Massachusetts DUI
DUI laws in the state of Massachusetts are complicated and subject to change. Convictions will result in penalties, which depend in severity according to the presence or absence of aggravating circumstances such as previous charges and convictions.
Massachusetts DUI laws
Anyone charged and convicted of a DUI in the state of Massachusetts for the first-time is subject to a $500 to $5000 fine, a maximum of 2 1/2 years in the house of correction, and a suspension of one's driving license for one year, which spells great discomfort, especially for those who need to drive to work or to school. A second offense gets a mandatory 30-day stay in jail with a maximum duration of 60 days, a $600 to $10,000 fine, and suspension of driving privileges for 2 years. A second offense also includes the installation of an interlock system at the driver's expense.
A third offense will warrant a mandatory 150-day jail stay with a minimum of 180 days, which can be spent on a prison treatment program, a $1,000 to $15,000 fine, and suspension of driving privileges for 8 years.
A fourth offense will require a one-year mandatory prison sentence, with a minimum of two years and not more than five years in prison, and suspension of driving privileges for ten years. A fifth offense will result in a lifetime suspension of driving rights, a mandatory one year of jail time, and a $2,000 to $50,000 fine.
Refusal of sobriety tests
One can refuse to take a roadside sobriety test or a breath test since refusal cannot be admitted in court as evidence. Most lawyers therefore advice their clients not to participate in these tests without proper representation. However, refusal could lead to suspension of one's driver's license for 180 days.
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