| Massachusetts revised its DUI/OUI laws as of | | | | suspension of the license for 1 year, though |
| July 2003 to consider anyone with a blood | | | | that may be reduced if the offender |
| alcohol level over .08 as driving under the | | | | voluntarily enters and completes a youth |
| influence. However, most simple first time | | | | alcohol program. |
| DUI offenders are often charged and handled | | | | |
| as "alternative disposition" probation plea | | | | The state of Massachusetts also offers a |
| bargains. This means that the offender has to | | | | Driver Alcohol Education Program (DAEP) for |
| participate in a mandatory drug or alcohol | | | | people charged with a First Offence DUI. Most |
| education program and their license is | | | | of the offenders participating in this |
| temporarily suspended. | | | | program are referred by area district courts |
| | | | and are placed on probation for the duration |
| The law is a little different for offenders | | | | of the program. This program can act as an |
| under the age of 21. According to | | | | alternative to longer periods without a |
| Massachusetts law, consumption of alcohol by | | | | license, heavier fines, and in extreme cases, |
| anyone under the age of 21 is prohibited. | | | | incarceration. |
| Furthermore, the blood alcohol level of | | | | |
| people below 21 years of age should not be | | | | The program has an intake assessment and |
| more than .02, as opposed to .08 for people | | | | holds 32 hours of group meetings spread over |
| above 21 years of age. | | | | sixteen weeks, exposure to self-help groups |
| | | | by attending two meetings in the offender?s |
| Offenders under 21 years of age with a blood | | | | community and a presentation of the impact of |
| alcohol ratio of over .02 can have their | | | | DUI on victims by reputed speakers. |
| licenses suspended. If the underage offender | | | | |
| refuses to submit to a breath test, the | | | | Obviously, any case involving accidents, |
| suspension of the license is increased from | | | | injuries, or death caused by DUI is subject |
| 180 days to one year. | | | | to penalties that are a lot stiffer than a |
| | | | simple DUI arrest. These include longer |
| Almost the same rules apply for offenders | | | | prison sentences, greater fines, and longer |
| under the age of 18. Blood alcohol levels | | | | license suspensions. |
| between .02 and .04 may result in the | | | | |