The Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles Board of Appeals is a three-member panel consisting of one member appointed by the RMV, one appointed by the Attorney General and one who serves as a Chairman appointed by the Commissioner of Insurance. The Board was established and derives its authority from Massachusetts General Law Chapter 26 §8A.
The Board has jurisdiction over appeals related to license suspension, hardship licensing, immediate threat suspensions, revocations, and ignition interlock devise matters. In 2011 the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court (SJC) determined that The Board has “overarching authority to affirm, modify, or annul any decision of the Registry.” As a result of this decision the SJC conferred upon them overarching power which essentially makes them the Final Authority when it comes to matters involving license suspension.
If you have been denied your license by an RMV Hearings officer, the RMV Board of Appeals is your final option to reverse the determination. As such it is critical that you hire a qualified attorney who will give you the best opportunity to get you back on the road. Often suspensions can extend for years and in some cases indefinitely and if you fail to overturn the decision it may mean that you need to wait years more to get back your license.
The board requires a 2/3 majority to vote to overturn a license suspension or grant a hardship license. Here at Bonville and Howard we will work with you to build your case so that you will go into the hearing knowing that you have a qualified experienced attorney who will relentlessly and tirelessly advocate for you.
The loss of one’s licensing is devastating and can cost you thousands in lost income, paying for rides, causing a disconnect from family and friends not to mention the shame that many feel having to tell others that they cannot make interviews, gatherings, work etc. because they do not have a license.
Because of how much rides on one hearing before the RMV Board of Appeals, you should never appeal to the board alone. Simply put, if you had a toothache would you go to a dentist, or pull your own tooth? The same logic can be applied when deciding if you should hire a lawyer for a license appeal.