New Year’s Eve is the one night of the year with the single most drunk driving accidents and arrests. If you were arrested for a DUI on New Year’s, you likely experienced a lengthy booking process because of how busy your local police station was. Now that you’re dealing with these DUI charges, you may be asking “what’s next?” Here’s what you should expect.
Minor Delays
During the holiday season, the number of crimes committed increases significantly and the court system can become quite busy. With personnel taking time off for the holidays and some holiday court closures, delays in the process are not uncommon. If your DUI arrest occurred on New Year’s Eve, you can expect a slightly slower court process than you might have experienced if you had been arrested at a different time of year.
Standard Penalties
Although New Year’s Eve is the biggest night of the year for drunk driving and DUI arrests, there is no difference in the severity of the charges or possible penalties that you’ll face. In Massachusetts, a first offense DUI carries a license suspension, a possible fine between $500 and $5,000, possible IID installation, and up to two and a half years in jail. The consequences for repeat offenses are even more severe.
License Suspension
When you’re arrested for a DUI in Massachusetts, your license will likely automatically be suspended. If you’re facing DUI charges, you need to find alternative modes of transportation for the duration of your license suspension period. Violating your suspension can create further legal difficulties and worsen your situation.
Finding a DUI Lawyer
When you’re arrested for a DUI, the first thing you should do is find a local DUI defense attorney to represent you. Hiring a lawyer early gives them more time to work on your case and increases your chances of securing a favorable outcome.
For a New Year’s Eve OUI arrest, the urgency to find a qualified DUI defense lawyer is increased further because you’ll be looking for a defense attorney during their busy season. Because crimes spike so much during the last couple of months of the year and because so many DUI arrests happen on New Year’s Eve, the best DUI defense lawyers will have fuller caseloads and limited availability. It’s wise to get ahead of everyone else in your area who’s also looking for a defense attorney by acting fast.
Call Attorney Joseph J. Higgins
Attorney Higgins is a DUI defense lawyer serving the state of Massachusetts with over a decade of experience specializing in DUI defense. Throughout his career, Attorney Higgins has amassed a proven track record of securing positive outcomes for his clients that have earned him recognition within his profession. If you’re interested in working with Attorney Higgins following your DUI arrest, you can contact him today for a free case evaluation.
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