What is the Massachusetts OUI Statute?

The Massachusetts OUI Statute is a collection of laws, regulations, and consequences described in Chapter 90, Section 24 of Massachusetts General Laws. Together, these laws determine how the Commonwealth of Massachusetts will treat instances of: “Operating a motor vehicle Under the Influence of alcohol or drugs” (OUI).

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Can You Go to Jail for a Second DUI Charge in Massachusetts?

Facing a second DUI charge in Massachusetts is a stressful experience. Massachusetts has some of the harshest penalties for DUI/OUI convictions in the country, and as a result, any DUI conviction could lead to jail time.

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Here’s What Massachusetts Law Says About Underage DUI Charges

Facing an underage DUI charge is no small matter. The usual DUI consequences are harsher for drivers under the legal drinking age in Massachusetts, and the penalties for a DUI under 21 can have lasting effects on your life.

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Can You Get a DUI for Driving Under the Influence of Prescription Drugs?

While there is a stark contrast between prescription drugs and alcohol, driving while impaired by either of them carry similar consequences. Driving under the influence of legalized prescriptions, including marijuana, is still illegal and can result in a suspension of your driver’s license, and in some cases, time in prison.

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How Strict Are the Massachusetts OUI Laws Compared to Other States?

A 2017 study conducted by WalletHub (and reported on by Marketwatch) ranked Massachusetts as tied for 22nd on the list of strictest DUI laws among U.S. states. This would place Mass in the top half on overall DUI strictness but roughly average in comparison to the rest of the states. According to this list, red states tend on average to be less lenient than blue states, but Massachusetts is among the stricter blue states.

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Massachusetts OUI Laws, Consequences, and Defenses

Laws in Massachusetts for Operating Under the Influence (OUI) have become more strict and carry harsher penalties since an overhaul of the law in 2002. This makes it even more important these days to have a basic understanding of your rights, the standards set by the state for OUI, the potential consequences you may face for conviction, and the many possible defenses an attorney may pursue to fight your case.

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What You Should Know About Sobriety Checkpoints in Massachusetts

In Massachusetts, it is legal for law enforcement officers to station themselves at a checkpoint to examine drivers for signs of intoxication and impairment. These “mobile checkpoints” or “roadblocks” are part of broader efforts by law enforcement to deter drunk driving within Massachusetts borders. Sobriety checkpoints have been controversial for a long time, however, and not all states authorize their use.

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Massachusetts Residents Charged With DUI Out of State

Consider a scenario where you’re away from home, driving around in New York after a night out and are suddenly pulled over by law enforcement, fail a breathalyzer test, and find yourself facing DUI charges. What happens if you get a DUI out of state?

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Marijuana, Opioids, and DUI Law: How Massachusetts Patrols “High” OUIs

With the 2016 passage of “The Regulation and Taxation Marijuana Act,” more questions than answers have been raised about how or even if Massachusetts is able to effectively patrol and penalize the expected increase in drivers who are under the intoxicating influence of THC—or, for that matter, any other non-alcohol drug or substance, such as the opioids that have become a rising crisis in recent years.

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