Preventing Drunk Driving after a Party

When having a party at home, you should be a responsible host and ensure that your guests drink responsibly and do not drive under the influence as it can be dangerous and lead to a DWI case. As the host of the party, you should take certain steps to make sure that they as well as others near them are safe.

While serving alcohol to your guests, you should make sure that it is consumed in moderation and they do not drive with a blood alcohol level (BAC) over the legal limit. There have been many DWI offenses with impaired driving resulting in many fatalities and injuries every year.

If you are a host, you should ensure the following:

• Food is served along with alcohol to ensure its effective absorption
• Serve more of non-alcoholic beverages as an alternative
• Have a person to monitor alcohol consumption and the quantity being served to the guests
• Request your guests to have a driver to drive them back home after a party if they have had large amount of alcohol
• Give them an option of staying at your home
• Request them to call a taxi or ask another guest to drive the drunken guest home
• Retain the keys of the guest who insist on driving after being drunk as you might also be held liable for accidents and fatalities caused by the driver. DWI laws in some states place liability on the host who served alcohol along with the driver himself.

Therefore, it is important to be well-informed about the alcohol being consumed in your party so that you can ensure the safety of your guests, drivers on the road as well as yourself from injury and liability.

Frequent Questions Asked After DWI Offense

• What are the various issues that might arise after DWI offense?

The various issues involved due to drunk driving are the extent of penalties and punishments you would be facing depending on whether it is a first, second of subsequent offense.

• What kind of penalty am I likely to get after DWI offense?

If it is your first offense, then most of the states give minimum penalties like fine, jail time, and suspension of driving license and admission to an alcohol treatment program. However, if it is repeated offense like a second offense, then the penalties are more severe and include a two-year license suspension or revocation of license. Some states even impound the license plates or vehicles.

• Will it is dangerous to take a blood test or a Breathalyzer test if I am asked?

Here again, the DWI laws are dependent on the state where you were arrested for alcohol abuse. You should consult a DWI lawyer if you are likely to be convicted for impaired driving as they might help you to revoke the penalties of suspension of the license. You should judge yourself on whether to go in for Breathalyzer or blood test. You would not be convicted if no chemical tests have been conducted after being arrested by police officers. However, if you refuse for these tests, your license will be suspended automatically for a long duration.

• Can a DWI lawyer avoid a first-offense DWI?

An experienced and qualified DWI lawyer can help you in avoiding or reducing the penalties and punishments you might face. He will ensure that the law enforcement follows standard procedures and defends your case effectively in the court.

When arrested for a DWI, you should immediately contact a DWI lawyer of your state as the extent of penalties varies widely and is dependent of various factors.

How to Handle DWI Charges in Massachusetts?

Drunk driving charges require expert legal representation. This is a specialized area which will need the service of skilled DWI attorneys who specialize in drunk driving charges. If you want to fight your case and prevent severe punishment, you will need a qualified DUI attorney to help with your legal problems. Attorneys that are specialized in the area of handling DUI cases know what it takes to fight for your freedom.

Massachusetts Second Offense Penalty

• Jail time of up to 60 days with a mandatory jail time of 30 days
• Hefty Fines
• License suspended for 2 years (you won’t be eligible for full license restoration or hardship if you refused the field sobriety test)
• Interlock devise installation in your car at your own expense

Massachusetts “per se” and Blood Alcohol Content Law

In the State of Massachusetts, there is a “per se” law, which means that it is illegal to drive with blood alcohol content (BAC) level of 0.08 or greater if you are over 21 years old. If you are under 21 years old, you cannot operate a motor vehicle with a BAC of over 0.02 percent. It is important to get legal help from an experienced DUI attorney or lawyer before you proceed further with your DUI case.

Massachusetts DUI/OUI Court Case

Driving under the influence court cases are tried to juries of six, or to a judge. A roadside field sobriety test and breath test is included during an arrest for driving while intoxicated. But since these tests cannot be included in your Massachusetts DUI court case, they are not necessary. However, refusal of the breath test can result in a possible driver’s license suspension for a minimum of 180 days. A guilty plea stays on your driving record permanently. This is reported to the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles, then to the National Driver’s License Registry. These records are accessible to driver’s licensing agencies everywhere. Consult with an experienced DUI/OUI attorney in your area to learn more about your charges and what you can expect to face in court.

Repeat Offenders in Massachusetts

Repeat offenders in Massachusetts are determined based upon a lifetime “lookback” period. This means that your case will be looked at for the mandatory minimum punishment and penalties. These charges on your record are not good and can affect you for the rest of your life, so get expert DWI defense on your side.