Drinking under the influence commonly referred to as DUI, is not only an offense for adults but minors as well. When you’re caught driving under the influence of alcohol or other drug substances, you risk paying fines and serving a jail term. Underage driving under the influence is taken seriously in the United States, and minors who are caught driving under the influence of drug substances or alcohol can land in severe legal trouble.
If a police officer suspects that a teen is driving under influence of alcohol, he/she will subject the minor to the typical Blood Alcohol Content breath test. If alcohol is detected in the teen’s breath, then he/she will be taken into custody, and their vehicle towed. According to statistics, at least one in every ten high school teens drinks and drives.
Zero Tolerance Laws
You are drunk, driving and underage. This means that you’ve committed two illegalities at the same time. First, the law prohibits underage minors from purchasing or being in possession of alcohol in all states in the U.S. All states have zero tolerance for driving under the influence of alcohol or other drug substances.
Although adult drivers will only be found culpable if their blood to alcohol content exceeds 0.08%, the law is a bit strict when it comes to minors below the age of 21. An underage driver even with an insignificant amount of alcohol in their blood system ranging between 0.01 and 0.02 will be apprehended. Think about this, even a half glass of wine taken during dinner time can easily subject a minor to DUI charge.
What are the Penalties for Underage DUI?
The DUI citation in all states may result in revocation of your driver’s license, fines, mandatory alcohol education, and a lengthy probation period. In some rare cases, an underage driver can even be handed a jail term on their first drunk driving offense if the case is serious.
You should also keep in mind that if you get a DUI and you’re under 21, but over 18, the magistrate may treat you as an adult. The legal penalties for underage Dui include the following:
- A fine of up to $500
- A minimum of 30 and a maximum of 180 days driver license suspension
- Mandatory alcohol education classes
- Six months of probation
- A minimum of 8 and a maximum of 40 hours of community service
As a parent, you’re expected to be a good example to your child. Don’t drink and drive and always remind your teenager to avoid alcohol until they become adults. Parents should also remember that providing alcohol to an underage is an offense and can lead to a fine of up to $4,000 and a one-year jail term.
Have You Been Charged with an Underage DUI?
Chamberlin Law Firm is experienced in dealing with DUI charges, and we will help you advocate for a favorable judgment while protecting your best interests. Contact us today for assistance.
Posted on: 19 Feb, 2018
