DUI Lawyer in Franklin, MA

Getting stopped on the road in Franklin and charged with OUI is a serious situation that moves quickly and leaves little room for delay. Massachusetts law is strict, and the decisions you make early on can affect your license, your record, and your daily life for years.

If you are looking for a DUI lawyer in Franklin, MA, Riccio Law handles OUI defense across Massachusetts and can help you understand exactly what you are up against.

Massachusetts DUI Charges

Under M.G.L. c. 90, § 24, you can face an OUI charge based on a BAC of .08 or higher, or simply because an officer believes your ability to drive was impaired by alcohol, marijuana, prescription medication, or other drugs.

Cases without a clear BAC reading still move forward. Prosecutors rely on field sobriety tests, officer observations, and dashcam footage. Knowing what the Commonwealth needs to prove is the first step toward building a real defense.

The Penalties

A first OUI offense in Massachusetts carries up to 2.5 years in jail and fines between $500 and $5,000, plus additional statutory assessments on top of that. A second offense raises the floor significantly, with a mandatory minimum of 30 days actually served before any release credit applies. By the third offense, you are looking at potential state prison time.

The license consequences often hit harder than the criminal penalties. Refusing a breath test triggers an automatic 180-day RMV suspension, completely separate from what happens in court. With two prior OUI-related events on your record, that refusal suspension climbs to five years. The RMV and the court are two different tracks running at the same time, and both need attention from day one.

The Section 24D Program for First-Time Offenders

Eligible first-time OUI defendants in Massachusetts may qualify for the Section 24D disposition, a probationary path that includes a driver alcohol education program and a license suspension of 45 to 90 days, rather than a full criminal conviction. It is not automatic, and it is not available in every case. If the incident involved serious injury or death, 24D is off the table entirely.

Drivers under 21 face a separate track as well. Under § 24P, a BAC of .02 or higher after an arrest is enough to trigger a 180-day suspension, and that runs in addition to any court-ordered penalties.

Talk to Riccio Law About Your Case

A DUI lawyer in Franklin, MA, who knows Massachusetts OUI law can walk you through what the evidence shows, which programs you may qualify for, and how to protect your driving privileges while your case is pending. As your DUI lawyer in Franklin, MA, we handle everything from first-offense cases to Melanie’s Law defense and license reinstatement matters.

Do not wait to get answers. Call Riccio Law at (617) 404-8878 or use the contact form.