Massachusetts DUI
Legal Article GuideBy: Eddie Tobey
Massachusetts revised its DUI/OUI laws as of July 2003 to consider anyone with a blood alcohol level over .08 as driving under the influence. However, most simple first time DUI offenders are often charged and handled as "alternative disposition" probation plea bargains. This means that the offender has to participate in a mandatory drug or alcohol education program and their license is temporarily suspended.
The law is a little different for offenders under the age of 21. According to Massachusetts law, consumption of alcohol by anyone under the age of 21 is prohibited. Furthermore, the blood alcohol level of people below 21 years of age should not be more than .02, as opposed to .08 for people above 21 years of age.
Offenders under 21 years of age with a blood alcohol ratio of over .02 can have their licenses suspended. If the underage offender refuses to submit to a breath test, the suspension of the license is increased from 180 days to one year.
Almost the same rules apply for offenders under the age of 18. Blood alcohol levels between .02 and .04 may result in the suspension of the license for 1 year, though that may be reduced if the offender voluntarily enters and completes a youth alcohol program.
The state of Massachusetts also offers a Driver Alcohol Education Program (DAEP) for people charged with a First Offence DUI. Most of the offenders participating in this program are referred by area district courts and are placed on probation for the duration of the program. This program can act as an alternative to longer periods without a license, heavier fines, and in extreme cases, incarceration.
The program has an intake assessment and holds 32 hours of group meetings spread over sixteen weeks, exposure to self-help groups by attending two meetings in the offender?s community and a presentation of the impact of DUI on victims by reputed speakers.
Obviously, any case involving accidents, injuries, or death caused by DUI is subject to penalties that are a lot stiffer than a simple DUI arrest. These include longer prison sentences, greater fines, and longer license suspensions.
Massachusetts DUI provides detailed information on Massachusetts DUI, Massachusetts DUI Arrests, Massachusetts DUI Attorneys, Massachusetts DUI Defense and more. Massachusetts DUI is affiliated with Florida DUI Attorneys.
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