Defense After a Drunk Driving Arrest
Facing drunk driving charges in Boston is serious. In Massachusetts, if you are convicted of Operating Under the Influence (OUI), your life will never be the same.
Once you’ve been pulled over or arrested, the decisions that you make can have a big impact on the rest of your life. Don’t let one poor decision turn into huge fines, jail time, a permanent criminal record, and the loss of your driving privileges. As soon as you are able, contact a Boston criminal defense attorney at DiBella Law Offices, P.C., at (617) 870-0907 to begin assisting you with your defense.
Give us a call today to discover how we can assist you.
Know What You Are Facing
In Massachusetts, even a first OUI offense has the following penalties:
- 45- to 90-day license suspension
- Up to 30 months in prison
- $500 to $5,000 in fines and fees
- A criminal record that follows you for life
- Required participation in a weekly alcohol awareness program
If you are facing charges for your second offense, the penalties increase to:
- Mandatory minimum of 30 days in jail
- Maximum of 30 months in prison
- $600 to $10,000 in fines
- Loss of license with possibility of a hardship license
- Installation of an ignition interlock device
- A criminal record that follows you for life
A third drunk driving offense or any thereafter will be considered felonies. In these cases, you are facing at least:
- A minimum of 150 days in jail
- $1,000 to $15,000 in fines
- Loss of license with possibility of a hardship license
- Installation of an ignition interlock device
- Loss of the right to own a firearm
- Loss of the right to vote
- A criminal record that follows you for life
Understanding the seriousness of these charges helps to clarify why you need a strong legal team working to protect your rights.
Not Every Arrest Ends in Conviction
Regardless of the circumstances of your arrest, it is always in your best interests to have an experienced criminal defense lawyer working on your case. You lawyer will investigate the actual traffic stop to be certain that you were treated fairly and that your rights were not infringed upon. Some areas of interest will include:
- Were your constitutional rights violated in any way during the arrest?
- What were the events surrounding the initial traffic stop and the cause of the stop?
- Were field sobriety tests administered correctly?
- Was the breath test conducted properly?
- Did the test results justify the arrest?
All of this information can be used to discredit the testing and arrest process. Even weather and roadside conditions can be examined and be found to have hampered your ability to pass certain field sobriety tests.
We've offered crucial support and guidance to individuals who have suffered injuries, ensuring their financial and emotional well-being.
If You Are Charged, Call Us
We understand that you will be upset and unsure of what you should do if you are accused of drunk driving in Boston. As with any situation involving law enforcement officers, it is always in your best interests to remain calm and respectful. But you should also understand that you should not answer questions or admit to anything without first consulting a lawyer.
A single call to our Boston office at (617) 870-0907 may be able to greatly alter the results of your arrest – and perhaps the rest of your life. Call DiBella Law Offices, P.C., today for a free consultation about your unique situation.
We are committed to providing valuable information and resources to assist you.
