What is the Difference Between OUI and DWI?

Across the nation, drunk driving laws are aimed to curtail impaired driving and save lives.  It turns out Massachusetts uses the OUI standard and the biggest distinction is that a driver may be charged if the keys are in the ignition, even if the operator pulled off the road to sleep off a bottle of Jack Daniels. In states with DWI laws, this same impaired operator may not be charged if he or she pulled off the road.

Where did these stricter laws come from?

Impaired driving laws save lives and efforts to curtail repeat offenders were bolstered with the enactment of Melanie’s Law in 2005. The statute is named after thirteen year old Melanie Powell of Marshfield who was killed in an accident caused by a repeat offender in 2003. Melanie’s Law strengthens the penalties for repeat drunk drivers. Statistics show that the roads have become safer under Melanie’s Law- 3500 Massachusetts drivers with a history of driving drunk are unable to start their cars today without first blowing a clean, sober breath into a tube to unlock their ignition.

It is important not to run from your responsibility.  It will follow you for the rest of your life.  You need to contact an attorney immediately.  If you don’t then you will risk serving jail time and piling up increasingly higher fines.  Do not take this lightly…tackle the situation head-on.

If you have been arrested for a DUI or OUI in the Commonwealth, contact Massachusetts Criminal Defense Attorney Paul R . Moraski at (978) 744-1200 immediately for a free phone consultation.