Massachusetts Fourth Offense OUI

Many lawyers despite handling criminal defense work for years, may not have much experience handling trials. That can be surprising. But there is a vast variety in how lawyers handle even the same types of cases.

A lawyers ability to successfully defend a client before a juror depends on a number of factors:

1. Does the client trust the lawyer enough to go to trial; many clients elect a plea because they do not have confidence in their lawyer.
2. Does the lawyer properly prepare the case to show the client the potential defenses. Too often lawyers do not properly prepare cases for trial and present the client with a minimal chance of success. A proper investigation and harder work by the lawyer may have revealed that there was a strong defense or a more promising defense where the client would have elected a trial.
3. When you hire DelSignore Law, we have a reputation for taking case to trial. Trials are a common occurrence in our office rather than a rarity as for some lawyers.

What will the First Court date be like when charged with a Fourth Offense OUI?

Here are some of the issues that may come up at the 1st Court date on a Fourth Offense or greater OUI.

1. Request for Bail at arraignment;

When you are charged with a Fourth Offense OUI, your only hope to avoid jail is to win at trial. For this type of case, your freedom is on the line and you should hire someone that has experience handling trials in front of jurors. It would be rare to have a bench trial or trial before a judge on a Fourth Offense OUI. That is because the judge will know it is your 4th Offense. Even the most favorable judge is likely to consider that against you. However, the jury will not know what number of offense your a facing. In terms of the trial, there is no difference in how it is presented based on the offense level. The difference is that a 4th Offense will be a priority on the court calendar. When you are scheduled for trial on a fourth offense OUI, the Court is likely to consider that case the most important case of the day, except in the unusual circumstances where there is an equally serious case on.

2. Possible request for Dangerousness hearing to hold a defendant without bail. There is strong likelihood that you would be taken into custody on a fourth offense.
3. Mandatory jail time upon conviction.

Given these serious consequences and the different treatment the charge will receive in Court, you need to hire a lawyer whose practice is dedicated to defending OUI cases to ensure the best chance of success at trial.

• The arraignment will generally involve a bail request and may include a request for pretrial detention.
• Upon conviction, there is mandatory jail time and the likelihood of a 2.5 year sentence to the house of correction
• 4th Offenses typically require a jury trial.

When you are charged with a Fourth Offense Massachusetts DUI, it likely that the Commonwealth will request a dangerousness hearing to hold you without bail for up to 120 days.

While in many cases the request for a dangerousness hearing will be denied, it does require you to hire an experienced Massachusetts drunk driving defense lawyer to contest the require for detention on the dangerousness hearing motion. In some cases, the judge will allow for a detention of anywhere from 3 to 7 days prior to the hearing being scheduled.

If the request is granted, you can be held for up to 120 days unless the request is overturned on appeal to the superior court. In most cases, a 4 th Offense will result in a cash bail and conditions of release, such as blowing into a breath test machine to prove you are not driving three or four times per day even if the dangerousness request is denied.

If you are charged with a Massachusetts Fourth Offense OUI, call for a free consultation at (781) 686-5924 or (508) 455-4755. It is important to hire a lawyer with a proven record of success as soon as you are charged with a Fourth Offense OUI.

As a dangerousness hearing could result in jail time, you should familiarize yourself with these hearings; feel free to read more about them on our website here.

To read more about Melanie’s Law and how it could have an impact on you if found guilty of a fourth offense OUI, visit our website today.

A Massachusetts Fourth Offense OUI is a charge that carries a mandatory minimum one year jail sentence. Upon conviction after trial on a Fourth Offense, you may face the maximum jail sentence of 2.5 years if the case remains in the district court. Because a Fourth Offense OUI is a felony, the Commonwealth could seek an indictment and have the case brought to superior court where you would face a greater potential sentence, including state prison time of up to five years.

Upon conviction of a fourth offense, you will lose your driver’s license for ten years. As with a third offense, a fourth offense OUI will likely involve you having to post some cash bail.

Attorney DelSignore’s trial experience and skills in the courtroom would give you the best chance for a successful outcome in Court. You can call or text 781-686-5924 to speak to him about your case.