If you have recently been arrested on suspicion of drunk driving, you may be wondering just how much trouble you may be in. After all, you may know people who have been charged with an OUI and seem like they are just fine. It is important to understand that any OUI – even a first charge – is a serious legal matter that can result in significant legal and collateral consequences.
Your first OUI can result in fines of $250 to $5,000 and jail time of up to two and half, or 2.5, years. In addition, a conviction on your record can have many personal and professional consequences, including:
- The loss of your current job
- Difficulty getting a new job
- Sanctions imposed by your college or university
- Problems renting an apartment
- Damage to your reputation in your community
Because of the severity of these potential consequences, it is in your best interest to do everything you can to fight your charge. Fighting an OUI is a complicated matter, however, so it is in your best interest to retain an experienced attorney to represent you.
An experienced criminal lawyer will be able to analyze your case and determine whether any defenses apply. For example, if the police did not have legal justification to pull you over, it may be possible to suppress any evidence they collected during the stop. Similarly, if the police made any mistakes while administering sobriety or breathalyzer tests, the results may not be used against you. It can be difficult to determine when these kinds of defenses apply without significant experience and training, so it is always a good idea to have an attorney review your case.
In the event that no defenses apply, an attorney may still be able to help you by trying to negotiate a favorable plea agreement with the prosecutor handling your case.
Also, before pleading guilty or “admitting to sufficient facts to warrant a finding of guilty” under the First Offender Disposition, it is important to know that if you are charged with another OUI offense, it will be charged as a Second Offense, which carries greater criminal penalties.
Call Us Today to Speak with a Massachusetts OUI Defense Lawyer
If you have been arrested for drunk driving, it is critical that you do everything you can to protect your rights. At McCormack Law, we are committed to helping people resolve their criminal cases as favorably as possible. To schedule your free case evaluation, call our office today or contact us online.
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FAQs
Is a first-time OUI a serious matter?
Yes. Even a first-time OUI is a criminal matter that can result in serious consequences.
If I know I was drunk, why should I call a lawyer?
Even if you end up pleading guilty, an attorney can often help mitigate the short and long-term consequences of an OUI charge.
Are breathalyzers ever wrong?
Yes, breathalyzer testing can be inaccurate.