Massachusetts Personal Injury Library
Tougher OUI Punishment: Melanie's Law (Part A)
There were 16,274 people arrested in Massachusetts for Operating Under the Influence (OUI) during 2008. This offense is also commonly referred to as drunk driving, or driving under the influence (DUI). In any case, the sheer number of arrests is daunting.
Massachusetts OUI Arrests in 2008
- 16,274 arrests in the year
- 1,356 arrests per month
- 313 arrests per week
- 45 arrests per day
- 1.86 people arrested per hour
Those average statistics are just for Massachusetts during 2008, as provided by the state government. And these are just the people who were caught while they were drinking and driving.
What is Melanie’s Law?
On October 28, 2005, Melanie’s Law was signed in Massachusetts with the purpose of enhancing penalties and administrative sanctions for Operating under the Influence (OUI).
One part of the law establishes a component of operating under the influence of alcohol and operating after suspension for drunk driving. That means if someone who had their license suspended drives drunk and is caught, they can be charged with two crimes. The additional offense carries a mandatory 1 year jail sentence.
Other Components of Melanie’s Law
- Creates a new crime, “Operating a Motor Vehicle Under the Influence of Alcohol with a Child 14 Years of Age or Younger in the Vehicle.
- The Registry can cancel registration plates for anyone convicted of a 3rd or subsequent alcohol-related driving offense.
- A District Attorney can seek forfeiture of a motor vehicle for any defendant convicted of a 4th or subsequent alcohol-related driving offense.
- Eliminates the allowance of a 15-day temporary license.
- Ensures the operator’s vehicle is impounded for 12 hours.
When to Contact a Massachusetts Accidents Attorney
If you or your loved one has been injured in a DUI car accident in Boston, you should contact a personal injury attorney in your area right away to learn about your rights and determine liability. Massachusetts has a statute of limitations that may prohibit you from filing a lawsuit if too much time has passed.
The car accident lawyers at Kiley Law Group offer a FREE legal consultation of your OUI personal injury case, and a free book on Massachusetts auto accidents.
Call 1-888-208-1695 today.
Continue to Tougher OUI Punishment: Melanie's Law (Part B) >>
