What statute defines OUI in Massachusetts?

M.G.L. c. 90, § 24 is the controlling OUI statute in Massachusetts. You can read the current text on the official code site at malegislature.gov.

What is the Massachusetts implied-consent law?

M.G.L. c. 90, § 24(1)(f) is the implied-consent provision. It sets out the consequences of refusing a chemical test after a lawful OUI arrest.

Massachusetts DUI Statutes: The Code Sections That Control Your Case

The statutes that control Massachusetts OUI cases

OUI in Massachusetts is defined by M.G.L. c. 90, § 24, and the chemical-testing rules sit in M.G.L. c. 90, § 24(1)(f). Both are published in the official state code at malegislature.gov, which is the only version that governs — summaries elsewhere, including ours, can lag amendments.

Massachusetts official code — OUI statute

Statutory text, definitions, BAC thresholds and sentencing ranges.

Implied-consent provision

What refusing a breath, blood or urine test costs you.

Statute at a glance

Massachusetts OUI law at a glance

Sourced from the Massachusetts code and state agency sites. Verify current text before relying on it.

Offense name: OUI (Massachusetts)
Controlling statute: M.G.L. c. 90, § 24
Implied consent: M.G.L. c. 90, § 24(1)(f)
Per se BAC limit: 0.08 (0.04 CDL, 0.02 or lower under 21)
First-offense fine: $500–$5,000
First-offense jail exposure: up to 2 years
Licence suspension: 45 days
Ignition interlock: Not automatic on a first offense
Trial court: the District Court
High-risk filing: SR-22 for 3 years

Most first offences resolve through a § 24D disposition with an alcohol education program.

First-offense exposure under M.G.L. c. 90, § 24: $500–$5,000, up to 2 years of jail exposure, and a 45 days licence suspension. Most first offences resolve through a § 24D disposition with an alcohol education program.

What M.G.L. c. 90, § 24 actually says

G.L. c. 90, § 24 — the Commonwealth must prove the defendant operated a motor vehicle on a way or place to which the public has access.
G.L. c. 90, § 24 — it must also prove the defendant did so while under the influence of intoxicating liquor.
G.L. c. 90, § 24 — operating with a blood alcohol level of .08 percent or greater is a separate theory chargeable in the same complaint.
G.L. c. 90, § 24 also reaches operating under the influence of drugs, including marijuana and narcotics.

Charging documents cite the exact subsection, so check which one appears on your citation. The posted text on malegislature.gov carries an effective date — amendments passed after it are not yet reflected.

Other Massachusetts sections that control the case

G.L. c. 90, § 24D

First-offender alcohol education programme disposition.

G.L. c. 90, § 24

The operating-under-the-influence offense.

Massachusetts ZIP codes covered

These Massachusetts ZIP-code pages carry the local court, filing and licensing detail for the area, and each one links back to this resource page.

Counties and cities using these Massachusetts resources

Other Massachusetts official resources

Massachusetts DUI Courts: Where Your Case Is Heard Massachusetts Driver Licensing After a DUI: Hearings, Reinstatement & SR-22

Frequently asked questions

What statute defines OUI in Massachusetts?: M.G.L. c. 90, § 24 is the controlling OUI statute in Massachusetts. You can read the current text on the official code site at malegislature.gov.
What is the Massachusetts implied-consent law?: M.G.L. c. 90, § 24(1)(f) is the implied-consent provision. It sets out the consequences of refusing a chemical test after a lawful OUI arrest.