Best DUI Lawyers in Lawrence, MA

FAQs

• What is the non-emergency contact number for the local police station in Lawrence, Massachusetts?

  The non-emergency contact number for the Lawrence Police Department is 978-794-5900.

• Where can I get a copy of police reports for incidents related to my case in Lawrence, Massachusetts?

  You can get a copy of a police report in Lawrence from the records division of the police department located at 90 Lowell Street. Fill out a form to process the request. You will then be contacted if the report is already available for pickup.

• Will you be charged with DUI in Lawrence if your breathalyzer test results are under 0.08?

  Yes. If you were pulled over and asked to do a breathalyzer test in Lawrence and your results came out at 0.06 or 0.07, the police officer has the discretion to pursue or not your arrest. If the police officer continues with the arrest, he or she should have additional evidence to prove that your driving was impaired. However, if the result is 0.05 or under, you should not be charged with DUI.

• Do you have to do the breathalyzer test when pulled over by cops in Lawrence?

  When you are pulled over by cops in Lawrence, you have the right to refuse to do the breathalyzer test. For drivers over the age of 21, if you decline the breathalyzer test, your license will be suspended for 180 days if you have no prior offenses; three years if you have one prior offense; five years if you have two prior offenses; and for a lifetime if you have three or more prior offenses. If you proceed with the breathalyzer test and fail, your license will automatically be suspended for 30 days with no chance of getting a hardship license.

• Will you be imprisoned for a DUI charge in Lawrence?

  Yes, you can be imprisoned for a DUI charge in Lawrence. The length of jail time will depend on how many times you have already been charged with DUI. First-time DUI offenders face imprisonment for up to two and a half years. For a person who commits a second DUI offense, jail time is 60 days to two and a half years. If it is a third DUI offense, imprisonment is 180 days to two and a half years. For the fourth DUI offense, it is two years to two and a half years in jail.

• Can you still be arrested for DUI in Lawrence without submitting to a breathalyzer test?

  Yes, it is still possible to be prosecuted and convicted for a DUI in Lawrence even without a breathalyzer test. The prosecution may use different pieces of evidence to substantiate drunk driving charges, such as field sobriety testing, officer testimony, videos, and other circumstantial evidence. Also, refusing to take a breathalyzer test can give a defendant significant leverage at trial.

• How high does a blood alcohol level have to be to be charged with a DUI in Lawrence?

  In Lawrence, drivers are prohibited from operating a vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08% or more or while under the influence of intoxicating liquors, narcotics, marijuana, or other drugs. However, the government can still prosecute a driver with a BAC of at least 0.06 if his or her actions are impaired. Individuals are considered under the influence if their ability to drive is diminished by consuming substances, regardless of whether the vehicle is moving. This means that the intoxicated person can still be charged with DUI even if he or she is just sitting in the driver's seat of a parked, running car or if the keys are in the ignition.

• What does a DUI charge involve?

  DUI, or driving under the influence, is a criminal charge applied to someone who is suspected of operating their vehicle while under the influence of an intoxicant, such as drugs and/or alcohol. Every state in the U.S. has a law on the books that bans driving while intoxicated; however, the specific criteria may differ from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. In some states, a driver with blood alcohol content (BAC) in excess of 0.08% can be brought up on DUI charges while other states set a higher threshold or increase the severity of charges in accordance with the level of intoxication. In some cases, DUI is determined not via testing but by behavior; drivers who are intoxicated to the point of impairment and who cannot safely operate their vehicle may be arrested on suspicion of DUI.

• What's the difference between DUI, DWI, and OVI?

  The terms driving under the influence (DUI), driving while impaired (DWI), and operating a vehicle under the influence (OVI) are all legal phrases that refer to the crime of operating a vehicle while impaired by drugs (illegal or prescription), alcohol, or both. These terms are largely interchangeable though some states use only one acronym in their statutes for the sake of clarity. There are also other acronyms occasionally substituted for DUI, such as DWAI (driving while ability impaired), OWI (operating while intoxicated), OUI (operating under the influence), and DUII-CS (driving under the influence of intoxicants: controlled substances).

• How long does a DUI stay on your record?

  In addition to the more immediate penalties that come with a DUI conviction, this costly mistake can have other consequences. DUIs stay on your driving record for years with the exact length of time differing from state to state — the California Department of Motor Vehicles, for instance, tracks DUIs for 10 years and may use that information to determine things like license eligibility. In Alabama, DUIs stay on the record for five years while in Alaska they're permanent. In states that use point systems to track driving infractions, DUI points may stay on the record far longer than the DUI itself.

• How much does a DUI lawyer cost?

  The cost of a DUI lawyer depends largely on three things: geographic area, the lawyer's experience, and whether the case is settled quickly with a plea or ends up going to trial. Attorneys may charge a flat rate, more commonly used for simple cases that are likely to wrap up quickly, or they may charge by the hour, which can add up quickly if the case requires a lot of pretrial preparations and court time. Ultimately, a DUI lawyer could cost as little as $700 or bill in excess of $4,000.

• How do I choose a DUI attorney?

  Finding the right DUI lawyer is crucial, especially when it comes to preventing a suspended license and minimizing fees and other penalties. To choose the right one:

  • Look for attorneys experienced in DUI case law
  • Ask for referrals from family and friends
  • Check the internet for reviews, keeping in mind that no two DUI cases are exactly alike
  • Meet with prospective lawyers (many offer free consultations) to hear their perspective on the case and see whether their personality feels like a good fit
  • Ask whether the lawyer will be the primary representative or if the case could be passed to an associate and how many clients the lawyer/firm represents at one time
  • Discuss billing options — the difference between an hourly rate and flat fee can be considerable

• What happens when you get a DUI?

  Individuals detained on suspicion of a DUI are typically taken to jail, their vehicles impounded, and either held on bail or processed and released pending a court date. That initial court appearance is a chance to enter a plea; it's a good idea to retain legal representation prior to this hearing so they have an opportunity to argue for reduced charges or even dismissal.

  Drunk driving charges are often enough to warrant a suspended license pending the outcome of the case. A DUI conviction could mean losing that license entirely as well as paying fines, court costs, and DMV fees and paying for treatment or other intervention programs as instructed by the court — perhaps even completing jail time. These penalties tend to be less severe for first-time offenders and increase significantly thereafter.

• Can I contest a DUI without a lawyer?

  While it's possible to contest a DUI without a lawyer present, case law is complex, and navigating those laws can be tricky. A DUI lawyer can't guarantee a positive outcome, but they are in a far better position to make crucial moves, such as challenging the legality of the original traffic stop, questioning the officer-led sobriety tests, and introducing evidence that could lead to an exoneration. In short, it's tempting to save money by going it alone, but the consequences could be costly. Before deciding against a lawyer, take advantage of a free consultation and weigh their recommendations. If budget is a factor, there are court-appointed public defenders who may take on the case.

• How much does a DUI cost?

  DUIs are expensive. In addition to attorney fees that often run the gamut from $700 to over $4,000, there may also be bail costs, court-ordered fines, alcohol education courses, traffic school, DMV fees, the cost of increased insurance rate, fees associated with recovering an impounded car, and the possibility of paying for a court-ordered ignition interlock device. All together, the average cost of a DUI sits at around $6,500 not counting peripheral expenses, such as alternate transportation while unable to drive and lost income due to court dates and incarceration.

• When does a DUI become a felony?

  Driving under the influence is classified as a misdemeanor unless the DUI meets certain state-specific criteria such as:

  • It's not the first offense. Anyone arrested for DUI who has been convicted of driving under the influence previously may be charged with a felony, depending on the length of time since the last conviction.
  • The offender was driving without a license. Getting a DUI with a license that has been suspended, revoked, or restricted is a felony in many states.
  • The DUI resulted in someone else's injury or death. Some states cite bodily harm as one of the reasons to change a DUI from a misdemeanor to a felony.

• How much does car insurance go up after a DUI?

  Since car insurance rates are based on driving history and projected risk, it stands to reason that a DUI conviction will result in higher insurance rates. How much those rates go up depends on the state. In Colorado, insurance rates jump around 18% following a DUI conviction while North Carolina sees a median rate increase of more than 300%. To put that in further perspective, consider New Jersey; the state's average insurance rate is $1,419, but the average rate with DUI increases 132% to $3,292.