The standard penalties for a first DUI / OUI conviction in Massachusetts are as follows:
In practice, these penalties are generally reduced for first offenders, who are often sentenced under section 24D of the Massachusetts OUI statute. These alternative sentencing guidelines typically involve:
Monetary costs of a DUI are significant but may have less impact on your life than jail time or the loss of your ability to drive. Still, the OUI / DUI fines are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the financial impact of a conviction.
If convicted, court-imposed OUI and DUI fines in the range of $500 to $5,000 will be left to the court’s discretion. This can be expensive, but fines aren’t the only financial costs of a DUI / OUI in Massachusetts. Additional mandatory fees can include:
Beyond mandatory expenses, there are also many less obvious costs of a DUI / OUI. For example, consider these costs related to a loss of driving privileges:
Thousands of dollars are at stake in any given Massachusetts OUI case. An experienced OUI attorney can help you plan to address, mitigate, or (in some cases) avoid these costs. It may even be possible for your attorney to gain you access to an affordable payment plan to help you resolve the costs over time.
There are non-monetary costs to consider as well. Every OUI / DUI in Massachusetts carries the risk of jail time, although probation is most common for a first offense.
Unless the case is thrown out or dismissed, it’s wise to anticipate at least a few months of total license suspension time. Even on the low end, citizens charged with OUI must consider the automatic 30-day suspension for failing a breathalyzer (or 180 days for refusing the test) and a separate 45-90 day court-imposed suspension even if they agree to a CWOF and alternative disposition (and are never convicted of a crime).
The total length of time you’ll be without your license depends on many factors. Don’t forget that your license will not be returned automatically after the suspension period is over, either; you’ll have to take steps to apply for license reinstatement.
Finally, a first DUI / OUI conviction will stay on your permanent criminal record for life. Even a CWOF can affect you in the long term since the Massachusetts RMV considers a CWOF a first offense on your permanent driving record.
These potentially long-lasting costs of a DUI / OUI can have both financial and intangible impact on your day-to-day life. Retain an experienced OUI attorney to discuss your case’s facts and learn how best to minimize the risks and costs of a DUI in Massachusetts.