has limited reliability and outside factors may cause a person to fail the test even if they are not intoxicated. However, whether you fail or refuse a field sobriety test, an officer may still arrest you if they suspect you are intoxicated.

CHEMICAL TESTING

Law enforcement utilizes chemical testing as evidence of a driver’s intoxication. These tests measure the amount of alcohol in the body by testing breath, blood, and/or urine. During a traffic stop, the police may ask a driver to breathe into a breath test, also known as a portable breathalyzer. A field breath test is not mandatory and they are less accurate than breath testing machines at the police station.

After an arrest, the police or troopers will have the suspect take a breath test at the station, or take a blood sample for testing. These devices are more accurate than the field breathalyzer but there are still some errors that can occur with these chemical tests that can be challenged in court. Additionally, the state has an implied consent law, which means that by driving on public roads, the driver has consented to provide a sample for testing. Refusal to submit to a chemical test will result in automatic penalties, including a driver’s license suspension for 180 days for a first offense.

DRUNK DRIVING PENALTIES

A conviction for a first DUI will result in up to 2½ years in prison, fines from $500 to $5,000, and the Registrar of Motor Vehicles (RMV) will administratively suspend the driver’s license for 1 year. The driver may also have to install an ignition interlock device (IID) in their vehicle to test for clean breath in order to drive.

A second OUI offense has increased penalties and a third offense is considered a felony. Massachusetts has a “lifetime lookback” policy that looks at a driver’s entire history to see if there was a previous violation. Additional penalties apply if a child is in the car at the time an offense occurs.

DRUNK DRIVING DEFENSES

There are a number of areas an experienced OUI attorney in Boston can explore in order to defend their client from these serious charges.

These include:

Determining whether there was probable cause to stop and arrest the driver
The accuracy of the chemical testing
The reliability of field sobriety test results
Whether prescription medicine or some other substance caused an erroneous BAC reading

PUT OUR EXPERIENCE & KNOWLEDGE IN YOUR CORNER

A Boston OUI lawyer with success representing clients charged with drunk driving will investigate the facts and circumstances surrounding your arrest to provide you with all available defenses. Immediate action on your part is important. Call 617 880-6155 or use our online contact form to schedule a free consultation with our experienced DUI attorneys in Boston.