Many friends and relatives will be visiting loved ones in Massachusetts throughout the year. Yet the holidays and vacations are a time for social gatherings and parties where alcohol is commonly served. There is no doubt that there will be some people who will get a little too drunk to drive but will get behind the wheel of a vehicle anyway. Being arrested for driving under the influence (DUI) is an unfortunate circumstance that is made all the more difficult if you are from out of state and got a DUI in Massachusetts.
What Happens in OUI Cases Involving People Who Do Not Live in the Bay State
Even if you are from out-of-state, if you are arrested for DUI in Massachusetts you will be prosecuted under the laws of the Bay State. You will be charged, and you will have a criminal hearing in Massachusetts. If you are convicted in Massachusetts of your DUI charges, you can face jail time, a fine, and a driver’s license suspension in Massachusetts.
While it may be incredibly inconvenient to have to deal with criminal charges in Massachusetts when you live somewhere else, it is critically important that you take your DUI charges seriously and hire experienced legal representation to assist you with your criminal defense. The DUI laws in Massachusetts may be different than the laws in your home state, so you will need a Massachusetts criminal defense attorney who knows the ins-and-outs of Massachusetts the criminal law and the criminal courts system to help you fight your charges.
You Will Feel the Effects of Your Massachusetts OUI Back in Your Home State
Just because you get a DUI in Massachusetts does not mean that you can return to your home state and simply forget about it. Your Massachusetts DUI is going to impact you when you get back home to your home state. Typically, the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles will notify the Department of Motor Vehicles in your home state about the DUI you got while you were in Massachusetts.
It is more likely than not that your home state will suspend your driving privileges for at least a period of six months, if not longer, as a consequence of your Massachusetts DUI. Your home state might also require that you would attend a mandatory drug or alcohol program and/or the installation of an ignition interlock system on the vehicle that you drive depending on your particular circumstances.
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