Understanding OUI Laws in Massachusetts
In Massachusetts, impaired driving is Operating Under the Influence (OUI). You can be charged with an OUI if:
- Your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is .08% or higher
- Your BAC is .06% or higher, and law enforcement believes you were impaired
- You refuse a breathalyzer or chemical test, but officers observe signs of impairment
- You were allegedly driving under the influence of drugs, whether illegal substances or prescription medications
You don’t need to be visibly intoxicated to be arrested—a BAC above the legal limit alone is enough to lead to an arrest and charge. And in cases involving drugs, police may rely on field sobriety tests, blood tests, or officer observations.