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I spoke with a gentleman last week who had pled out to a first offense OUI. He was represented by a DUI lawyer, who advised him to “plead out,” so that he could get back on the road as soon as possible. He had a very defensible case as there were no field sobriety tests […]

An operating under the influence conviction can carry unforeseen c collateral consequences which can permanently haunt those convicted of DUI. For example, The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) allows the U.S. Coast Guard to request and receive information from the National Driver Register regarding the driving records of any applicant, cadet, or member of

Hardship licenses are not automatically issued and neither the RMV Appeal Board nor the Registry will grant a hardship license unless there is evidence that the driver’s alcohol issue has been addressed. Therefore, one of the key documents which the Board of Appeal looks for in hardship license hearings for second and subsequent DUI offenders

In the case of DiGregorio v. Registrar of Motor Vehicles, Docket No.: No. 10-P-292 (February 17, 2011), the Massachusetts Appeals Court has ruled that the Registry of Motor Vehicles must commence out of state DUI suspensions as of the date of the out of state drunk driving conviction and not when the Mass. Registry learns

In 2005, Massachusetts enacted Chapter 122 of the Acts of 2005. More commonly known as Melanie’s Law, the express purpose of the legislation was to increase penalties for drunk drivers In Massachusetts. The law forces repeat OUI offenders to use the ignition interlock device, it imposes harsh administrative license suspension penalties for chemical test refusals,

Prior to appearing before the Board of Appeal at a Hardship License Hearing, it is important to have as many “loose ends” tied up. This is especially true if your license or right to drive is suspended or revoked in another state. The Board will not override a National Driver Register (NDR) suspension or revocation. Therefore,

Pursuant to G.L. c. 277 § 70C, in some suspended license, no liability policy, unlicensed operation, and other misdemeanor cases, the prosecution or the court may reduce the criminal charge suspension to a non-criminal civil infraction or violation.  This is an attractive option, because it can be resolved with the payment of a fine. However, even when a criminal

Driving on a suspended license can hurt your chances of getting a hardship license from either the Registry of Motor Vehicles or the Division of Insurance Board of Appeal. The Board members believe that driving on a suspended license shows a lack of respect for the law and the Board of Appeal has interpreted this

Even a first offense DUI in Massachusetts can cost thousands of dollars and many of the costs are “hidden.” It starts with the towing and storage fees. Under Melanie’s Law, the police are required to tow and impound vehicles of those drivers who refuse to submit to a breathalyzer or blood alcohol test.  The police