Former Uxbridge Superintendent Found Not Guilty in OUI Case

Former Uxbridge Superintendent Found Not Guilty in OUI Case

CLINTON, MA — July 21, 2025

Michael Baldassarre, the former Superintendent of Uxbridge Public Schools, was found not guilty of operating under the influence (OUI) at Clinton District Court on Monday morning. The ruling followed a short bench trial in which key factual evidence contradicted the arresting officer’s account.

The case stemmed from a traffic stop that occurred six months ago, during which Baldassarre was alleged to have been speeding and exhibiting signs of impairment. However, the cruiser that initiated the stop was not equipped with radar, laser, or any factual speed detection device, and lacked a dashboard camera.

It was Baldassarre’s good fortune that the arresting officer wore a body cam, which ultimately played a pivotal role in the trial. The video footage showed Baldassarre speaking clearly and responding coherently to officers’ questions, directly contradicting testimony that his speech had been slurred.  In their testimony, state troopers stated that Baldassarre’s balance was completely intact.  He didn’t even touch his vehicle as he exited it.

After reviewing the evidence, the judge stated that Baldassarre’s speech was clearly not slurred and that Baldassarre was cooperative, shooting down the allegation of uncooperativeness made in the police report.  The judge noted that a person asking questions about their rights cannot be considered uncooperative. 

The verdict of not guilty, brought an end to a legal process that had profound personal and professional consequences for Baldassarre, who resigned from his position as superintendent following the charges.

“I’m relieved,” Baldassarre said outside the courtroom. “This has been a devastating chapter in my life. I’m grateful to the court for its careful review of the facts.”

The case highlights growing public concerns about the use of subjective interpretation in traffic stops, particularly in the absence of objective tools, such as radar and dashcams.

Despite the verdict, Baldassarre acknowledged that the road to rebuilding his reputation is just beginning. “Not guilty means nothing,” He said.  “These events have forever changed my life.  Of course, I’m happy with the verdict.” He said, “Now the rebuilding begins.” 

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Months ago, I swore that I’d do everything in my power to use my experience to connect with, uplift, and inspire others.  I am keeping to that. 

You gotta understand this though…

Yesterday morning, I sat as a defendant before a judge.  As the lawyers examined and then cross-examined the state police, I was advised that, regardless of what they said, even if it was entirely false, I should not make any facial expressions.  That was hard.  Then the video footage directly contradicted their claims. Then the judge…”Not Guilty.” 

When I eventually turned around and saw that the reporter who was there to crucify me at my arraignment was nowhere in sight, disappointment consumed me.  Six months ago, the allegations made against me dominated the news for two full days.  The reporters were pounding on my door.  A truck sat in front of my house for hours.

This…the evidence.  The facts.  They don’t care.  I guess people don’t click on that type of stuff. 

How on earth can I make this a positive, uplifting, or inspirational post?  AI was kind enough to write the article above for me.  If nothing else, living through this taught me that truth shouldn’t be at the mercy of media clicks. In this case, AI told my story more honestly than any reporter could or would.

I took a day to think about this post, and here is what I came up with: 

You can lose nearly everything and still keep your soul.

You can sit in silence while people lie about you. You can walk through your hometown with your head down, knowing people are whispering. You can go to sleep each night praying the truth will matter in the morning – and still get up the next day and keep moving forward.

I know dignity is quiet. And pain doesn’t always show up with bruises – it can show up in the form of isolation, shame, and silence when the cameras go dark.

But I’m still here.

Not because I beat a case. But because I didn’t let it beat me. The verdict said Not Guilty.

And I say, I’m still standing.  I’m still here.  I’m not done.