Joseph J. Higgins

I’m a partner at the Law Offices of Milligan & Higgins in Rockland, Massachusetts, where my practice is primarily focused on OUI/DUI/DWI defense and RMV/Board of Appeal driver's license matters. I graduated from Connecticut College in New London, Connecticut, in 2006 with a double major in Government and Economics. During my time there, I was a four-year member of the men’s lacrosse team and competed in the New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC). After college, I attended Suffolk University Law School in Boston, Massachusetts, earning my juris doctor degree in 2009. Following the bar exam, I worked as an Assistant District Attorney in Plymouth County from 2009 to 2012, where I prosecuted a wide range of criminal cases. In September 2012, I left the DA’s Office to partner with Jay Milligan. Early in my career, I made the decision to focus on representing individuals charged with OUI in Massachusetts. I came to understand that many people charged with OUI/DUI/DWI are not what most would consider “criminals.” The reality is that it’s surprisingly easy to be charged with OUI in Massachusetts, and it happens to good people every day. Sometimes it’s the result of having one drink too many; other times, it’s simply bad luck. In most cases, it’s a mistake or a brief lapse in judgment. Recognizing this has allowed me to take pride in knowing that my clients trust me to help them through these challenging situations. That trust is integral to a successful defense. Over the past 13 years, I’ve appeared in more than 60 courts and have tried nearly 500 OUI cases. Each year, approximately 90 percent of my trials result in either a dismissal or a Not Guilty verdict. I live on the South Shore with my wife and daughter. In my free time, I enjoy traveling with my family and golfing. Lately, I’ve developed a growing interest in golf history and golf course architecture.