Worcester County OUI Defense Lawyer

Worcester County is fondly known as “the heart of the Commonwealth.” Like much of New England, Worcester County is an important place in U.S. history. In fact, the first ever public reading of the Declaration of Independence took place in Worcester in July of 1776. The land was originally inhabited by the members of the Nipmuc tribe, and underwent three settlement attempts before being officially incorporated in 1772.

Today, with an estimated population of over 830,000, Worcester County is the second-most populous county in Massachusetts. It is also the largest geographical county in the state. At over 1,500 square miles, Worcester County takes up more area than the entire state of Rhode Island. The population of Worcester County is growing at a rate consistent with the state, as well as the nation. As one of the largest counties in Massachusetts, with continued growth, roadway safety in Worcester will continue to be a priority of the County’s leadership.

Rates of Crime in Worcester County

Worcester County is large and is the home of many cities and towns including Leominster, Fitchburg, and of course the city of Worcester, the county’s largest city. In 2017 and 2018, Worcester saw a decrease in its rate of crime that Police Chief Steven M. Sargent attributes to community policing techniques that the city has implemented. Despite this reduction in crime, according to data released by the FBI in 2018, the crime rate for the city of Worcester remains higher than 98% of Massachusetts’s cities and towns. The rate of crime in Worcester is above the national average for both violent and property-type crimes.

OUI Cases in Worcester County

Following a Boston Globe Spotlight series in 2012, Worcester County made headlines for its seemingly low conviction rate in OUI bench trials. While the County was criticized for appearing lenient, this data can be confusing and misleading to those facing an OUI charge.

In virtually all criminal cases, the Massachusetts Constitution guarantees the right to a jury trial. This right is also protected by the Sixth Amendment to the United States Constitution. It is up to the defendant, taking into account advice from his or her attorney, to decide between a bench trial and a jury trial. The high rate of acquittal in OUI bench trials can be explained by the fact that more defendants opt for a bench trial when they know the Commonwealth’s case against them is weak. Judges are more predictable than juries, and can quickly recognize when a case falls short of the standard of proof.

An OUI charge, also referred to as DUI or DWI, should never be taken lightly. As a state, Massachusetts has some of the most severe drunk driving penalties in the nation. Despite the appearance of leniency in bench trials, prosecutors in the Commonwealth, including Worcester County, will prosecute OUI cases to the fullest extent of the law. If you’ve been charged with an OUI in Worcester County, you should hire an attorney with the experience to fight the charges against you. Just this month, the Massachusetts State Police announced that Worcester County will establish random sobriety checkpoints, in an effort to catch more impaired drivers.

Speak with a Dedicated OUI Defense Attorney Serving Worcester County

If you are facing an OUI charge in Worcester County, you should hire an experienced criminal defense lawyer to protect your rights. The Law Office of Patrick J. Murphy has twenty-five years of experience defending people accused of driving under the influence. Attorney Patrick J. Murphy’s law office is located at One South Market Street, Fourth Floor in downtown Boston, about an hour drive from the heart of Worcester County. If you need to discuss your OUI case, Attorney Murphy provides a free and confidential consultation. You can reach the Law Office of Patrick J. Murphy at (617) 367-0450 any time, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, or you can use our online form to set up an appointment.