Boston DUI Lawyers Blog

Medfield Teen Charged with DUI Following Crash Into Tree

Published on: November 17, 2011 | by Lefteris K. Travayiakis, Esq.

An 18 year old Medfield teenager has been summonsed to answer on various Massachusetts Drunk Driving Charges after he allegedly crashed his car into a tree last week. The teen has been charged with OUI / DUI Liquor, Malicious Destruction of Property and Leaving the Scene of an Accident After Property Damage.

According to Medfield Police, officers responded to a call that a car had crashed into a tree and allegedly discovered the man walking up the street and away from the accident. He was eventually transported to Norwood Hospital to be treated for his injuries.

Officers allege that the charge of Operating Under the Influence of Alcohol was based on their observation of the driver at the scene, including the apparent odor of alcohol, “eye condition”. It is also alleged that the man submitted to and failed Field Sobriety Tests and allegedly admitted to having consumed alcohol.

Somerville Police Investigate Assault, Arrest man on Drunk Driving Charges

Published on: November 13, 2011 | by Lefteris K. Travayiakis, Esq.

Somerville Police responded to a Dunkin’ Donuts in Somerville this past week to investigate an alleged assault and ended up arresting a man on Massachusetts Drunk Driving Charges.

Nelson Orlando Martinez, 22, was arrested for allegedly Operating Under the Influence of Alcohol.

According to police, when Somerville Police officers arrived at the Dunkin’ Donuts, they reportedly spoke to witnesses who were described as two Hispanic men with long hair in ponytails and traveling in a red pickup truck.

Taunton Man Arrested for DUI After Warning by Police

Published on: November 11, 2011 | by Lefteris K. Travayiakis, Esq.

A Taunton man who was allegedly warned by police not to drive was then arrested for Massachusetts Drunk Driving Law Violations.

According to the Taunton Police Department, the man was warned early Wednesday morning not to get back into his car or he would be arrested. The officer had initially seen Pacheco standing on the sidewalk and speaking on his cell phone, allegedly swaying side to side and appearing intoxicated.

The Taunton Police Officer allegedly offered the driver a ride to the police station so he could call someone for a ride, but he reportedly opted to get back into his case and drive off.

Hingham Man Asks for Directions and Gets Arrested for Drunk Driving

Published on: November 10, 2011 | by Lefteris K. Travayiakis, Esq.

A man on his way to his cousin’s home in Cohasset got lost, prompting him to ask for directions and leading to his arrest on Massachusetts Drunk Driving Law Violations.

According to the Hingham Police Department, after getting lost, Keith Stanton allegedly stopped at a home in Hingham and allegedly asked the woman for directions. The woman reportedly called police and reported that she observed him to be confused and smelled an odor of alcohol about him.

Hingham Police reportedly located Stanton at a Hingham gas station and allegedly observed him to be unsteady on his feet, with glassy eyes. Police also alleged that there was a half empty bottle of vodka on the front passenger seat.

Massachusetts Police Arrest Taunton Man for 7th Drunk Driving Offense

Published on: November 8, 2011 | by Lefteris K. Travayiakis, Esq.

A 50 year old Taunton man was arrested by Massachusetts State Police Officers this past weekend and charged him with his 7th Massachusetts Drunk Driving Law Violation.

Howard Stockbridge was charged with OUI / DUI 5th Subsequent Offense, Leaving the Scene of an Accident, Operating Under the Influence of Alcohol After License Suspended for Previous OUI /DUI.

According to police, state police received calls concerning an accident on 495 in Foxboro. The callers alleged that man driving a truck struck a 2011 Kia Sorrento and then fled on foot through the woods.

Massachusetts Supreme Court to Investigate Drunk Driving Acquittal Rate

Published on: October 31, 2011 | by Lefteris K. Travayiakis, Esq.

The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court announced today that it will initiate an investigation into the reported acquittal rate of Massachusetts Drunk Driving Cases by judges in the district courts.

The states highest court has tapped Jack Cinquigrana, a former prosecutor with the United States Attorney’s Office and the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office, to look into and examine why the acquittal rate of OUI / DUI cases in Massachusetts, reportedly 80%, differs from the national average.

The investigation was prompted by a Boston Globe investigation that reported certain judges in Suffolk County are acquitting drunk driving defendants as much as 88% of the time; while other Plymouth County judges are acquitting up to 86% of the time.

Massachusetts Lawmakers Consider Tougher Drunk Driving Penalties

Published on: October 28, 2011 | by Lefteris K. Travayiakis, Esq.

The Massachusetts State Legislature is currently considering a proposed bill that would impose stiffer penalties for Drunk Driving Law Violations.

The bill proposed by State Senator Robert Hedlund would effectively make mandatory the installation of an interlock device for anyone convicted of Operating Under the Influence of Alcohol, even for first-time offenders.

As they stand today, current OUI / DUI Laws only only require the installation of an interlock device on a person’s vehicle for a Second Offense OUI / DUI, which also imposes a sentence of not less than 60 days in jail and up to 2.5 years, as well as a loss of license for a 2 year period.

Admission at Trial of Expert Forensic Testimony in Massachusetts Drunk Driving Cases

Published on: October 27, 2011 | by Lefteris K. Travayiakis, Esq.

The Massachusetts Appeals Court recently decided the case of Commonwealth v. McGrail, where that defendant was tried and convicted of OUI / DUI, and Leaving the Scene of an Accident.

In that case, it was alleged that the defendant was involved in an accident, but was located by police about 1/2 mile away from the scene. The officers alleged that, due to his smelling of alcohol, his staggering and apparent injuries, that he had been the operator responsible for the crash.

After a jury trial that resulted in a conviction of both Operating Under the Influence of Alcohol and Leaving the Scene of an Accident, he appealed his conviction claiming that the admission of expert testimony concerning DNA testing violated his Right of Confrontation pursuant to the Sixth Amendment of the United States Constitution. Specifically, the defendant took exception to the Commonwealth calling a DNA expert to explain how he used the results of another analyst to conduct his own statistical analysis.

Dedham Man Charged in Alleged Drunk Driving Death of Dorchester Woman

Published on: October 26, 2011 | by Lefteris K. Travayiakis, Esq.

A Dedham man was arraigned in Boston’s Roxbury District Court on several Massachsuetts Drunk Driving Charges in connection with the accident and death of a Dorchester woman this past weekend. He was charged with Motor Vehicle Homicide by DUI / OUI; Operating Under the Influence of Alcohol; and Negligent Operation of a Motor Vehicle.

According to the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office and Boston Police, Avendano was allegedly operating his car when it collided into a tree on the Riverway in Boston. The rear passenger, a female, reportedly sustained injuries and was treated at a Boston hospital; while the front seat passenger died from her injuries.

The Boston Police reported that the rear passenger allegedly told them that the three had been out drinking at a bar in Allston, and that Avendano was allegedly speeding when he lost control of the vehicle.

Haverhill Woman Charged with DUI and Drugs After Asking Police for Directions

Published on: October 25, 2011 | by Lefteris K. Travayiakis, Esq.

A Haverhill woman was arrested and charged with Massachusetts Drunk Driving and Drug Crimes after reportedly asking a police officer for directions.

According to the Methuen Police Department, the police officer suspected her of operating under the influence of alcohol after he smelled alcohol on her breath and her allegedly slurring her words. The police officer reportedly asked the woman if she had had anything to drink and the woman allegedly admitted to having had shots of of hard liquor.

She was eventually arrested after allegedly submitting to and failing Field Sobriety Tests.