Boston OUI/DUI Defense Blog

Three things NOT to do if you're stopped on suspicion of OUI/DUI

On behalf of Attorney John B. Seed on Tuesday, February 19, 2019.

If you are stopped by law enforcement on suspicion of DUI or OUI, you need to be careful about what you say. If you make mistakes when you're talking to police, it could be harder to reach the best possible outcome.

The help of a defense attorney can often make a big difference. In any Massachusetts drunk driving case, many factors are involved in proving a driver guilty of OUI or DUI. Even with a conviction, there are still things your attorney can do to make sure a charge will impact you as little as possible.

How does a DUI conviction affect your employment?

On behalf of Attorney John B. Seed posted in drunk driving on Sunday, February 17, 2019.

If you face DUI charges in Massachusetts, you undoubtedly have plenty of reasons why you do not want to be convicted of this crime. What you may not have thought about, however, is the effect of a DUI conviction on your current and future employment prospects.

As FindLaw points out, any type of a conviction on your record, including one for DUI, could negatively impact your employment opportunities for years to come. For instance, if you currently attend college or a professional post-graduate school and require a license to practice your chosen profession, the licensing board tasked with handing out that license may well refuse to give you one if they discover a criminal conviction in your background.

What happens in court when you appeal your license revocation?

On behalf of Attorney John B. Seed posted in drivers license suspension or revocation on Friday, February 15, 2019.

If you have been accused of driving under the influence of alcohol and have subsequently been required to surrender your license, you may be looking for alternatives to help you get your driving privileges back as soon as possible. Fortunately, the state of Massachusetts does allow you to appeal the decision made by the court. An appeal can be filed via mail or an online platform.

Once your appeal is received, you will be given an allotted time to attend a court hearing for your situation. According to Mass.gov, your opportunity to represent your feelings and concerns will come after a representative for the courts provides the judge with a brief description of your case. They will disclose what actions you participated in that resulted in the revocation of your license in the first place. This information will be supported by things like your driving history and any infractions you may have received.

Four things that can happen after an OUI/DUI arrest

On behalf of Attorney John B. Seed on Friday, February 15, 2019.

Imagine stopping by your favorite pub on your way home from work. After you spend a couple of hours relaxing with your friends, you climb back into your car to continue your journey home.

But only a short distance from your house, you suddenly see red and blue lights flashing from behind you. The next thing you know, you are in the back of a squad car and on your way to jail on suspicion of drunk driving.

DUI and child passengers

On behalf of Attorney John B. Seed posted in drunk driving on Friday, February 1, 2019.

If you are under arrest for a DUI in Massachusetts and there was a minor in the vehicle at the time, you can expect more legal troubles than just those associated with drinking and driving. The state considers this to be child endangerment, and the consequences can be severe. If this is your situation, it is imperative you hire an attorney who can explain your options.

How big of a problem is this? The Centers for Disease Control states that around 20% of child fatalities are due to drunk driving and that in over 50% of the cases, it is the driver of the child who is driving over the limit. The majority of minor passengers in alcohol-related accidents are also not wearing the proper safety restraint.

What you should know about the American criminal justice system

On behalf of Attorney John B. Seed on Thursday, January 31, 2019.

The criminal justice system in the United States is very interesting for several reasons. For people who are involved in the system as defendants, the things that differentiate it from other models can also cause confusion.

It is imperative for anyone who is facing criminal charges to understand some of the nuances. In most cases, having the right information can make the difference between feeling stressed out and overwhelmed and being able to cope with the process.

When your spouse is charged with drunk driving

On behalf of Attorney John B. Seed posted in drunk driving on Friday, January 25, 2019.

DUI charges can be difficult whenever they arise, but when a loved one is charged with drunk driving it can be especially difficult for a number of reasons. For example, someone may lose respect for their child or spouse when drunk driving charges emerge, and these allegations can also create a rift within a couple’s relationship. Unfortunately, this can make it even harder for someone who has been charged with operating a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol to move forward in their life.

If your spouse is facing DUI charges, there may be a multitude of challenges that you have to deal with. For example, they could lose their driving privileges, which may disrupt your life in numerous ways. Whether you have to take them to work or you are no longer able to depend on them for transportation or bringing your children to activities and events, it can be extremely difficult for an entire family when someone loses their driving privileges.

How does a DUI affect travel?

On behalf of Attorney John B. Seed posted in drunk driving on Monday, January 21, 2019.

If you have a DUI conviction in Massachusetts, and you enjoy international travel, you may find there are limits as to where you can go. While a DUI generally does not affect your ability to travel within the United States, there are some countries that see it as a felony and restrict entry. This is another good reason why you should hire an attorney to help you fight the charge of drinking and driving.

Think our friends to the north and south would ignore a DUI conviction? Think again. USA Today reports both Canada and Mexico may restrict entry due to a DUI, and Canada is especially strict regarding the charge because it considers a DUI to be a felony. There is a better chance you are able to cross into the country if you have a clean record otherwise, you did not go to jail and you pay a fine of $200.

Underage drunk driving can bring serious legal difficulties

On behalf of Attorney John B. Seed on Thursday, January 17, 2019.

The problem of drunk driving isn't limited to adults who can legally drink. Underage drinking, which occurs when a person under 21 consumes alcohol and then drives, is against the law in all states.

In Massachusetts, the law sets the blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit for people under 21 at .02 percent. This is such a small amount that drivers below this age can't drink at all without facing the possibility of being arrested for drunk driving.

Underage drinking and breath test refusal

On behalf of Attorney John B. Seed posted in breath test refusal on Friday, January 11, 2019.

When someone is pulled over for DUI, they may be flooded with uncertainty and negative emotions such as extreme stress and fear. This can be a very difficult position to find yourself in, to say the least. Some people decide to refuse a breath test for various reasons, but it is important to be aware that doing so may lead to various consequences. We have discussed many of the consequences of breath test refusal and drunk driving in general on our blog. However, it is important to remember that a driver's age may also have an impact on the consequences they face.

When someone refuses to submit to a breath test and they are under the age of 21, they may face significantly harsher penalties. This is important to keep in mind if you are a teen driver or you have a child who is under 21 and drives. To make things even more complicated, zero tolerance laws mean that underage drivers who are found to have any amount of alcohol in their system may be charged with driving under the influence.