A DUI conviction is never good news, but when the situation is an underage DUI conviction, the consequences can be truly devastating. The truth is that the state of California maintains a Zero Tolerance policy for drinking and driving, which means that if a person under the age of 21 has even the tiniest amount of detectable alcohol in their system, they could be charged with a DUI.
Keep reading to get the facts about these types of cases and contact Chambers Law Firm at 714-760-4088 for a free legal consultation if you are facing DUI charges in California.
Potential Charges and Consequences of Underage DUI Convictions
The charge an underage driver will face depends on the specifics of their case. The potential charges are as follows:
- BAC of 0.01+: This can be charged as a DMV violation with a mandatory one-year license suspension.
- BAC of 0.05+: This can be charged as an infraction, which results in a license suspension and $100 in fines. It could also require the competition of an alcohol education program.
- BAC of 0.08+. This is charged as a misdemeanor and can result in license suspension, $390 to $1,000 in fines, up to six months in jail, three to five years of probation, and a required alcohol education program.
Note that if a person falls into the third category, they can be charged with all of the violations listed. However, it will only count as a single DUI conviction on your record.
The Importance of Fighting an Underage DUI
When you have an underage DUI conviction on your record, there could be serious issues that haunt you for years to come. For example, if a college or employment application asks about any criminal background you have, you are legally obligated to tell them about the DUI – even if it was a misdemeanor. Depending on the school or job, this could keep you from moving forward with your life as planned.
There Are Legal Defense Options to a Charge of Underage DUI
Even if your case seems impossible to overcome, there might be legal defense options that can work for you. For example, the traffic stop might have been unlawful, the equipment used to test your BAC might have been faulty, or your reading might have resulted from your recent use of mouthwash.
Even if there are no legal arguments to have the charges dropped, we can negotiate with the prosecutor for the best possible outcome. Contact Chambers Law Firm at 714-760-4088 now for a free legal consultation.
