DUI Lawyer in Cohasset, MA

A DUI charge in Massachusetts moves fast. From the moment of arrest, you are dealing with two separate tracks: a criminal case and an RMV license suspension. Both can affect your life in ways that go well beyond that first night. If you are looking for a DUI lawyer in Cohasset, MA, understanding how Massachusetts law works gives you a clearer picture of what is ahead and what can be done about it.

OUI in Massachusetts

Under M.G.L. c. 90, § 24, you can be charged not only for driving with a BAC of .08 or higher but also for operating while impaired by marijuana, prescription drugs, narcotics, or other controlled substances, even if your BAC reads zero. For drivers under 21, the threshold drops to .02, which is essentially any detectable amount.

First-offense OUI under § 24 exposes you to fines between $500 and $5,000, up to 2.5 years of potential imprisonment, and a license suspension. In practice, many first-time cases intersect with the Section 24D program, which allows an eligible defendant to complete a driver alcohol education course in exchange for probation and a reduced suspension of 45 to 90 days. A hardship license may also be available during that period.

Section 24D does not apply if the incident involved serious injury or death, and it has strict eligibility limits tied to prior history. Getting there requires understanding whether you qualify and presenting that to the court correctly.

Breathalyzer Refusal

Massachusetts is an implied consent state, which means refusing the breath test triggers an immediate RMV suspension separate from anything the court does. A standard first refusal carries a 180-day suspension. That number jumps to three years if you are under 21 or have a prior OUI-related history, and it can reach a lifetime suspension with three or more qualifying priors.

Repeat Offenses and Melanie’s Law

A prior OUI on your record changes everything. Second offenses carry a 30-day mandatory minimum before any release credits kick in. For a third offense, the floor jumps to 150 days, and state prison becomes a real possibility.

Melanie’s Law further layers on ignition interlock device requirements for multiple offenders, with a minimum restriction period of two years, and longer if an IID is part of a hardship license arrangement.

Prior OUI history also determines hardship license eligibility and affects how the RMV handles your case independently of the court outcome.

Talk to Our DUI Lawyer in Cohasset, MA, Before You Do Anything Else

The decisions made in the first days after an OUI arrest can shape the rest of the case. Our team of DUI lawyers in Cohasset, MA, works with people facing OUI-related charges across Massachusetts. We handle first offenses, repeat offenses, breathalyzer refusals, license reinstatement, and charges involving serious injury.

Reach us at (617) 404-8878 or use the contact form to speak with Riccio Law directly.