Felony OUI in Massachusetts

Name: Felony OUI
Brand: Gilman Law
Rating: 4.9 (532 reviews)

A third, fourth or subsequent OUI conviction is a felony. While a first or second OUI offense are misdemeanors and allow for alternative sentencing and dispositions, this is not the case for drivers with two, three, or more prior convictions. With the Massachusetts “lifetime lookback,” any DUI or OUI offense, in any state, even from years in the past, comes into play, leading to an OUI being a felony charge.

What is a felony OUI?

A felony OUI is a third or fourth charge for drunk or drug intoxicated driving. A felony is the most serious type of criminal charge and comes with a mandatory period of incarceration – a conviction will include time spent behind bars. Beyond the stress, awful conditions, and loss of income from employment while incarcerated, once released, your life will never be the same. A felony conviction on your criminal record can easily be found by any potential employer, landlord, or even relationship partner. A felony conviction can lead to losing any professional license, leaving you unable to practice your profession, find a job, or enjoy the quality of life you had before the conviction.

What are the penalties for felony OUI in Massachusetts?

A felony OUI conviction can lead to severe penalties, including:

Fines from $1,000 to $15,000
Up to five years incarceration, with at least six months mandatory
Up to a lifetime license suspension
Limited Hardship License Opportunities at least two years following a conviction.
Once right to drive restored, installation of an ignition interlock device at your own expense for an extensive period of time.

Other consequences for felony OUI conviction

Beyond being forced to spend time behind bars, a felony conviction includes:

Risk of deportation for non-citizens
Loss of right to own a firearm
Restrictions on employment opportunities

Accidents, injuries, and felony OUI charges

Even if you have a clean record, and no prior convictions for OUI, if you are accused of causing an accident with serious injuries or loss of life due to drug or alcohol intoxication, you may face a felony charge. Any auto accident, even minor, is stressful and frightening. If law enforcement claims you failed field sobriety tests, which led to your arrest, the failed tests may be the result of an injury, airbag deployment, or the shock of the collision. Every case has unique facts – a full review of exactly what occurred is one of the critical factors of crafting a successful defense case. At Gilman Law, our attorneys get to work fast – we know the stakes are high.

Can you fight a felony OUI charge?

If you are accused of committing a felony OUI offense, whether due to having two or more OUI convictions in the past, or due to being accused of causing an accident, you have the right to defend yourself. The quality, experience, and knowledge of the criminal justice system and the RMV can make all the difference in the outcome of a felony OUI charge. Step one is to ensure you exercise your right to remain silent, and your right to an attorney.

Why Gilman Law?

If you are accused of a felony OUI offense, you are at risk of facing very serious consequences. At Gilman Law, we act quickly on behalf of the people we serve. We offer payment plans for our legal services and charge flat fees for many services. The first step in defending against a felony OUI charge is a full review of every piece of evidence that led to the charge. Law enforcement officers are not perfect, and may have made an error, whether in the initial police stop, in roadside testing, in the arrest itself, when performing breath testing, blood testing, or other aspects of the prosecutor’s case.

At Gilman Law, we are very familiar with identifying the flaws in a prosecutor’s case. We bring these errors to the attention of a jury, in a professional and persuasive manner. Your future freedom, in large part, will hinge on the confidence, professionalism, and knowledge of your defense lawyer. For a free case consultation, call Gilman Law today.