Massachusetts Motor Vehicle Offenses Lawyer

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Massachusetts Motor Vehicle Offenses Attorney

A Massachusetts Motor Vehicle Offense can have serious consequences on your license, your freedom, your criminal record and can cause high insurance rates with your car insurance. There are criminal Massachusetts Motor Vehicle Offenses and civil Massachusetts Motor Vehicle Offenses.

It is important to remember that driving is considered a privilege and is not a right. The Registry of Motor Vehicle (RMV) will be the first to remind you of this. They keep track of all of your motor vehicle offenses and will send it to other states, especially if your license is from another state. You likely will also see motor vehicle offenses from other states on your Registry of Motor Vehicle driving record.

If your license gets suspended, click here to read about the process to appeal a license suspension from the Registry of Motor Vehicle in Massachusetts.

If you are convicted of a criminal motor vehicle offense, the court can potentially send you to jail and/or put you on probation. Some Massachusetts Motor Vehicle Offenses can trigger a license suspension when you are convicted. The Massachusetts court you are convicted in will send notice to the RMV, and they will take action to suspend your license.

How will a motor vehicle offense affect my insurance in Massachusetts?

In Massachusetts, a motor vehicle offense can significantly impact your car insurance rates. Minor infractions, like speeding or running a red light, may result in an increase to your insurance premiums because insurance companies view these violations as an indication of higher risk. If you have a more serious offense, like Operating under the Influence (OUI) charge or reckless driving, this may lead to a substantial increase of premiums or even the cancellation of your policy.

Massachusetts uses a surcharge point system, where points will be added if you have a traffic violation. These points will affect your insurance premiums and the more points you accumulate, the higher your rates will be.

If you face a serious offense, it can make it difficult to obtain coverage from a standard insurance company, forcing you to seek a more expensive insurance provider. If you want to minimize the impact of a motor vehicle offense, it’s important that you fight the allegations against you. You don’t have to fight the charges alone, you can have a Massachusetts motor vehicle offense attorney, like the attorneys at Ellison Law LLC, help you to challenge the charges.

What happens if I drive with a suspended license in Massachusetts?

Driving with a suspended license in Massachusetts is a criminal offense that has potential penalties like fines, license suspension, possible probation and even jail time depending on the circumstances. The penalties are much stricter if you drive while your license was suspended due to an OUI. If you’re a repeat offender, you will face harsher penalties, including longer potential jail time and a longer license suspension. If you’re found guilty of driving on a suspended license, your license could be suspended again, which will make it harder to reinstate your driving privileges.

What happens if I drive a vehicle that is uninsured in Massachusetts?

Driving with an uninsured vehicle in Massachusetts is a criminal offense that has potential penalties of a fine, a license suspension and possible jail time. In Massachusetts, the state requires all vehicles to carry minimum insurance coverage.

If an officer catches you driving without insurance, you may face fines up to $5,000, a 60 day license suspension and potentially, up to one year in jail. Other additional penalties may include mandatory reinstatement fees and higher insurance premiums.

Driving without insurance may expose you to significant financial risk because if you’re involved in an accident, you could be held responsible for all damages, medical bills and legal claims. To avoid this, you have to make sure that your vehicle is properly insured before driving. If you’re facing criminal charges for driving without insurance, you should contact a criminal defense attorney, like the attorneys at Ellison Law LLC, who can help you fight the charges.

I left the scene of a car accident in Massachusetts

Leaving the scene of a car accident, better known as hit and run, is a criminal offense in Massachusetts. If you’re involved in a car accident, you’re required to stop and exchange information with the other party. Failing to do this may result in potential jail time, having a criminal charge, a potential license suspension and fines.

For accidents that involve property damage, the penalties can include fines up to $200, the suspension of your license and up to two years of jail time. If there’s any injury or death resulting from the accident, the penalties are more severe. This is why it’s important that you promptly address the legal obligations that you have to minimize the impact of a charge.

What is an OUI charge in Massachusetts?

An OUI charge in Massachusetts stands for Operating Under the Influence and it applies to an individual who is accused of driving while impaired by alcohol, drugs or a combination of both. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts has very strict laws against driving impaired. The penalties will vary depending on your current Blood Alcohol Content (BAC), if there was anyone injured or any property damage and if you are a repeated offender or have past offenses.

It is important to understand that if you’re found guilty of an OUI, you will have a criminal record and it will hurt your driving record, which can cause unintended long-term consequences. We believe in the power of knowledge and protecting your rights. If you ever receive this charge, please read more about Operating Under the Influence charges and feel free to contact us today.

What is negligent operation of a motor vehicle in Massachusetts?

Negligent operation of a vehicle is a criminal offense in Massachusetts. It occurs when you operate a vehicle in a negligent manner that endangers the safety of others or the public. This can include actions such as excessive speeding, a failure to obey traffic signals, weaving dangerously through traffic or any other behavior that creates an unnecessary and unreasonable risk on the road. Since negligent operation of a vehicle reflects a disregard for public safety, this charge is treated as a criminal charge. The charge has potential penalties of a license suspension, jail time, probation and fines.

What is Use of a Motor Vehicle without Authority in Massachusetts?

In Massachusetts, using a motor vehicle without authority is a criminal offense that involves operating or taking control of another person’s vehicle without their permission. Unlike theft, where there’s an intent to permanently take someone else’s vehicle, this charge focuses solely on the lack of authorization from the owner.

This charge carries significant legal consequences since the penalty will vary depending if the person is a reoffender or has past convictions. Generally speaking, the potential penalties are fines, jail time, probation and having a criminal record. It’s also important that even if you return the vehicle without damage, the act of using it without permission is enough to have a criminal charge. The penalties may become more severe if there are additional factors such as if the vehicle was damaged, you committed other crimes during its use or you were operating it while under the influence.

What is refusal to submit to a police officer in Massachusetts?

Refusal to submit to a police officer, in Massachusetts, is a criminal offense that occurs when you operate a motor vehicle and you willfully disobey certain requests by the police officer that are listed in M.G.L chapter 90 section 25. This charge usually happens in situations where a person resists being stopped, detained or questioned. It can also potentially arise if you fail to comply with certain instructions during a traffic stop.

This is a criminal offense, and a conviction for refusing to submit to a police officer may lead to a criminal penalty and a $100 fine. Depending on the context of the situation, this can easily escalate to other offenses if the refusal was accompanied by reckless behavior, the endangerment of others, resisting arrest, etc.

A common scenario involving this charge is during a traffic stop if you fail to pull over right away after being signaled by a police officer.

I received a Traffic Ticket in Massachusetts, what should I do?

If you received a traffic ticket in Massachusetts, it’s important that you act quickly so you can protect your driving record and avoid unnecessary penalties. On the ticket there will be instructions on how to pay the ticket or appeal the citation. If you pay the fine, you’re essentially admitting guilt which may result in adverse consequences to your driving record. If you wish to appeal it, you need to do it within the timeframe that is stated on the ticket.

What are some of the most common types of Vehicle Offenses in Massachusetts?

Massachusetts enforces a wide range of vehicle laws to ensure public safety and order on the roads. Some of the most common vehicle offenses are:

  • Speeding: exceeding or going over the posted speed limit is one of the most frequent traffic violations that may lead to fines, adverse effects on your driving record and, potentially, increased insurance premiums.
  • Operating under the Influence (OUI): driving while you’re impaired is a very serious offense in Massachusetts because not only do you face hefty penalties, a license suspension, treatment and potential jail time but additionally, if you’re found guilty you will have long-lasting consequences to your criminal and driving record.
  • Negligent Operation: driving in a negligent way that endangers other people will potentially lead you to fines, a license suspension, and potential jail time.
  • Operating with a suspended license: driving with a suspended license can lead to fines, a potential license loss, and jail time.
  • Leaving the Scene of an Accident: failing to stop after an accident, especially when there’s injury or property damage, may lead to severe penalties.
  • Driving without Insurance: operating a vehicle without valid insurance is a criminal offense.

Ellison Law LLC has experienced Massachusetts criminal defense lawyers who represent clients in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for motor vehicle offenses. Some of these offenses include the following:

Massachusetts Operating Under the Influence of Alcohol (OUI)

Massachusetts Operating Under the Influence of Drugs

Massachusetts Negligent Operation

Massachusetts Reckless Operation

Massachusetts Failure to Stop for Police

Massachusetts Leaving the Scene of Personal Injury

Massachusetts Leaving the Scene of Property Damage

Massachusetts Operating After License Suspension

Massachusetts Unlicensed Operation of a Motor Vehicle

Massachusetts Operating an Uninsured Motor Vehicle

Massachusetts Use of Motor Vehicle Without Authority

What should I do if I receive a Motor Vehicle offense in Massachusetts?

Massachusetts Motor Vehicle Offenses can have costly consequences that could negatively affect your life and life of your family. If you have been charged with a Massachusetts Motor Vehicle Offense, contact the Criminal Defense attorneys at Ellison Law LLC today at 401-230-5520.

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