Driving under the influence of alcohol is a serious crime. This is even more the case if you are doing so as a driver who has yet to reach the age of 21.
There is a unique set of standards for anyone who is arrested for underage DUI. If you find yourself in this position, you need to learn more about your legal rights, potential consequences and defense strategies.
Here is the first thing you need to know: it is illegal for anyone under the age of 21 to purchase and/or possess alcohol in every state.
Thanks to zero tolerance laws, it is a crime for underage drivers to operate a motor vehicle with even the smallest amount of alcohol in his or her system. In other words, it only takes one beer or glass of wine to have an impact on a person’s body, thus leading to a potential underage DUI arrest.
The impact of an underage DUI conviction can be far-reaching. For example, it can lead to a loss of license, which can make it difficult for a teenager to attend school or work. Additionally, those charges can have an impact on future car insurance coverage and employment background checks.
Since underage DUI offenses are such a big deal, anyone charged with this crime needs to take immediate action. There is no surefire way to avoid a conviction, but there are steps you can take to help lessen the consequences.
The best way to avoid trouble is to pass on alcohol altogether. However, if you made the mistake of drinking and driving and were arrested as a result, you must learn more about the legal process and how to protect your rights.
Source: FindLaw, “Underage DUI: Zero Tolerance Laws,” accessed Sep. 14, 2017
