Landmark Ruling in Massachusetts Offers Relief for OUI Convictions: What You Need to Know

In a landmark ruling, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court recently granted relief to individuals who were convicted of operating under the influence (OUI) charges between June 1, 2011 and April 18, 2019. The court's ruling in Commonwealth v. Hallinan allows these individuals to either withdraw their guilty pleas or request a new trial. This decision stems from concerns over unreliable breathalyzer science as well as allegations of misconduct within a Massachusetts State Police office.

 

This ruling has significant implications for the roughly 27,000 individuals who were convicted during the specified time period. It is important to note, however, that not all individuals who were convicted of OUI charges during that time will be eligible for relief. The court will apply a case-by-case analysis to determine whether an individual's conviction relied on unreliable breathalyzer evidence or was otherwise impacted by misconduct. 

 

If you or someone you know had a breath test in connection with an OUI conviction which was conducted using a Draeger 9510 breathalyzer machine that was calibrated and certified between June 2011 and April 17, 2019, you could have a chance at a new trial or to withdraw your guilty plea. Call our office at (978) 744-1220 or fill out the form on our contact page for a free case evaluation to see if you may be eligible for relief and the chance to clear your name.

 

At the Law Office of Patrick J. Regan, we have over 30 years of experience in Massachusetts criminal defense law. We work hard to get our clients the justice they deserve through aggressive representation.