Massachusetts Registry News

In order to be convicted of driving on a suspended license, in violation of G.L. c. 90 § 23, the prosecution must show (1) that the defendant operated a motor vehicle, (2) that at time of operation the defendant’s license was revoked or suspended, (3) that the license suspension or revocation was pursuant to violation […]

Some Massachusetts hardship license applicants are confused with respect to the license reinstatement fees which the Registry charges. They mistakenly believe that they will have to pay the reinstatement fees twice, once to get a hardship license and again to get a full reinstatement. This is incorrect. The Registry only charges one reinstatement fee per

When presenting a case before the Board of Appeal, it is critical to remember that, with a few narrow exceptions, under Superior Court Standing Order 1-96, ¶ 4, “no testimony or other evidence shall be presented” and a claim for judicial review “shall be resolved through a motion for judgment on the pleadings…” This means

A person is habitual traffic offender in Massachusetts when the Registry’s records show that he or she has accumulated convictions for any combination of 3 major and/or 12 minor traffic violations in any rolling 5 year period. For the purposes of determining who is a habitual traffic offender, major violations are OUI, which is also

As a result of a false license scheme uncovered by the Massachusetts State Police Compliance Unit and the Registry of Motor VehiclesAuditors, the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office reported yesterday that indictments were returned against Jaaziel Dallacosta for producing false driver’s licenses, in violation of G.L. c. 90 § 24B, (5 counts), Attempted Falsification of a

The Boston Globe reported today that the National Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) criticized Massachusetts for not doing enough to combat repeat drunk drivers.  Once source of criticism was the state’s failure to have a crime called “aggravated DUI” where offenders who have a blood alcohol content of .15 or greater would be subjected to enhanced

This morning I received this e-mail from a gentleman who is looking for help, after trying to represent himself before the Board of Appeal and losing twice. Unfortunately, there’s nothing that I can do for him at this point and he will likely have to serve his entire suspension, with no hardship license. If he

Today the Boston Herald reported on the failure of a bill proposed by Senator Robert Hedlund which would have closed what critics call a “loophole” in Melanie’s  Law,  which was enacted on October 28, 2005, as “an act increasing penalties for drunk drivers in the Commonwealth.”  Boston Herald reporter David Wedge criticized this legislation in

The issuance of Hardship Driver’s Licenses in Massachusetts is far from automatic. I spoke with a client today who learned this the hard way. Like many, he made the costly mistake of appearing before the Board of Appeal without a lawyer, after being denied a hardship license from the Registry of Motor Vehicles. Not surprisingly,