Massachusetts DUI Law : Mass Lawyer & Attorney for Drunk Driving Arrests in Boston, Worcester, Framingham

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Ignition interlock devices used in Massachusetts are manufactured by 4 companies: Consumer Safety Technology (CST), Draeger, Guardian, LifeSafer Interlock, Inc., Sens-O-Lock and Smart Start. None of these devices use infrared spectrometry, which is used in evidentiary breathalyzers. In fact, these interlock devices are not intended for use as evidential breath alcohol testing devices. Instead, they were designed to effectively lockout automobile ignitions and prevent vehicles from starting if the driver’s breath contains alcohol above a certain pre-set limit. In Massachusetts, that blood alcohol limit is .02.

The Mass. RMV requires use of the ignition interlock device for anyone who has 2 or more OUI offenses on his or her record, who is reinstating from a DUI suspension or coming off of a DUI hardship license on or after January 1, 2006, the implementation date of the interlock provision of Melanie’s Law.

The IID requires the user to blow into the device to start his or her vehicle. It also requires random rolling re-tests while the vehicle is in operation. The purposes of these rolling re-tests is to insure that an intoxicated driver did not have someone else blow into the device to start the vehicle.

Massachusetts Ignition Interlock Violations include missing rolling re-tests, tampering with the IID, attempting to circumvent, disconnect, or bypass the interlock device, or registering alcohol readings above .02. Violations of the Registry’s Ignition Interlock Regulations will result in an ignition interlock violation hearing being held. You are entitled to representation at this hearing and you should absolutely have counsel.

The results of your ignition interlock violation hearing will determine whether the Registry will excuse the violation or revoke your license for 10 years or lifetime. These penalties are so severe that many people do not believe that the RMV will actually impose them, only to have their driver’s licenses revoked for 10 years of life. There is no ability to get a hardship license during a Mass. IID license revocation.

The Registry of Motor Vehicles does a very good job in administering the ignition interlock program, especially considering the limited resources available. However, the interlock device is not without technical limitations. False positive results are fairly common and many innocent drivers have been called in for interlock violation hearings. Representation by an experienced Massachusetts Ignition Interlock Device Lawyer can make the difference between winning your interlock hearing or having to serve a 10 year or lifetime loss of license.