Drunk driving, or operating under the influence (OUI), is a serious crime in Massachusetts. The state has strict laws in place to deter individuals from driving while impaired, and the penalties for OUI are severe. Understanding the charges and consequences of OUI is essential for anyone who may face such charges in the state. In Massachusetts, OUI is defined as operating a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 or higher. It is illegal to drive with a BAC of .08 or higher, regardless of whether the individual is
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Cannabis DUI
Marijuana and derived cannabis products are now legal for private, at-home consumption in Massachusetts. With the use of THC products now legal and in the open, it becomes even more important to remember continuing legal restrictions on and best practices surrounding their consumption. One of the foremost issues at the intersection of law, good citizenship, and cannabis is that of driving under the influence of marijuana and marijuana-derived products. Most people are familiar with the laws surrounding DUI, or at least they think they understand these laws. Let’s take a moment to review the laws regarding alcohol and the operation
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What happens to me if I refuse to take a Breathalyzer test when pulled over in Massachusetts?
Drivers in Massachusetts ought to be especially wary when they see those blue lights flash behind them, given the spotty track record of the Breathalyzers used to test for DUI violations by police departments across the Commonwealth. Sober, responsible drivers found themselves in a lot of trouble because of inaccurately prepared and used Breathalyzers. Since 2017, numerous legal challenges and complaints have surfaced regarding the main Breathalyzer model used in the state, the Draeger 9510 Alcotest. There were widespread issues with the calibration of these machines. Despite knowing the calibrating errors by numerous police departments, the Massachusetts Office of Alcohol
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Penalties for Drunk Driving in Massachusetts
The penalties for drunk driving in Massachusetts are, in some ways, harsher than any other DUI laws in the United States. And most of that comes already when there’s a conviction for a first-time offense. It’s a crackdown on drinking and driving in Massachusetts. First-Time Offense Laws As with most first-time offense laws, if you refuse to take a blood alcohol content test after being pulled over, you’ll be subjected to a fine and suspension of your drivers license. Keep in mind that your license is automatically suspended for 180 days just based on your refusal to take the test.
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