Massachusetts Drunk Driving Law

OFFENSE ELEMENTS

Operation of MV
On Public Way
With a Blood Alcohol of .08 or greater, or
Operating while under influence of alcohol. i.e., the ability to operate safely is diminished by the consumption of alcohol
All operators are deemed to have consented to a breath test administered by a police officer by virtue of driving
Applies if you are arrested for OUI
Refusals to take the breath test will result in license loss of anywhere from 180 days to life
The duration of license loss for BT refusal depends on prior convictions and age of offender

Breath Test Refusal Penalties

First Offender 180 days
Second Offender or Under 21 3 yrs + 180 days (waived if in 24P program)
Third Offender 5 years
Fourth Offender 10 Years
Fifth Offender Life
Prior offense includes prior OUI, OUI and serious injury and MV homicide
No hardship license from suspensions imposed for Breath Test refusals, except in the case of a first offender who is enrolled in the OUI program.
License may be restored after an acquittal

Breath Test Failure Consequences

Immediate loss of license to police officer for 30 days or until case is disposed of by plea or trial, whichever comes first
Automobile is impounded for 12 hours
Breath Test result of .08 or above is admissible in prosecution provided test is administered in accordance with law.
Represents a “per se” violation of statute

Penalties for Conviction

First Offense Over Age 21

Statutory penalty:
- Fine of not less than $500 nor more than $5,000, or
- Imprisonment in jail for not more than 2 ½ years in House of Correction, or
- Both a fine and imprisonment
- License loss 1 year
Alternate Disposition for First Offenders under G.L. c. 90, §24D
- Two years probation, entry into approved OUI program, pay program costs and assessments, probation supervision fees
- License loss of 45-90 days
- Hardship license available after enrollment in program on limited basis
- Fines and community service may be assessed.

Penalties for First Conviction

Under Age 21

A person under age 21 loses their license for 210 days for first offense conviction for OUI even if they enter G.L. c. 90, § 24D program, but is eligible for 12 hour hardship license upon enrollment in program.
An additional license loss of 180 days is imposed under G.L. c. 90, § 24P – this may be avoided by attendance at special underage drinking program
If the Breath Test result for a person between the age of 17 and 21 inclusive, is not less than .20, the first offender program is not available and the individual must attend a rehabilitation program known as the“14 day second offender in-home program.”

Second Offense

Fine of not less than $600 nor more than $10,000, AND
Imprisonment for not less than 60 days nor more than 2 ½ years
Minimum Mandatory Sentence of 30 days
License loss of two years
Assessments and fees applicable
Alternate Second Offender Disposition Available
- Mandatory in-patient treatment at a residential alcohol treatment facility for 14 days, with aftercare
- Two years probation
- Two year license loss
- Hardship license available after six months with ignition lock
- Program costs and assessments applicable
Prior Convictions more than 10 years old may render a person eligible for first offender program once in a lifetime.
Persons eligible for any of the programs are presumed to be an appropriate candidate for the program.
A judge may deny admission of an otherwise eligible defendant to a program, but must make specific written findings that a defendant is not a suitable candidate.
Defendant not eligible for first offender program if serious bodily injury or death was caused in the events that gave rise to the conviction for OUI.
Persons who are domiciled out of state may be allowed to attend out of state programs
Defendants pay the costs associated with the programs
Probation fee of $250 in addition to program fees
Court may impose a minimum of 30 hours of community service
G.L. c. 90, § 24Q
Mandatory Alcohol Assessment by Department of Public Health or court approved program
All repeat offenders
Any offender with BAC of .20 or above
Must include assessment of the level of addiction to alcohol or drugs and recommended course of treatment.
Additional fee will be charged for the assessment

Penalties for Conviction

Third Offense

Fine of not less than $1,000 nor more than $15,000, AND
Imprisonment for not less than 180 days, nor more than 2 ½ years in House of Correction or,
Imprisonment of 2 ½ – 5 years in State Prison
Minimum Mandatory Sentence of 150 days
License loss of 8 years
Hardship Available after 2 years with ignition lock

Fourth Offense

Fine of not less than $1,500 nor more than $25,000, AND
Imprisonment for not less than 2 – 2 ½ years in the House of Correction or not less than 2 ½ – 5 years in State Prison
Minimum Mandatory Sentence of 12 months
License Loss of 10 years
Hardship available after 5 years with ignition lock

Fifth Offense or More

Fine of not less than $2,000 nor more than $50,000, AND
Imprisonment of 2 ½ years to the House of Correction, or
Imprisonment of not less than 2 ½ nor more than 5 years in State Prison
Mandatory Minimum Sentence of 24 months
License Loss – Lifetime
No hardship available

Special Penalty Provisions

Any person under the age of 21, who takes a breath test with a result of .02 or greater, and who is not charged with OUI, shall have his license suspended for 180 days immediately under G.L. c. 90, § 24 P.
Lifetime revocation for persons who are convicted of OUI, MV Homicide and who have a prior OUI, OUI Homicide or OUI serious injury. G.L. c. 90, § 24R

Hardship Licenses

No hardship license from suspensions imposed for Breath Test refusals, except in the case of a first offender who is enrolled in the OUI program.
Hardship licenses are issued in the discretion of the registrar on such terms and conditions as are deemed appropriate and upon a showing the causes of the past and present violations have been dealt with or brought under control.
First offenders: 12 hour hardship license is available upon entry into program.
Second offenders: 12 hour hardship license for education or employment reasons after 12 months, provided person has completed in-patient program. After 18 months may request for a new license. Vehicle must have ignition lock to obtain hardship license
Third Offense: 12 hour hardship license for education and employment purposes after two years and a new license on a limited basis after 4 years. Vehicle must have ignition lock to obtain hardship license.
Fourth Offense: 12 hour hardship license for education and employment purposes after five years and a new license in a limited basis after 8 years. Vehicle must have ignition lock to obtain hardship license.
Fifth offense or more – No hardship license
Certified or attested copies of original court papers ACCOMPANIED BY 90:24(4)
Certified or attested copies of defendant’s biographical and informational data from records of the department of probation
Certified copies of any jail or house of corrections, the department of correction, or the registry shall be prima facie evidence that a defendant before the court had been previously convicted.
The documents are self-authenticating and admissible, after conviction of primary offense. No live witnesses or other corroborating testimony is necessary.
New Crime: G.L. c. 265, § 13 ½
Imprisonment for not less than 5 nor more than 20 years, and
A fine of not more than $25,000
Minimum Mandatory Sentence of 5 years
Manslaughter not defined in this statute
License loss of 15 years minimum, but may be up to a lifetime suspension
G.L. c. 90, § 24 ½
The device prevents the vehicle from operating if the BAC is above .02.
Device must be installed on each vehicle owned, leased or operated by a person previously convicted of OUI or similar offenses as a condition of the issuance of a new license
The device is to be installed for a period of two years (presumably from the date the new license is issued).
Device must be maintained and inspected in accordance with regulations yet to be enacted
The device will not permit operation of vehicle if BAC is .02 or above
Registrar may revoke license for up to life for two or more occasions of a failure to maintain or two or more instances of attempted use with .02 or above.
New Crimes
- Operation MV in violation of interlock device restriction
  - Fine of $1000 to $15,000
  - Imprisonment for not less than 180 days nor more than 2 ½ years, or
  - Not less than 2 ½ nor more than 5 years in State prison
  - Mandatory Minimum of 150 days.
- Tampering with Ignition lock
  - Not less than 6 months nor more than 2 ½ years H/C or
  - Not less than 3 years nor more than 5 years in state prison
- Starting a MV equipped with Ignition lock
  - Fine of not less than $1000 nor more than $5000 or
  - Imprisonment for not less than 6 months nor more than 2 ½ years,
  - Second Offense: State Prison 3-5 years

For assistance with this or any other legal problem contact Attorney Richard Sweeney at (617) 300-0212 or at RSweeney@Rsweeneylaw.com