Motor Vehicle Offenses

The authorities in Massachusetts like to remind us all that driving is a privilege and not a right. The Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) carefully tracks our history as drivers and keeps that history in our driving records which it shares with other states. Massachusetts also receives driving record and criminal violation information shared from other states. Traffic offenses from other states may appear on your driving record and will be treated by the RMV as if they happened in Massachusetts. If your license is suspended or revoked in another state your Massachusetts license will be suspended automatically.

There are three kinds of events that can cause a person to lose his or her driving privileges. Although civil motor vehicle infractions and automobile accidents where you are found to be more than 50 percent at fault will impact you financially and affect your right to drive, criminal motor vehicle violations are far more serious offenses. If you are stopped for a criminal motor vehicle violation, the police may arrest you immediately, your vehicle may be towed away, your license may be taken away, and you may be sent to jail until you go to court.

If you are convicted of a criminal motor vehicle offense, the court may set a fine and/or lengthy prison term. The court may also order you to perform community service and probation with mandatory reporting to court. Upon conviction of a motor vehicle offense the court automatically notifies the RMV of the conviction so that it will take immediate additional action to suspend or revoke your license to drive. Depending on the severity of the conviction, an RMV license suspension can range anywhere from 30 days to a lifetime suspension of your driving privileges limiting your ability to work or travel.

Massachusetts Criminal Motor Vehicle Violations

Criminal motor vehicle crimes in Massachusetts include the following offenses:

• Operating under the influence of alcohol or drugs (OUI/DUI) (G.L. c. 90, § 24)
• Attaching Wrong Plates to Conceal Identity (G.L. c. 90, § 23)
• False Statement in License Application (G.L. c. 90, § 24 [2][a])
• Homicide by a Motor Vehicle (Felony) (G.L. c. 90, § 24G [a])
• Homicide by a Motor Vehicle (Misdemeanor) (G.L. c. 90, § 24G [b])
• Leaving the Scene of an Accident (G.L. c. 90, §§ 24 [2][a] or [a½])
• Operating After Suspension or Revocation of License (G.L. c. 90, § 23)
• Operating an Uninsured Motor Vehicle (G.L. c. 90, § 34J)
• Operating Negligently So As to Endanger (G.L. c. 90, § 24 [2][a])
• Operating Recklessly (G.L. c. 90, § 24 [2][a])
• Operating Without Being Licensed (G.L. c. 90, § 10)
• Refusal to Obey Police Officer (G.L. c. 90, § 25)
• Road Racing (G.L. c. 90, § 24 [2][a])
• Drag Racing (G.L. c. 90, § 17B)
• Use of Vehicle Without Authority (G.L. c. 90, § 24 [2][a])
• Negligent Operation and Injury from Mobile Phone Use (G.L. c. 90, § 24 [2][a])

Contact Boston, Massachusetts Criminal Defense Attorney Patrick J. Murphy

Patrick J. Murphy, Esq. is a Boston, Massachusetts criminal motor vehicle violations defense lawyer with nearly 20 years of experience defending clients accused of serious motor vehicle crimes. If you have been charged with a misdemeanor of felony motor vehicle offense in Boston or any city or town in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, you need an experienced and aggressive criminal defense lawyer with a successful record of representing people charged with serious motor vehicle offenses. At the Law Office of Patrick J. Murphy we are fully prepared to fight any motor vehicle offense and we provide all clients with professional, expert legal representation. Call Attorney Patrick J. Murphy today for a free initial consultation at (617) 367-0450 or contact us online.