Massachusetts’s Implied Consent Law and Refusing Alcohol Testing

The requirement to submit to chemical testing when arrested for an OUI and the penalties for a refusal.

Facing a DUI? We've helped 115 clients find attorneys today.

There was a problem with the submission. Please refresh the page and try again
Full Name is required
Email is required
Please add a valid Email
Phone Number is required
Please add a valid Phone Number
Zip Code is required
Please add a valid Zip Code
Description is required
By clicking "Find a Lawyer", you agree to the Martindale-Nolo Texting Terms. Martindale-Nolo and up to 5 participating attorneys may contact you on the number you provided for marketing purposes, discuss available services, etc. Messages may be sent using pre-recorded messages, auto-dialer or other automated technology. You are not required to provide consent as a condition of service. Attorneys have the option, but are not required, to send text messages to you. You will receive up to 2 messages per week from Martindale-Nolo. Frequency from attorney may vary. Message and data rates may apply. Your number will be held in accordance with our Privacy Policy.

You should not send any sensitive or confidential information through this site. Any information sent through this site does not create an attorney-client relationship and may not be treated as privileged or confidential. The lawyer or law firm you are contacting is not required to, and may choose not to, accept you as a client. The Internet is not necessarily secure and emails sent through this site could be intercepted or read by third parties.

As part of an OUI (operating under the influence) investigation, law enforcement normally requests that the driver take a breath or blood test. These tests are intended to determine the amount of drugs or concentration of alcohol (BAC) in the driver's system. Test results often play a big part in the prosecution's case at an OUI trial, so a driver may be tempted to refuse testing in an effort to limit the incriminating evidence. However, the refusal of a lawful testing request will result in separate and serious consequences for the driver.

Implied Consent

Massachusetts's implied consent law states that anyone who operates a vehicle within the state is deemed to have consented to a test of the driver's breath or blood. This implied consent requirement applies only to drivers who have been properly arrested for an OUI.

Consequences of Refusal

License seizure. If a driver refuses to submit to a lawful request for chemical testing, the officer is supposed to immediately seize the driver's license. The arresting officer will then give the driver a notice of suspension and forward a report of refusal to the Registrar of Motor Vehicles (RMV). The notice of suspension will indicate that the suspension is effective immediately but may be contested by submitting a request for a hearing within ten days of issuance.

License suspension. Drivers with no prior OUI convictions generally face a 180-day license suspension for a refusal. Drivers with a prior OUI conviction or who are under 21 years old will be looking at a three-year suspension for a refusal. Drivers who refuse testing and have two prior OUI convictions will be suspended for five years. And a driver with three prior OUI convictions will be suspended for life if he or she unlawfully refuses chemical testing.

Also, a driver who refuses testing and has a prior vehicular manslaughter conviction will be suspended for life. If the prior involved serious bodily injury rather than a death, the driver faces a ten-year suspension on the refusal.

License suspensions related to a chemical test refusal will run consecutively (back-to-back) to any other OUI-related suspension. So, if the driver is convicted of an OUI in court, there will typically be two suspensions to complete. Drivers suspended due to a chemical test refusal are not eligible for a hardship or restricted license.

Impounded. After seizing the driver's license, the arresting officer will also have the driver's vehicle impounded for a minimum of 12 hours.

FACING A DUI?
Talk to a DUI Defense attorney
We've helped 115 clients find attorneys today.
There was a problem with the submission. Please refresh the page and try again
Full Name is required
Email is required
Please add a valid Email
Phone Number is required
Please add a valid Phone Number
Zip Code is required
Please add a valid Zip Code
Description is required
By clicking "Find a Lawyer", you agree to the Martindale-Nolo Texting Terms. Martindale-Nolo and up to 5 participating attorneys may contact you on the number you provided for marketing purposes, discuss available services, etc. Messages may be sent using pre-recorded messages, auto-dialer or other automated technology. You are not required to provide consent as a condition of service. Attorneys have the option, but are not required, to send text messages to you. You will receive up to 2 messages per week from Martindale-Nolo. Frequency from attorney may vary. Message and data rates may apply. Your number will be held in accordance with our Privacy Policy.

You should not send any sensitive or confidential information through this site. Any information sent through this site does not create an attorney-client relationship and may not be treated as privileged or confidential. The lawyer or law firm you are contacting is not required to, and may choose not to, accept you as a client. The Internet is not necessarily secure and emails sent through this site could be intercepted or read by third parties.

How It Works

  1. Briefly tell us about your case
  2. Provide your contact information
  3. Choose attorneys to contact you