Massachusetts DUI Laws

DUI Law

Drunk driving―or operating under the influence (OUI)―is a serious crime in Massachusetts. You will not only face penalties from the courts but you will also face penalties by the Registry of Motor Vehicles.

Between the two, you could face license suspension, steep fines, and even jail.

Massachusetts OUI Defined

Massachusetts uses your blood alcohol content (BAC) to determine whether you're legally driving under the influence. Below are the BAC limits and their corresponding ages or qualifiers:
•0.08% or higher―Drivers 21 years old or older operating regular passenger vehicles.
•0.04% or higher―Drivers operating commercial vehicles.
•0.02% or higher―Drivers younger than 21 years old.

Additional Drug and Alcohol Crimes

Massachusetts mandates additional drug- and alcohol-related laws, beyond typical OUI laws.

Open Container Law

It's illegal to operate a motor vehicle with an open container of alcohol anywhere in the vehicle, no matter who's holding it. This means you can't drive with an empty liquor bottle in your backseat, nor have a passenger drinking a can of beer.

Break this law and you face a $100 - $500 fine.

Other Medications and Drugs

You can also expect an officer to pull you over if any prescription, illegal drug, or over-the-counter medication is affecting your ability to drive. Depending on factors specific to your case, you could face an OUI conviction just as you would for drunk driving.

Furthermore, the state will revoke your learner's permit or driver's license for any drug conviction. Revocation periods vary between 1 year and 5 years.

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Thai National Sentenced, Faces Deportation for Operating Immigration Fraud Scheme

Nimon Naphaeng, 36, a native and citizen of Thailand, who resided in Wakefield, R.I., was sentenced Monday to 27 months in federal prison for running an immigration fraud scheme that defrauded more than 320 individuals, most of them immigrants, of at least $400,000, and perhaps more than $518,000. The scheme included the unauthorized filing of false asylum applications on behalf of individuals who did not request, nor authorize, the applications.

“U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services does not tolerate immigration fraud of any kind,” said Susan Raufer, director of the USCIS Newark Asylum Office. “We are proud of our role in uncovering this fraud scheme and bringing the perpetrator to justice.”

At sentencing, U.S. District Court Chief Judge William E. Smith ordered a provisional amount of restitution of $400,000. The final amount of restitution will be determined subject to additional victims being identified and additional court filings over the next 90 days. According to court documents already filed by the government, restitution in this matter may exceed $518,300. During the investigation, the government seized $285,789.31 from Naphaeng. The forfeited funds will be applied toward restitution for victims of Naphaeng’s crimes.

Business News

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