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In Massachusetts, a person’s driving record is not subject to sealing and records of DUI convictions are accessible to the public, pursuant to the Lacey Packer Law.  Offenses and violations do not “drop off” of a person’s driving record, which is maintained by the Merit Rating Board and utilized by insurance companies and the Massachusetts […]

The Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles does not operate in a vacuum, meaning that out of state convictions and license suspensions will “follow” you to Massachusetts, if you have a Massachusetts Driver’s License or if you are a Massachusetts resident. This is because there is a nationwide system in place to prevent drivers who are

The Cape Cod Times reported that the Mashpee Police Department filed an immediate threat complaint against a 23 year old Marstons Mills man as a result of a rear-end motor vehicle accident which occurred this morning. Police file these complaints with the Registry pursuant to G.L. c. 90, § 22(a), which triggers the immediate suspension

The Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles will indefinitely suspend or revoke your driver’s license or right to drive indefinitely when a police officer files a report indicating that allowing you to keep your license may endanger public safety. This occurs when an officer observes or has dangerous driving brought to his or her attention. In

The case of Dascoli v. Board of Appeal on Motor Vehicle Liability Policies and Bonds, 80 Mass. App. Ct. 1111 (2011), illustrates the importance of appealing chemical test refusal suspensions to the Registry in Boston within the statutory 15 day appeal period. Dascoli claimed that the police gave him incorrect information in connection with this

Massachusetts residents who are arrested for DUI in Connecticut may have to contend with the Connecticut Ignition Interlock Law.  Specifically, Connecticut General Statute §14-227a (g) requires that any motor vehicle operator who has two convictions of operating under the influence of alcohol or drugs within ten years, must serve a suspension period of one year

The Registry of Motor Vehicles will suspend or revoke your Massachusetts Driver’s License, or right to operate in Massachusetts, whenever the Registry receives notification from the police that you used or were found in possession of a so-called “fake ID” or license belonging to another. This violation carries a 6 month license suspension. Being caught

If the Registry suspends your license or right to drive in Massachusetts, you cannot even legally drive a moped or motorized scooter. Under Massachusetts law, a valid Massachusetts learner’s permit or driver’s license is required to operate mopeds or scooters. This means that a license suspension prevents you from legally driving not only a car

I have been dealing with the issue of whether a CWOF counts as a prior conviction with respect to breathalyzer refusal suspensions for years, and I was pleased to have written the Amicus Brief in the case of Souza v. Registrar. The court’s ruling vindicated the argument that I had been making at the Board