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Framingham Drunk Driving Lawyers

1. Waldstein, Thomas: Massachusetts drunk driving laws are stricter than ever now, due to passage of legislation like Melanie's Law. In short, it is more important than ever to get criminal defense help with a DUI or drunk driving charge. Under the more strict laws, anyone convicted of an OUI, DUI, DWI or other drunk driving offense in Massachusetts will always carry that conviction on his or her criminal record. DUIs and other drunk driving offenses are no longer erased from a criminal record after 10 years. This means that, if you get a DUI 15 years after getting a drunk driving conviction, that second DUI will count as a second DUI instead of a first drunk driving charge. You will be subjected to all the enhanced penalties of a second DUI charge Ñ instead of being treated as a first-time offender.
2. Simoneau, Brian: DUI, OUI, DWI, 'Drunk Driving' Suspensions If you were arrested for Operating Under the Influence of Liquor (OUI) which is also known as "drunk driving," driving while intoxicated (DWI), or Driving Under the Influence (DUI), Contact a lawyer immediately. As a result of harsh Massachusetts Drunk Driving Laws, a person convicted on a first offense for a Massachusetts DUI may now face a maximum two-and-a-half year jail term, $5,000 fine, and one-year loss of his or her license. Many otherwise law-abiding residents of the Commonwealth face drunk driving arrests every year. Anyone arrested for drunk driving needs an experienced Massachusetts OUI defense lawyer to ensure that their rights are preserved and to vigorously defend them against the charges. Contact a Registry Lawyer for help. It costs absolutely nothing to have us review your DUI case. Here are the Massachusetts License Revocation Penalties for Operating Under the Influence (OUI): * For a 1st offense Massachusetts DUI, your license will be revoked for a period of one (1) Year, unless you get a 1st offender 24D Disposition. You can apply for a hardship license for work or education after serving 90 days. You can apply for a general hardship after serving 6 months of the suspension. * For a 2nd offense Massachusetts DUI, your license will be revoked for a period of two (2) years. If your 1st Massachusetts DUI offense was more than 10 years ago, you may qualify for a 1st offender "second chance" disposition. On a 2 year license suspension for DUI, you are eligible to apply for a work / education Hardship License after serving one (1) year and a general hardship license after serving 18 months. * For a 3rd offense Massachusetts DUI, your license will be revoked for 8 years. Generally, you must serve at least 2 years before you can apply for a Hardship License for work or education. You must wait 4 years before you can apply for a general hardship license. * For a 4th Offense Massachusetts DUI, your license will be revoked for 10 years. You are eligible to apply for a work / education hardship license after serving 5 years. You must serve 8 years before you can apply for a general hardship license. * For a 5th offense, your license will be revoked for life. There is no provision in the law to obtain a hardship license and the Registry of Motor Vehicles will NOT grant you one. However, you MAY be able to get a hardship license by going through the Board of Appeals. When counting Massachusetts DUI offenses, it usually does not matter how old they are. Under Melanie's Law, there is a lifetime look-back period. Also, if the Massachusetts RMV is aware of out of state convictions or alcohol program assignments, those out of state OUI charges will also count against you. The law requires the Registry to treat out of state motor vehicle offenses as if they had occurred in Massachusetts. If your Massachusetts License was suspended or revoked because of a drunk driving arrest, there is no automatic entitlement to a hardship license. The Registry of Motor Vehicles and Board of Appeal have complete discretion regarding the issuance of hardship licenses. This is why it is important to be represented by a qualified lawyer.
3. Dawley, Stephen: A criminal case usually begins by complaint or indictment. In some cases an individual is entitled to a hearing before a clerk to determine whether there is a sufficient basis for the issuance of a complaint. At the arraignment an initial plea is entered and, depending on the seriousness of the charge and the defendant's record, the judge decides the issue of bail. The court dates subsequent to the arraignment are typically the pre-trial conference date--at which time the prosecution will be required to provide certain information to defense counsel regarding the case--and dates for hearings on motions such as motions to dismiss or motions to suppress evidence. Eventually, if the case proceeds, every defendant must decide whether to enter a plea or to have a trial. If the case is tried a defendant has a Constitutional right to a jury trial but can, in most cases, choose a trial before a judge without a jury if it appears that is a better option. Representation at each stage of a criminal proceeding is of critical importance as uninformed decisions can have serious and irreversible consequences.
4. John LaChance: Driving while intoxicated is a serious charge, especially in Massachusetts where each offense stays on your driving record permanently. Each consecutive DWI / OUI offense carries increasingly substantial fines and more potential jail time than the last. If you have failed a field sobriety test or your blood alcohol level has been recorded by a police breathalyzer as above .08, minimally you will have to deal with a suspended license and attendance of alcohol education classes. Massachusetts authorities frequently offer first-time offenders the opportunity to obtain a work license in exchange for a guilty plea. The opportunity of being allowed to drive to work often sounds tempting to clients but do not be fooled. This guilty plea will stay on your record forever, increasing your fines and potential jail time if you are to re-offend.
5. Eileen Agness: You should consult an attorney for individual advice regarding your own situation.
6. Jesse Cohen: Having the best Massachusetts criminal defense attorney on your case makes a difference, and so does hiring a good criminal lawyer who knows the courts and counties of Massachusetts well.
7. Alan Finkel: Whether you need a lawyer to defend you against drunk driving charges, or to represent you at a real estate closing, it is important to have an attorney with the experience to spot trouble before it is too late. Problems can arise quickly and your lawyer needs to understand where to look to find these problems and deal with them successfully.