Driving under the influence in Massachusetts could lead to more than a DUI charge. If you had a child in the vehicle at the time, you might be facing increased fines and jail time on top of the original penalties. Your penalties might be even higher if this is your second or third offense.
What happens if you had a child in the car at the time?
On top of your DUI charge, the police might charge you with child endangerment if you had a child that was 14 years old or younger in the vehicle. As a result, you might have to pay a minimum of $1,000 and a maximum of $5,000 in fines. You might also end up with a minimum of 90 days and a maximum of two-and-a-half years in prison. Additionally, the judge might suspend your driver’s license for one year because you put a child in danger.
Your criminal defense attorney will have an even bigger challenge if this is your second or third offense. For a second offense, you’ll automatically lose your driver’s license for three years. You might also get a minimum of six months in prison and up to $10,000 in fines. Depending on the severity of the charges, you could even get five years in a state prison. When it gets to this point, it’s important to hire an attorney with DUI defense experience.
What are some other possible penalties?
Other possible penalties include house arrest, a permanent license suspension and a requirement to install an interlock ignition device on your vehicle. It’s clear that a DUI is a serious charge that could impact your entire life.
