The Channel 4 I-Team has a news report suggesting that a Continuation without a Finding, or CWOF is a loophole in Mass DUI Laws. But in fact, it is a longstanding and well understood legal practice, and always counts as a prior offense if there are future drunk driving charges. [click to continue…]

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Hingham Police Write Letters

by admin on May 4, 2012

Via the patch, The Hingham PD warns about impaired driving at Cinco de Mayo celebrations.

Cinco de Mayo has become a day a traditional time to celebrate Mexican heritage and pride similar to St. Patrick’s Day and Oktoberfest. It has become a big night out for many, particularly for young adults. But it is also a night out with expected dangers when someone chooses to drink and drive.

Whether your are just meeting a few friends after work or attending a Cinco de Mayo party, if you plan on drinking alcohol, never drink and drive while impaired-and never let a friend drive if they show signs of impairment.

All good advice. It’s also Kentucky Derby Day tomorrow, so for the love of god, do not mix mint juleps and tequila.

Stay safe!

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Article On OUI With Child Endangerment

April 10, 2012

The Patriot Ledger has an article on the relatively low rates of jail time for those convicted of an OUI with Child Endangerment, which is drunk driving with a child under 14 in the vehicle. 

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Hardship License for Obama Uncle

April 3, 2012

The decision by the Registry of Motor Vehicles to grant a Massachusetts hardship driver’s license after an OUI charge for the uncle of President Obama is standard procedure, and perfectly reasonable and ordinary.

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Field Sobriety Checkpoints (AKA DUI Roadblocks) Announced

March 22, 2012

Field sobriety checkpoints are supposed to be announced in advance, making fairly pointless non-news event press releases like this one announcing dates in Hampden County for March 30-31.

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National Drunk Driving Campaign “Drive Sober Or Get Pulled Over” Rolls Out

December 7, 2011

The Federal funded holiday drunk driving campaign “Drive Sober Or Get Pulled Over” is underway, with a national ad campaign and Federal grants to local and state law enforcement to pay for extra DUI patrols.

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Lenient Judges in Massachusetts DUI Cases?

October 31, 2011

The Boston Globe has a big ongoing series of articles on drunk driving trials that make the case that judges who decide cases in bench trials as opposed to trials in front of a jury are more lenient, and more likely to acquit. But the conclusion may not be so clear.

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Suspended License Arrest After DUI Charge

October 18, 2011

The Patriot Ledger reports of a man arrested for driving on a suspended license 10 hours after being arrested for a DUI.

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Does Stepped Up Drunk Driving Enforcement Enhance Public Safety?

September 8, 2011

Before and after holiday weekends like labor day, there are always news reports about additional police patrols looking for drunk drivers in Massachusetts. But does it actually make a difference?

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More Alarmist DUI News From the Herald

July 20, 2011

The Boston Herald reports that less than half off all those charged with DUI in Massachusetts are actually convicted. This is supposed to seem alarmist, but is actually routine and proper, and does not at all suggest that DUI laws are too lax, and that drunk driver’s are routinely getting off scott free. 

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