Being arrested for OUI in Massachusetts can be frightening, stressful, and traumatic. Dealing with the police, courts, and Registry of Motor Vehicles can be a daunting task. Fortunately, Natick Massachusetts DUI lawyers are available to help you put your DUI arrest behind you, so that you can resume driving and get on with your life. One of the best ways to do this is to get a not guilty verdict or to have the Natick MA first offense drunk driving charge dismissed.

The DUI 1st Offense Plea Bargain

The best plea bargain outcome for a First Offense Drunk Driving charge in Massachusetts is an admission to sufficient rather than a guilty plea. It is better to admit to sufficient facts because, for some purposes, an admission to sufficient facts and continuance without a finding (CWOF) is not considered a guilty plea or conviction. A Natick first offense DUI which is resolved by an admission to sufficient facts and CWOF is usually continued without a finding for one year. This means that if the OUI defendant does not get into trouble for one (1) year, and he or she meets all obligations, the DUI charge will be dismissed.

Massachusetts DUI 1st Offense Costs

Court costs in a First Offense DUI case in Massachusetts include a $50 victims of drunk driving assessment fee, a $50 victim witness fee, a $250 head injury surcharge, a $250 OUI fee and a $65 per month probation fee. Fines for a first offense OUI in Massachusetts range from a minimum mandatory fine of $500.00 up to $5,000.00.

In addition to these cost items which are imposed by the courts, a first offense Mass. DUI conviction or plea will result in a G.L. c. 90 § 24D Alcohol Program assignment. The fee for the First Offender § 24D program is approximately $540.00. This must be paid in full before the alcohol program completion certificate is awarded.

Other costs include towing costs, attorney’s fees, lost time from work, a $500.00 license reinstatement fee for the DUI conviction, and either a $100.00 reinstatement fee for the “admin per se” suspension or a $500 reinstatement fee in the case of a chemical test refusal.

Getting a Not Guilty Verdict

A not guilty verdict or dismissal of a first offense Natick Massachusetts DUI charge will avoid the above-listed court costs, fines, assessments, and probation supervision fees. A not guilty or dismissal will also avoid the $500.00 reinstatement fee for the DUI license suspension. Most importantly, being found not guilty or having the first offense OUI charge dismissed will keep your record clean. Given the lifetime lookback period imposed by Melanie’s law, this is important. The top notch Massachusetts DUI lawyers featured on this website can help you put your DUI arrest behind you. Call today for a free consultation.