Penalties For Underage DUI
When a minor below twenty-one years drive a motor vehicle while under the influence of drugs or alcohol, the charge is called Underage DUI. Under this class(below twenty-one years), drivers accused of driving under the influence can have their license suspended and other criminal and civil punishments. The minimum age of drinking has been set to 21 years in all fifty states. An exception may be considered if in the company of a senior or a parent.0.08 is the right blood alcohol content(BAC) set by the states at which a licensed driver can drive a motor vehicle. To legally drive, your blood alcohol content should be below 0.08. Regardless of your blood alcohol content, impaired driving can have you arrested and convicted in a court of law.
Minimum Tolerance Levels
Many states have set tolerance levels for drivers under twenty-one years. A tolerance level of 0.01, close to zero, or zero-tolerance levels is set by many of the states. A man who weighs 150 pounds after having a bottle of alcohol can reach 0.02 percent of blood alcohol content is not less than one hour. In another scenario, a lady with average body weight can drink less alcohol than that and still have a BAC of 0.02% for more than an hour. Underage drivers in such a case could be charged for driving under the influence even if the prosecutor did not prove that their driving was affected by alcohol or their conduct while driving was not suspicious.
Penalties For Underage DUI
Different scenarios have different charges, but typical punishments for driving under the influence include:
- Detention in a juvenile center.
- Probation of three-five years.
- Fines ranging from a few hundred to several thousand.
- Ordered to join a DUI school.
- Attend community service instead of jail or have a short jail time combined with community service.
- New offenders may spend a day in jail. Multiple offenders may serve up to several years in prison.
- Motor vehicle impoundment.
- Your driving license may be revoked or suspended.
There are aggravating factors that can lead to any of the above penalties being enhanced. They include:
- Being multiple offenders.
- Driving without a driver’s license.
- Driving with a suspended license.
- Driving while your license was revoked.
- An elevated blood alcohol content.
You can trigger felony charges by causing severe road carnage where people are badly injured, or death occurs to the victims. Driving passengers who happen to be minors can also aggravate felony charges, increasing the civil and criminal penalties for driving under the influence of defendants.
Contact a lawyer in your state to have a look at your options.
DON’T DRINK AND DRIVE!
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