Melanie's Law Means Harsher Consequences for OUI Offenders
Melanie's Law became effective on October 28, 2005. Its purpose is to create tougher penalties and administrative sanctions for Operating Under the Influence (OUI) offenders in Massachusetts.
The law presumes that you are under the influence of alcohol if your blood alcohol content (BAC) is .08 or above. The problem with that is that breathalyzers actually test the amount of alcohol present on your breath — not in your blood. Furthermore, these machines must be precisely calibrated, maintained and administered, otherwise the results can be hopelessly flawed.
At the Fitchburg, Massachusetts, law office of Steven W. Panagiotes, Attorney at Law, I focus exclusively on representing people arrested under Massachusetts drunk driving laws, including Melanie's Law. With nearly 20 years of legal practice under my belt, I have established a record of success, including the representation of many high-profile individuals, as well as police officers and legal professionals.
Ignition Interlock Devices
In addition to providing more severe penalties for all OUI convictions, Melanie's Law also requires the Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) to create and maintain an ignition interlock device program for repeat OUI offenders. These devices, which require the driver to basically self-perform a breathalyzer test. The car simply will not start if there is a certain amount of alcohol on the driver's breath. Installation of these devices is required before people convicted of multiple OUIs can even apply for a hardship driver's license or for full reinstatement of their driving privilege.
Some reports show that Melanie's Law has led to more arrests of repeat OUI offenders. If you are one of the people arrested under this law, talking with a lawyer as soon as possible can be critical to your success and your ability to fight the charge.
Contact Steven W. Panagiotes, Attorney at Law, by calling 978-342-4444 to schedule a consultation about DUI, license suspension or breath test refusal. You can also send me an e-mail.
Consultations are free and confidential. For your convenience, I accept most major credit cards.
