OUI Defendants Notified Of Breathalyzer Problems In Worcester County

Press release from the Office of the Worcester County District Attorney:

February 10, 2021

WORCESTER — More than 4,700 Worcester County defendants charged with operating under the influence of alcohol will receive letters in the mail saying they may be entitled to a new trial because of problems with breathalyzer evidence, according to Worcester County District Attorney Joseph D. Early Jr.

Breathalyzer tests administered between 2011 and 2018 and used in criminal trials were found to be inadmissible evidence by District Court Judge Robert Brennan. The decision came after some criminal defendants challenged the accuracy of the breathalyzer tests. The letters, from the Trial Court, were sent to OUI defendants in Worcester County this week.

Statewide, there are about 27,000 defendants who may be eligible to contest their convictions.

This press release was produced by the Office of the Worcester County District Attorney. The views expressed are the author's own.