OUI and Driving Offenses

Massachusetts courts are treating OUI charges — operating under the influence of alcohol or drugs — more and more seriously in recent years. Media reports of tragic accidents resulting in injury or death have made a significant impact on how prosecutors, judges, and jurors tend to view OUI cases. Even without an accident, a person charged with OUI needs an experienced criminal defense lawyer who knows the law and can argue your case persuasively in court.

Boston OUI Attorney David J. Grimaldi has significant experience defending clients accused of drunk driving or driving under the influence of drugs. Whether a first-offense, subsequent offense, or OUI homicide, Attorney Grimaldi has successfully defended his clients accused of OUI. For example, Attorney Grimaldi won a not guilty verdict at trial for a client charged with motor vehicle homicide by proving that the victim’s tragic death occurred independent of his client’s alcohol consumption. Earning that acquittal likely saved his client years in state prison. Attorney Grimaldi has also helped numerous clients charged with first and subsequent offense OUI quickly resolve those cases so they could move on with their lives as soon as possible.

There are many reasons why a person charged with OUI should hire the best criminal defense representation. For starters, a conviction always results in suspension of the defendant’s driver’s license, sometimes for a very long time. All of us take for granted how much we rely on our license to drive, and it is crucial for anyone charged with OUI to do all they can to reduce their risk of suspension. Further, an experienced lawyer can often assist you in securing the minimum possible suspension period, and even help you obtain a hardship license so that you can still drive to and from work, school, or your medical provider during the suspension period.

Of course, the penalties for OUI do not stop at license suspension. A person charged with OUI also faces incarceration in jail or prison, and the risk of incarceration increases in cases involving accidents, high blood alcohol concentration (BAC), or prior OUI cases. You may also be required to attend mandatory alcohol and drug education programs upon conviction.

Oftentimes, an OUI charge is accompanied by additional charges such as negligent operation of a motor vehicle, leaving the scene of an accident, or a civil marked lanes violation, all of which have their own potential consequences. Your drunk driving defense lawyer needs to know how to defend you in every aspect of your case.

Boston OUI Attorney David J. Grimaldi knows how to successfully defend OUI cases. He has the experience needed to confront the leading legal issues in OUI law, such as the admissibility of breathalyzer tests, field sobriety tests, and accident reconstruction testimony. For example, in one jury trial, Attorney Grimaldi challenged the prosecution’s accident reconstruction expert from the State Police and proved that the expert’s conclusions were wrong. Attorney Grimaldi’s cross-examination of the expert led the jury to conclude that his client did not cause the fatal accident. Attorney Grimaldi also filed and won a motion to suppress or “throw out” evidence in the drunk driving case, including statements the client allegedly made to police officers while intoxicated, that dramatically improved his client’s case and set up his future victory.

If you are charged with operating under the influence, you need an experienced OUI defense attorney with a proven history of success. Contact Attorney David J. Grimaldi at 617-661-1529 or online today.