OUI Clerk-Magistrate Hearings
In some circumstances, the police do not arrest you, and instead issue a citation charging you with operating under the influence of liquor or drugs. It is critical in these instances to sign the back of the citation and returning the citation to request a Clerk-Magistrate's hearing. The citation must be signed and returned as soon as possible.
If you have received a notice directing you to attend a Clerk-Magistrate's hearing, you likely do not yet have a criminal record on the charge. This presents an important opportunity to stop the prosecution before it begins. While the legal standard for issuing a complaint is low, sometimes you have other options to avoid being charged with the crime.
Keeping the charge off your arrest record can often limit your license loss, or eliminate any licensing penalty altogether! We Can Help You Through The Process The Massachusetts criminal defense lawyers at Bellotti Law Group, P.C. have over 80 years combined experience handling criminal cases as prosecutors and defense lawyers. We have an impressive record when defending clients at Clerk-Magistrates hearings. Often these hearings are held in small conference rooms in the courthouse with police officers — sometimes the same officers who encountered you during the incident — making their case to the Clerk while you all sit at a table together.
This can be an intimidating experience for an individual to attend alone. Moreover, because of the nature of the hearing, conventional methods of defending yourself using the facts of the case may cause the Clerk to issue the complaint and charge you because he or she decided that the judge and jury can best deal with the case.
Your options depend upon the facts of your case. Time is of the essence because RMV/DMV notices come with deadlines and cutoff dates.
Bellotti Law Group, P.C. serves Greater Boston from our offices in Cambridge and Quincy. Contact us today, for a free legal consultation today. Contact us at 617-225-2100 or use our contact form.
Client Reviews
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I hired Peter as my attorney for a very complicated case involving misidentification for an A&B case. Peter set expectations from day one and stuck to his plan. The case ended up going to a jury trial. Peter was thoroughly prepared and was able to prove the misidentification and won the case with a not guilty verdict on all counts… I would highly recommend the Bellotti Law Group to anyone who needs a lawyer. Matt
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Peter Bellotti is an outstanding lawyer. I am a professional who has never been in trouble with the law and I was arrested and charged under some very unfortunate circumstances. I was devastated and talked to numerous different high-rated criminal defense attorneys. Among them Peter Bellotti stood out, he seemed to genuinely care about my case and fully understand my concerns about my reputation… My case was dismissed and I would recommend him to anyone who needs top quality legal representation. Anonymous
★★★★★
I am an anxious person by nature and when I was arrested last year I thought that my life was over. The charges were very serious and I felt helpless, devastated and embarrassed…After explaining the circumstances that led to my arrest, Attorney Bellotti told me that "the charges, while serious, were defensible…” Peter was the 4th lawyer that I met with and I am so lucky to have had him on my side. I will always be grateful to Peter and I would highly, highly, highly recommend him to anyone looking for an intelligent, creative, determined and skilled attorney. Michael
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Peter Bellotti successfully managed not one, but three complex legal situations for me. He combines superb legal insight and instincts with unrelenting energy and authentic compassion in the service of his clients. Finding him was was one of the most fortunate events of my life. Talk to him before deciding on an attorney. Anonymous