Legal Question in Criminal Law in Massachusetts

A lot of what's going to happen depends on the facts of the case and the gravity of the circumstances. At arraignment, 3 issues are discussed: first is the entry of a plea -- in Massachusetts it's pretty much an automatic Not Guilty plea at first, to give the person a chance to fully understand all options and all rights. The second issue is the right to an attorney. A person may qualify to have a public defender appointed at a nominal cost, choose to represent themselves, or hire a private attorney. The third issue is bail, which may include conditions imposed by a judge that must be observed until the next date. In a case like yours, such conditions may include a curfew, remaining alcohol-free, etc.

The chances of a dismissal again depends on the particularities of the case. Sometimes it's possible to dismiss a case like this even before the arraignment, so that there is no record of any kind. At other times, a dismissal may come at a later date. In some cases, dismissal may not even be an option.

Good luck!