Charged with Drunk Driving in MA or RI?

If you've been charged with Operating Under the Influence (OUI) in Massachusetts or Driving Under the Influence (DUI) in Rhode Island, the consequences can be serious — even if it's your first offense. You don’t have to face this alone. I represent people charged with OUI and DUI in a wide range of communities across Southeastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island. In Massachusetts, I regularly handle cases in Attleboro, Fall River, Taunton, and New Bedford area. I also take on DUI cases across Rhode Island, including Providence, Warwick, Cranston, and Newport, and throughout the surrounding areas in Providence, Kent, and Newport Counties.

As a criminal defense attorney, I’ve won jury trials  and successfully suppressed illegal traffic stops — meaning the judge ruled that the stop violated constitutional protections, and the evidence obtained couldn’t be used. That kind of ruling can lead to charges being reduced or dismissed entirely. Every case is different, and every detail matters.

Drunk driving charges are serious, but they are also defensible. Police don’t always follow proper procedure, and the legal standard is whether you were impaired — not simply whether you had something to drink. Many DUI cases are built on assumptions, flawed field sobriety tests, or questionable observations that can be challenged in court. The way the stop was conducted, how the officer gathered evidence, and what was said or done at the scene can all affect the outcome of your case.

Even if you took a breath test and blew over the legal limit, that doesn't mean a conviction is automatic. Breathalyzers are sensitive machines that must be maintained, calibrated, and operated according to strict rules. If there’s a problem with the way the test was given — or if your result was close to the limit — that can open the door to a strong defense. As your attorney, I’ll carefully examine every part of the case to see what can be suppressed, challenged, or used to negotiate a better outcome.

If you're facing a first-time DUI charge in Massachusetts, the penalties can be serious — but they don’t always have to involve jail time or a full-year license suspension. A conviction for a first offense cries a potential fine between $500 and $5,000, and up to 2½ years in the House of Correction. It also triggers a  license suspension through the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles. However, many first-time offenders are eligible for what's called a 24D disposition. If granted, this typically results in one year of probation, attendance in an alcohol education program, and a reduced license suspension. In most cases, you're eligible to apply for a hardship license soon after your case is resolved. As long as you complete probation and the program successfully, your case can be dismissed at the end of that year.

In Rhode Island, a first-time DUI is a criminal offense, and the penalties vary based on your blood alcohol level. If your BAC is between .08% and .10%, you face a fine of $100–$300, up to one year in jail (often suspended), 10 to 60 hours of community service, and a license suspension of 30 to 180 days. Higher BAC levels bring harsher consequences, including longer suspensions, mandatory treatment, and ignition interlock requirements.Refusing a breath test is not a criminal offense, but it’s still serious. Refusal cases are handled in the Rhode Island Traffic Tribunal and carry a 6- to 12-month license suspension, plus fines, community service, and mandatory DUI classes — even if you're never convicted of DUI in court.  represent clients in both the criminal courts and the Traffic Tribunal, working to protect your license, limit consequences, and fight for the best possible outcome.