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 A Massachusetts DWI, DUI, OUI, or drunk driving conviction can have severe and lifelong consequences. These DUI penalties and consequences must be carefully considered when deciding whether to plead out or take you DUI case to trial. Also, it is important to remember that these are the current consequences for an OUI conviction. Nothing would prevent the Massachusetts Legislature from enacting more severe penalties in the future, as the Legislature did with Melanie’s Law.
A First Offense OUI conviction usually results in probation for 1 year, fines, fees, alcohol classes, and a criminal record. It will also trigger a 45 day to 1 year license suspension.
An OUI conviction, even for a first offense, which entered after May of 1994, is a lifetime disqualifier for a Massachusetts License to Carry Firearms.
If you are convicted of a 2nd or subsequent offense DUI, anytime in your life, you will be required to operate only those motor vehicles equipped with an ignition interlock device. Because of Melanie’s Law, this interlock requirement will be in place during any hardship license and for 2 years after getting your full license reinstated.
If you refuse a chemical breath or blood test (breathalyzer) after having been previously convicted of OUI, your license will be revoked for 3 years for a 2nd offense, 5 years for a 3rd offense, and lifetime for a 4th offense. There is no ability to get a hardship license during these CTR license suspensions.
A first offense conviction or even a continuance without a finding (CWOF) means that if you are arrested for DUI again, you will be treated as a second offender. If you are convicted of 2nd offense OUI, you must serve either 14 days in an alcohol treatment program or 30 days in jail. This is a minimum mandatory sentence. Many 2nd offenders have wished that they fought their first offense.
A DUI conviction or CWOF will increase will likely substantially increase your automobile insurance premiums.
In Canada, even a first offense DUI is a felony. Therefore, if you have even one DUI conviction on your record, under the Immigration Act, you will likely be denied entry into Canada.
Finally, a DUI conviciton could disqualify you from some law enforcement or government positions.
Read more about DUI consequences in the Mass. DUI Laws and Penalties section of this website.
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