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In the letter you just read about traffic tickets and how I can help you (click here if you haven't read that yet), I gave you some basic information about the possible penalties.
You're probably wondering what these might be, so I'm going to give you some specific examples.
In Massachusetts, traffic tickets are serious. A
conviction for a moving violation, such as operating to endanger,
negligent operation of a motor vehicle, driving on a suspended license,
driving under the influence (see Massachusetts DUI), or speeding, has broader and more
negative consequence than what is generally known.
With most convictions of traffic tickets (either a plea or continuance without a finding/CWOF) there are
consequences with the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles:
MANDATORY SUSPENSIONS
Suspensions for Convictions of Criminal Motor
Vehicle Violations: The Massachusetts RMV will suspend your license
from 60 days to a lifetime depending on the offense.
Suspensions for MGL c. 94C drug offense convictions: The Massachusetts DMV will suspend your license from
one to five years.
Suspensions for out of state violations and suspensions pursuant to MGL c. 90, §22(c)
Cumulative suspensions arising due to too many violations:
Three Speeding Tickets in Massachusetts
Three speeding violations within one year incurs a
30-day suspension (aka three speeds)Five Surchargable Events
in 3 years
Any combination of five surchargeable events (tickets or accidents)
within three years requires completion of a remedial driving
course by the Mass RMV. A surchargable event is one that affects your driver's
license points and/or affects your insurance rates.Seven Surchargables
within 3 years
Any combination of seven surchargeable events (tickets or
accidents) within three years incurs a 60-day suspension and completion of a remedial driving course.
Habitual Traffic Offender - Events within 5
years
A Habitual Traffic Offender is someone the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles classifies by any combination of twelve moving violations or three
major moving violations (generally any criminal moving
violation) within five years. If you are declared to be a habitual traffic offender, you will be given a four-year suspension.
(Note: The Mass RMV does not include accident surcharges.)
Junior Operator Penalties
If you are classified as a
Junior Operator by the Mass Registry, which is a
driver under 18 years old, you are subject to extremely
strict standards.
A single speeding ticket will result in a
90 day license suspension, as well as a $50 surcharge on
top of the fine. In addition, you will have to take a
"Driver Attitudinal Retraining Course" and a SCARR program (State
Courts Against Road Rage).
Finally, you will be subject to a $500
driver's license reinstatement fee after your license
suspension.
See more
here and and the
Registry Junior Operator's Penalty page.
Under 21 Penalties
The only registry restriction for under 21 drivers is a
zero tolerance policy toward drunk driving/OUI
charges. Any BAC result above .02 will result in a license
suspension of your license for 30 days.
See more information on
underage OUI penalties in Massachusetts.
For more information on any of these classifications, refer
to the
Official Massachusetts RMV site.
You should take every step to avoid this happening to you.
Fighting and beating your current traffic or speeding ticket may be the
only way to avoid this if you have the prior violations on your record.
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