Taunton DUI Lawyer

Taunton DUI LawyerCriminal Defense Attorney Rory Munns2026-09-30T18:10:52-04:00

A Taunton DUI lawyer defends drivers arrested for operating under the influence in Taunton and nearby towns, where OUI cases are heard at Taunton District Court, 40 Broadway. A first offense carries a $500 to $5,000 fine, up to 2.5 years in jail, and up to a year of license loss, and every OUI counts as a prior for life. Rory Munns of Mass DUI Guy defends OUI cases in the Bristol County courts and is licensed in Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Call 401-573-2265 for a free consultation.

Quick answer: An OUI arrest in Taunton, Raynham, Berkley, Dighton, Easton, Rehoboth, or Seekonk is arraigned at Taunton District Court and prosecuted by the Bristol County District Attorney. A failed breath test brings an immediate 30-day RMV suspension, and a refusal brings at least 180 days, with a hearing that must be requested within 15 days. Most first offenses end in dismissal, a 24D disposition, or trial. Second offenses carry mandatory jail, and a third offense is a felony that can be indicted in Bristol Superior Court.

Taunton sits where Route 24, Route 44, Route 140, and Route 138 meet, and Taunton Police and the State Police watch those roads closely, along with downtown and Broadway. An OUI arrest starts two separate cases: a criminal case under M.G.L. c. 90, § 24 at Taunton District Court, and a license case at the Registry of Motor Vehicles. The deadlines in the first two weeks affect both.

Where Taunton OUI cases are heard

Taunton District Court, at 40 Broadway, hears criminal cases from Taunton, Raynham, Berkley, Dighton, Easton, Rehoboth, and Seekonk. First and second offense OUI cases are normally arraigned and resolved there. Felony OUI charges, such as a third or later offense or an OUI causing serious bodily injury, can be indicted and tried in Bristol Superior Court, which also sits in Taunton.

What Happens During a Taunton OUI Arrest

Most arrests begin with a traffic stop, which requires reasonable suspicion of a violation. If the officer reports an odor of alcohol, bloodshot eyes, or slurred speech, you may be asked to perform field sobriety tests such as the walk and turn and the one leg stand. Those roadside tests are voluntary, and declining them does not trigger a suspension. After an arrest, you are booked and offered a breath test at the station. Refusing that test brings an RMV suspension, but the refusal generally cannot be used as evidence at trial. You will then be given an arraignment date at Taunton District Court.

Penalties for OUI in Taunton

• First offense: $500 to $5,000 fine, up to 2.5 years in the house of correction, and up to one year of license loss.
• Second offense: $600 to $10,000 fine, mandatory jail, a two-year license suspension, and an ignition interlock.
• Third offense: a felony with 180 days to five years and an eight-year license suspension.
• Breath test refusal: an RMV suspension of 180 days for a first refusal by a driver 21 or older, three years for a driver under 21 or with one prior, five years with two priors, and life with three or more.

Massachusetts counts prior OUI offenses for life, not within a lookback window. See our Massachusetts DUI penalties page for the full breakdown.

The 24D Disposition

Many first offenders resolve their case through a 24D disposition under M.G.L. c. 90, § 24D. The case is continued without a finding, and the driver completes probation, an alcohol education program, and fees, with a license loss of 45 to 90 days instead of up to a year. A 24D is not a conviction, but it counts as a prior offense for life on any future OUI. It is a choice to weigh against the evidence: when the case has real weaknesses, a dismissal or trial may be the better path. See DUI first offense.

Defenses to a Taunton OUI

• The stop. A vague claim of weaving, or a single touch of the fog line the video does not show, may not justify a stop.
• Field sobriety tests. Tests given on uneven ground, in bad weather, or to someone with an injury or medical condition are unreliable.
• The breath test. The device and the operator must be certified, you must be observed before the test, and two samples must agree within 0.02.
• Medical conditions. Diabetes, reflux, and inner ear problems can mimic signs of impairment.
• Your rights at the station. Statements taken without proper warnings, or a denied phone call, can support suppression.

7 Things to Know About a Taunton OUI

1. There are two cases. The court case and the RMV license case run on separate tracks.
2. The refusal deadline is 15 days. Missing it waives the hearing.
3. Roadside tests are voluntary. Declining them does not trigger a suspension.
4. A refusal is not evidence at trial. It carries a license penalty but generally cannot be used to prove guilt.
5. Priors count for life. A 24D or conviction from any year counts on a new charge.
6. Checkpoints have rules. A sobriety checkpoint must follow a written plan with neutral selection.
7. A missed court date means a warrant. Call a lawyer right away if you miss one.

How a Taunton OUI Case Moves

1. Arrest and breath test. Any RMV suspension begins at the station.
2. Arraignment. The complaint is read at Taunton District Court and release conditions are set.
3. Discovery. The report, booking and cruiser video, and breath test records are obtained.
4. Motions. The stop, the arrest, the tests, and any statements are challenged.
5. Resolution. Dismissal, a 24D disposition, a reduction to a non-OUI charge, or trial.
6. Reinstatement. Program completion and RMV reinstatement, with an interlock when required.

Why Hire Rory Munns

Rory Munns focuses his practice on OUI and criminal defense in the Bristol County courts, including Taunton District Court. He reviews every case for dismissal grounds before recommending any plea, handles the RMV side of the license alongside the criminal case, and answers the phone day and night. He is licensed in Massachusetts and Rhode Island, which matters for the many Rhode Island drivers arrested on Routes 24 and 44. His office is at 161 South Main Street in Fall River.

Related Reading

• Mass DUI Attorney
• Bristol County DUI Lawyer
• Fall River DUI Lawyer
• New Bedford DUI Attorney
• Mass Breathalyzer Refusal Attorney