Knowing the differences between OUI / DUI laws in MA and other states across the country can be challenging. DUI laws (or OUI laws, if you’re in Massachusetts) can be similar from state-to-state, but their differences can significantly affect how a first DUI / OUI is treated.

When it comes to convicting someone of a DUI, there are few pieces of evidence more commonly cited than the breathalyzer. For better or for worse, breathalyzer results tend to hold a lot of sway over the final decision made in court. However, as reports of Massachusetts breathalyzer problems continue to flood in, things are starting to change.

DUI laws in Massachusetts are incredibly strict and rank among some of the harshest in the country when it comes to the penalties for a conviction. If you have multiple DUI charges on your Massachusetts record, then getting charged again can leave you in a tough spot, to say the least.

Getting your first DUI can involve a lot of things. Between the driver’s license suspension, financial costs, court appearances, and potential arrest and jail time, the cost of a DUI is a complicated thing to measure.

If you’re going to trial for any offense, it is technically possible for you to choose to represent yourself. You have a right to a lawyer, of course, but you also have the right to refuse one. However, representing yourself in court is rarely the ideal choice, especially when it comes to a first offense DUI trial.

Getting charged with a DUI, especially if it’s your first DUI, is a scary, overwhelming experience. All of a sudden, you’re staring down a litany of consequences and procedures that you’re probably not familiar with, and somehow, you’re expected to know how to manage it all.

Getting a DUI is a stressful experience for a lot of reasons. Between the trial in court, potentially lengthy license suspensions, and if you’ve had multiple DUIs, a high-chance of jail time, there’s a lot to keep in mind. Another question you have to consider is, can you get a job with a DUI?

It’s almost always beneficial to fight a second OUI charge instead of pleading guilty. Here are the three central reasons why:

There is no law that prohibits employers from hiring people with two DUIs on their criminal record.

If you’ve been arrested for DUI for the second time, it’s natural to feel scared. A second DUI offense threatens you with more significant consequences and fewer options for leniency than those available to first offenders.