Federal rules and also Massachusetts court precedent both help protect members of the public from state overreach. Police officers cannot conduct a search just because they want to go through someone's property and find a reason to arrest them, for example. There are...
Driving under the influence (DUI) is a serious offense in Massachusetts punishable by a fine of not less than $500 or more than $5,000 and/or imprisonment for not more than two and one-half years. Therefore, when you get pulled over for a suspected DUI, it’s important...
Drivers in Massachusetts could get arrested for an operating under the influence (OUI) charge because they fail a breath test during a traffic stop or after a car crash. Displaying poor ability at the wheel might also lead to an officer arresting someone on suspicion...
When someone’s stopped for a traffic violation and they’ve been drinking, panic can easily set in. The first instinct some people have is to flee – driving off as soon as the officer is far enough away from their vehicle that escape seems possible. Don’t give into...
The moment you see the patrol car signaling you to stop, your heart may start racing – especially if you have had a drink or two earlier. In these kinds of situations, drivers often worry whether the officer will detect the odor of alcohol on their breath or notice...
In Massachusetts, accusations of impaired driving will usually result in the loss of your driver's license. In fact, state lawmakers increased the driving-related consequences of an impaired driving charge in 2005 by passing Melanie's Law. Exactly how long you might...
Alcohol lowers your inhibitions. It makes it easier for you to take risks or do things that you would never do otherwise. It can break down some of these social conventions – your ideas about the way people expect you to act – or just make people more likely to act...
When you think about a DUI, you probably imagine drinking a lot of alcohol and ending up arrested for being drunk behind the wheel. That’s not the only time when someone can be accused of driving while impaired or arrested for it, though. In fact, if you use...
Most drunk driving enforcement in Massachusetts involves targeted efforts. Police officers can pull people over when their poor driving habits raise questions about their sobriety. Police officers frequently asked questions about substance abuse and request chemical...
Often, those who get arrested on allegations of driving under the influence are surprised that it happened. They do know that they were drinking, so it's not a complete shock. But they had no idea that they were actually impaired or that they were breaking the law....
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