Georgetown Massachusetts OUI Lawyer

An OUI arrest can be one of the most stressful experiences of your life. You may be worried about losing your driver's license, having a criminal record, or how the charge will affect your job and family. You may also believe that because the police arrested you, there is little chance of winning your case.

That is not necessarily true.

Attorney Michael DelSignore is a Massachusetts OUI defense lawyer who has spent more than 20 years defending people charged with operating under the influence. His approach is to carefully examine the evidence, identify weaknesses in the prosecution's case, and develop a defense designed to give his clients the best opportunity to avoid a conviction.

When you are charged with OUI, choosing the right attorney can make a significant difference in how your case is handled.

Attorney DelSignore focuses his practice on defending OUI and criminal cases throughout Massachusetts. His experience includes challenging breath test evidence, questioning the reliability of field sobriety tests, filing motions to suppress evidence, and trying OUI cases before judges and juries.

Attorney DelSignore's experience and work in OUI defense have received recognition that includes:

• Over 20 years of courtroom experience defending Massachusetts OUI cases.
• Recognition by Super Lawyers for his work in DUI defense.
• Recognition from the National College for DUI Defense for his work involving marijuana impairment evidence before the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court.
• Hundreds of favorable case results, including not guilty verdicts in OUI cases throughout Massachusetts.
• Two books on Massachusetts OUI defense, written to help people understand the law and the defenses available to them.
• Media recognition, including appearances or commentary in the Boston Globe, Boston Herald, Boston 25, and other news outlets.

Most importantly, when you hire Attorney DelSignore, he personally handles your case. You will have the opportunity to discuss the evidence, understand your options, and prepare a defense with the attorney who will represent you in court.

If you were arrested for OUI in Georgetown, Massachusetts, your case will generally be heard in the Haverhill District Court.

45 Ginty Boulevard

Haverhill, MA 01831

The Haverhill District Court handles criminal cases originating in Georgetown, Haverhill, Groveland, Boxford, and Bradford.

Attorney DelSignore has represented clients charged with OUI in Haverhill District Court and has obtained favorable results, including not guilty verdicts and dismissals.

His experience handling cases in this court helps him explain what to expect at each stage of the process, from arraignment through pretrial hearings and, when necessary, trial.

One of the biggest mistakes people make after an OUI arrest is assuming that everything written in the police report is accurate and that the Commonwealth has a strong case.

Police officers typically write reports explaining why they believed an arrest was justified. These reports often emphasize observations that suggest impairment while leaving out details that could support a finding of sobriety.

For example, a police report may indicate that you had bloodshot eyes, smelled of alcohol, and had difficulty performing field sobriety tests.

What the report may not explain is that you were tired, nervous, had a medical condition affecting your balance, or otherwise appeared alert and coordinated during your interaction with the officer.

Attorney DelSignore looks beyond the conclusions in the police report to determine what the evidence actually proves.

Field sobriety tests are frequently an important part of an OUI prosecution.

Police officers may claim that you showed signs of impairment while performing the nine-step walk-and-turn or one-leg-stand test.

However, these tests do not directly measure your ability to drive safely.

Attorney DelSignore examines whether the officer administered the tests properly and whether other factors may explain your performance, including:

• Medical conditions or physical limitations.
• Uneven pavement or poor roadside conditions.
• Nervousness and anxiety during a police encounter.
• Confusing or incomplete instructions.
• Footwear and environmental conditions.

A person can have difficulty performing these exercises without being impaired by alcohol.

The important question is whether the observations actually establish impairment beyond a reasonable doubt.

If you submitted to a breath test following your Georgetown OUI arrest, the result may become an important part of the Commonwealth's case.

However, a breath test result does not automatically establish guilt.

Attorney DelSignore examines the testing procedure, the operation and maintenance of the breath testing instrument, and whether the Commonwealth can establish that the result is reliable and admissible.

Potential issues include whether the required observation period was properly completed, whether the testing procedures were followed, and whether there are grounds to challenge the reliability or admissibility of the result.

The result must be evaluated in light of the governing legal requirements and the evidence in your particular case.

Attorney DelSignore believes that one of the most important parts of defending an OUI case is identifying the observations that support sobriety but are missing from the police report.

A police officer may describe a driver as unsteady or confused while omitting evidence that the driver:

• Produced a license and registration without difficulty.
• Answered questions appropriately.
• Followed instructions during the investigation.
• Walked normally at other points during the encounter.
• Appeared coherent and coordinated during booking.

When video evidence is available, it can provide an important opportunity to compare the officer's written observations with what actually occurred.

Attorney DelSignore uses this evidence to determine whether the Commonwealth can prove impairment beyond a reasonable doubt.

Yes. A Georgetown OUI charge can be defended successfully, depending on the facts and evidence.

The police need probable cause to make an arrest. However, obtaining a conviction at trial requires the Commonwealth to prove every element of the offense beyond a reasonable doubt.

These are very different legal standards.

Attorney DelSignore has obtained not guilty verdicts in cases involving unfavorable police reports, alleged poor field sobriety test performance, and breath test evidence.

His approach is to determine whether the Commonwealth can actually prove the case rather than assume the evidence is as strong as the police report suggests.

Although no attorney can guarantee a particular result, an experienced OUI defense lawyer can identify defenses that may not be apparent when you first read your police report.

For many people charged with OUI, losing the ability to drive is the most immediate concern.

The license consequences depend on whether you submitted to a breath test, the result of the test, and whether you have any prior OUI convictions or qualifying offenses.

For example, in a typical first-offense OUI case:

• A breath test result of .08 or higher generally results in an immediate 30-day license suspension.
• Refusing a breath test generally results in a 180-day suspension for a driver with no prior OUI convictions or qualifying offenses.
• Additional license consequences may apply if you are convicted or resolve the case through a disposition involving a license suspension.

Attorney DelSignore reviews both the criminal case and the Registry of Motor Vehicles consequences so that clients understand the potential impact on their ability to drive.

In some circumstances, there may be opportunities to challenge a suspension or pursue reinstatement or hardship license eligibility.

The first step is to understand the evidence and the possible consequences before making decisions about how to resolve the charge.

Attorney DelSignore recommends reviewing the circumstances of the arrest, the police report, any available video, and the breath test evidence before deciding whether to challenge the charge at trial, file a motion to suppress, or consider a negotiated resolution.

The appropriate strategy depends on the facts of the case.

Attorney DelSignore also explains what to expect at Haverhill District Court, including the arraignment, pretrial hearings, discovery process, and potential trial.

The goal is to make sure that you understand your options and do not make an important decision based solely on what the police report says.

Attorney DelSignore has obtained favorable results for clients charged with OUI in Haverhill District Court.

Examples include:

A first-offense OUI case was dismissed under the Massachusetts BRAVE Act.

If you have been arrested for OUI in Georgetown, Massachusetts, you should understand your options before deciding how to proceed.

Attorney DelSignore has spent over 20 years defending people charged with OUI throughout Massachusetts. He understands the stress that comes with an arrest and the importance of protecting your driver's license, your record, and your future.

During an initial consultation, Attorney DelSignore can discuss the circumstances of your arrest, explain the potential consequences, and identify issues that may be important to your defense.