As the vast majority of people are aware, Massachusetts law prohibits driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. In Massachusetts, the offense associated with drunk driving is known as “Operating Under the Influence,” or OUI. Massachusetts law enforcement agencies and prosecutors aggressively enforce these laws, and courts often impose significant penalties on offenders, particularly if they have been caught driving drunk in the past.
A 38-year-old woman arrested in Winthrop recently may soon be on the receiving end of these legal consequences. According to a report published by WCVB 5, a woman was arrested after driving erratically and striking a pedestrian in the area of Main and Revere streets. The story indicates that police responded to a call from an eyewitness who described a minivan driving erratically and eventually hitting a pedestrian, who ended up pinned underneath a military vehicle when the minivan the woman was driving hit a tree. When police requested the driver’s license, she allegedly pulled a small bottle of vodka out of her purse and attempted to drink from it. Authorities indicate that she had a 6-year-old girl and a 6-month-old boy in the car with her. Additionally, she apparently has prior drunk driving citations on her driving record from 2008 and 2010, in North Carolina and California, respectively.
Drunk driving can result in serious legal consequences
People who are convicted of drunk driving in Massachusetts can face significant legal consequences. This is especially true if there are aggravating circumstances involved, such as an injury-causing accident or the presence of young children in the car that was being driven by the allegedly drunk driver. As both of these issues were present in the case described above, it is likely that the driver of the vehicle is looking at some extremely harsh penalties. Some of these consequences may include the following:
· Probation
· Significant fines
· The installation of an ignition interlock device
· Mandatory drug or alcohol counseling
· Jail time
In addition, people who have convictions for OUI on their record may face significant collateral consequences as well. Collateral consequences are those that are not directly imposed by the court as a result of your conviction. For example, a person with a OUI conviction on their record may have difficulty obtaining certain types of employment or state-issued professional licenses. In some cases, these collateral consequences may have a more significant impact on a person’s life than the direct consequences imposed by the court. As a result, it is imperative that anyone accused of drunk driving in Massachusetts discuss their situation with an experienced lawyer as soon as possible.
Contact a Boston criminal defense attorney today to schedule a free consultation
Anyone who is facing allegations of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs should consult with an attorney immediately. The potential consequences of a OUI conviction in Massachusetts could affect you for years, so it is imperative to mount the strongest legal defense you can. To schedule a free consultation with Boston criminal defense lawyer Edward Molari, please call our office today at 617-942-1532 or send us an email through our online contact form available here.