20 Linden Street
Suite 215
Allston, MA 02134
24/7 Cell: 857-251-5482
Phone: 617-254-8000
Fax: 617-254-8001
Websites
Boston Civil Litigation Attorneys
Attorney John B. Seed
John B. Seed was born in New Bedford, Massachusetts. He is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts Amherst with a B.A. in History and New England Law where he received his Juris Doctor degree. Attorney Seed is licensed to practice law in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Prior to opening his private practice, Attorney Seed was an Assistant District Attorney in Suffolk County. He began his prosecutorial career in the Chelsea District Court, where he prosecuted cases such as OUI/DWI drunk driving, gun charges, drug distribution and domestic violence. Attorney Seed was then promoted to supervisor of the Boston Municipal Court, Brighton Division. While in Brighton, Attorney Seed was the sole prosecutor for the Allston and Brighton neighborhoods of Boston. He handled thousands of cases during his time there and tried over 150 criminal cases before either a judge or jury, the majority of which were OUI/DWI drunk driving. This unique experience in the specialized area of OUI/DWI drunk driving gives Attorney Seed a distinct edge in defending your case.
Areas of Practice
Bar Admission(s)
Massachusetts
Education
Current Employment Position(s)
Trial Lawyer, Law Office of John B. Seed
Prior Professional Experience
OUI/DWI Drunk Driving Defense
It is legal in Massachusetts to drink alcohol and then drive a motor vehicle. It is only when the amount of alcohol a person drinks impairs their ability to operate a motor vehicle safely or if that person’s Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) is .08% or greater that a crime has been committed.
No person intends to get arrested for drunk driving; however, it happens to many people on a nightly basis in Massachusetts. OUI/DWI Drunk Diving is the one criminal charge that can happen to anyone. It can happen to the career criminal with a lengthy criminal record. It can also happen to the successful business man or the stay-at-home mom with no criminal record. No matter whom the offender may be, penalties for OUI/DWI Drunk Driving in Massachusetts can be severe. An offender will have to deal with an automatic license suspension and could face jail time depending on prior like offenses. Court fees and fines can total well over $1000.
That is why you need an experienced Boston Massachusetts OUI/DWI Drunk Driving attorney to help successfully defend your case and get you the best possible outcome. Attorney Seed is that attorney. As a Suffolk County prosecutor, Attorney Seed had over 150 trials involving OUI/DWI Drunk Driving. He has extensive knowledge of the standard practice and procedures of the State Police, Boston Police, Chelsea Police and Revere Police, to name a few. Attorney Seed prosecuted cases involving serious car accidents, breath test cases, field sobriety cases and State Police Roadblock (Sobriety Checkpoint) cases. Attorney Seed’s significant experience in this specialized field of criminal law will give you a distinct advantage when defending your case.
Defending Your Case in Massachusetts
OUI/DWI Drunk Driving cases can be complex and involve technical and scientific evidence. That is why you need an experienced attorney to help you defend your case. Once pulled over, an officer will immediately begin to make observations of the operator of a motor vehicle. It is here where most officers will note a distinct odor of an alcoholic beverage, bloodshot and glassy eyes and slurred speech. The officer will then ask for the operator’s license and registration, and make note of the manner in which it is retrieved. The officer will then ask the operator to step from the vehicle and perform several Field Sobriety Tests (FSTs). These often include the Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus Test (HGN), the 9 Step Walk and Turn, the One Leg Stand and in some cases, the Portable Breath Test (PBT). If the operator is arrested, they will be given an opportunity at the station to take a Chemical Breath Test.
It is your right to refuse to take any and all of these tests. If you do refuse to take a Breath Test at the station, your license will be revoked for at least 180 days. However, it is often advised to refuse all tests, as this leaves the prosecution with little evidence to use against you at trial. It is also likely that should your case be dismissed or you found not guilty, a judge may reinstate your license before the suspension is due to end.
Attorney Seed knows how to defend you against these charges and fight the various tests that Police use in an attempt to determine whether or not a person is under the influence of alcohol.
Contact us to begin fighting your OUI/DWI Drunk Driving charge today!
Guiding you through the OUI/DWI criminal process
The clock starts ticking as soon as you’ve been arrested and charged with OUI/DWI Drunk Driving in Massachusetts. Your right to drive and potentially your freedom is now at stake. That is why you need to enlist the help of someone who has years of experience both as a former prosecutor and now defense attorney dealing with the specialized area of OUI/DWI Drunk Driving.
The Experience You Need – Former Suffolk County OUI Prosecutor
Attorney John Seed is a seasoned trial attorney with over 150 cases tried as an Assistant District Attorney in Suffolk County. During his time as the supervisor of Brighton District Court, Attorney Seed worked almost exclusively with the Massachusetts State Police and Boston Police in prosecuting OUI/DWI Drunk Driving cases. Attorney Seed was asked to lecture the Boston Police on how to properly administer a breath test so that it would be admissible in court. This experience cannot be matched because Attorney Seed knows each and every argument the government will use in an attempt to convict you. Because of this, he knows just how to defend you, no matter the facts of your case. If you want to know how to win your OUI/DWI Drunk Driving case, then call (857) 251-5482 today for a free consultation.
I’ve been charged with OUI in Boston – what are my options?
There are strengths and weaknesses to every drunk driving case. The burden is always on the government to prove you guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. As any prosecutor will tell you, this is a very high burden to overcome. Here’s what to do:
My Breath Test is above the legal limit – how can I win?
THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT! Just because your breath test was above the legal limit of .08% does not mean you are Guilty. There are certain rules and regulations that police need to follow in order to properly administer a breath test. Even if they have followed the proper protocol, the Assistant District Attorney still has to properly admit all the required documents into evidence. Having served as an OUI prosecutor in the past, there is no one more qualified to go over your breath test with you and see if it was administered properly. I have succeeded in getting breath tests suppressed as evidence which means it could not be used as evidence against my client.
What about the Field Sobriety Tests?
Similar to the breath test, police officers have to follow protocol when it comes to administering field sobriety tests. Field sobriety tests are standardized tests and were developed and sponsored by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. They need to be given under certain conditions in order to determine if a person is impaired by alcohol. These tests and their validity can be attacked at trial, often times successfully.
The most common field sobriety tests are the alphabet, one-leg stand, 9 step walk and turn and the horizontal gaze nystagmus test.
When can I get my license back?
If you took and failed a breath test, then you are eligible to get your license back 30 days after the test. If you refused the test, then your license is suspended for at least 180 days.
However, for people who absolutely need their license to live and work, a plea deal can usually be reached either at arraignment or at the first pre-trial hearing. Once placed on probation, the client can arrange for an RMV hearing to get a Hardship License. This license will allow a person to drive for a specific time period throughout the day (usually 7am – 7pm) until the suspension has ended.
However, if your case is dismissed or you are found not guilty before your suspension is up, Attorney Seed will petition the court to immediately reinstate your license. Once allowed, you will go with the allowed motion and a certified copy of your docket to the RMV to get your license back.
Just want to put this behind you?
As stated above, some people either need to get their license back as soon as possible or just want to end the case and never go back to court. If this is something you want to do, then Attorney Seed can help you get a plea deal to avoid a conviction. Having someone who knows how to speak with prosecutors and advocate on your behalf can be helpful when going before the judge for a plea hearing. Attorney Seed will explain to you how the probation process works and what types of fines, fees and classes you will be required to take.
Payment Plans Available
Defending your OUI/DWI Drunk Driving case can be an expensive endeavor. However, I charge a flat fee and offer payment plans beginning at $1500, depending on the facts, seriousness and number of charges you face. I will quote you a price for pre-trial hearings and trial. Therefore, if you choose not to go trial, then you don’t pay for a trial. Pre-trial hearings include: arraignment, conferences, motion hearings and plea hearings. I also accept Visa and Mastercard.
Counsel You Can Trust
When you call my phone number, you are going to speak to me directly. I will listen to your facts and give you an honest and fair assessment of your case. No matter how bleak things may look for you, if you choose to fight your case, then I choose to fight it with you. Why call anyone else? I’ve been dedicated to the field of OUI/DUI Drunk Driving for years and know how to help you.
Call today for an initial consultation. There is never a charge or obligation for me to review your situation and determine how I can help.