Boston DUI Lawyers Blog
A Needham woman was arrested for Massachusetts Drunk Driving Crimes last Thursday night after she struck a Massachusetts State Trooper vehicle.
The Needham woman was arraigned in Dedham District Court and charged with Operating Under the Influence of Alcohol and Negligent Operation of a Motor Vehicle.
According to police, the woman was traveling in the northbound lane on Route 109 in a construction zone when she struck the trooper’s vehicle. The Massachusetts State Police trooper was transported to the hospital with neck and back injuries.
The woman reportedly also refused to submit to a Breathalyzer Test, which triggered an automatic suspension of her driver’s license for 180 days.
The Massachusetts OUI / DUI Crime of Operating Under the Influence of Alcohol is a misdemeanor though prosecuted very aggressively in all counties. Although a first-offense OUI / DUI carries the potential for imprisonment for up to 2.5 years in the House of Corrections, Massachusetts law offers an ‘Alternative Disposition’ for first time drunk driving offenders.
For persons who take advantage of the alternative disposition, persons who admit “sufficient facts for a finding of guilty” are placed on probation for a period of time, typically one year; are ordered to enter a Drug-Alcohol Education Program; will be subjected to a loss of their driver’s license for a period of 45-90 days; and will be ordered to pay upwards of $1,000 or more of fines/fees.
In circumstances such as these where the person refused to submit to a Breathalyzer Test, any other license suspension will be incurred following the 180 day license suspension for refusing the breathalyzer test.
Although Massachusetts OUI / DUI laws makes it very attractive for first time offenders to take advantage of this Alternative Disposition, any person charged with OUI / DUI should first thoroughly evaluate the strengths/weaknesses of taking their case to trial.
The reality is that a very large percentage of drunk driving cases are very beatable. For that reason, anyone charged with a drunk driving offense should consult with an experienced OUI / DUI Lawyer.
Boston DUI Lawyer Lefteris K. Travayiakis has experience in successfully defending Massachusetts Drunk Driving Charges, including Operating Under the Influence of Alcohol and Negligent Operation of a Motor Vehicle.
Attorney Lefteris K. Travayiakis is available 24/7 for free consultation.
Click Here to Schedule a Consultation with a Massachusetts DUI / OUI Lawyer or call 617-325-9500.