Best DUI Lawyers in Lawrence

Frequently Asked Questions

• 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.