Operating Under the Influence

Experienced Massachusetts OUI Defense Attorney

If you are stopped for drunk driving in Massachusetts, you will be asked to take a field sobriety test, and possibly a breath alcohol test and / or a blood alcohol test. You have the absolute right to refuse these tests. Examples of the field sobriety tests include saying the ABC's, walking heal to toe or touching your nose with your forefinger. If you refuse the breath test your license to operate a vehicle will be suspended. There is no penalty however for refusing sobriety or field tests. In most instances evidence of field sobriety tests and breath or blood tests can be used against you. In certain instances however, this office may be able to prevent the prosecution from using the results of those tests against you.

Prior Drunk Driving Offenses

Massachusetts law now allows for a life time look back for prior drunk driving offenses in determining the level of the current offense. Prior law only allowed a ten-year look back to prior offenses. In other words, now if you had a drunk driving conviction from 20 years ago and get new one, the newest offense will be counted as a second offense whereas before the Court would not consider it. With each increase in level of offenses, whether it's charged as a second, third or fourth offense the penalty, punishment and jail time a person faces increases dramatically. Our office is experienced and has been quite successful in having prior offenses not considered in the determining the level of offense or punishment of the new charge. If you are charged as a repeat offender it is absolutely critical that you have the prior offenses examined to determine whether they can be removed from consideration in the new case.

OUI Conviction

Conviction for OUI can result in serious, life-changing consequences that affect your family and your ability to earn a living. At the law firm of OUI defense attorney Andrew H. P. Norton, we have been defending against drunk driving charges  since 1989, and we have the resources and the skill needed to effectively defend you in and out of court.

From our offices in Brockton, Massachusetts, we represent clients in the communities of Plymouth, Quincy, Braintree, and Wareham; in Plymouth, Norfolk, and Bristol Counties; on Cape Cod; and throughout southeastern Massachusetts.

We will meet with you in person - in jail if necessary - to discuss and evaluate your case. The unreliability of field sobriety tests, breath alcohol tests, and blood alcohol tests can be the basis of your defense, as can an unlawful stop lacking probable cause. We may file a motion to suppress evidence or seek to have your case dismissed. For charged repeat offenders we will also look to have prior offenses not considered in the new case. We will attend motion hearings and pretrial hearings, and negotiate plea settlements on your behalf if appropriate. If your case goes to trial, we will aggressively defend you.

If you have been arrested for OUI, you need the experienced, skillful, and knowledgeable criminal defense that we offer. OUI cases move quickly. We urge you to contact us today for your free initial consultation.