This is probably brand news to you – very few people know this – but did you know that it’s illegal for minors to transport alcohol?
That’s right! There are serious legal repercussions that come about if a minor is discovered to be transporting alcohol in his or her vehicle. Crazy, right?
It’s part of California law. So if you’re planning a family camping trip or simply a trip to the beach for a BBQ, make sure the beers don’t go in your minor son or daughter’s car. If they’re under 21 and a police officer discovers that they’re transporting alcohol, their car could be taken by police for 30 days. If a parent isn’t present, the car will be automatically impounded.
Even if the minor hasn’t even had a sip of alcohol, their car will be confiscated by police if they transport alcohol. Make sure your minor sons and daughters are aware that there can be real consequences if they have alcohol in their car at any time.
Zero Tolerance Law
It’s also a good idea to discuss underage drinking with minor sons and daughters. California has a Zero Tolerance Law which indicates that a minor may not drive with ANY alcohol in their system. Even if a minor is found to have a .01% blood alcohol level—one-eighth of the adult limit—they could be arrested for underage DUI.
Underage DUI sentences
Sentences for underage DUI are super harsh – even if the minor doesn’t have any previous charges on their record. If the minor is convicted, their license will be suspended for at least one year, even if they’ve never been charged with any other crime. Underage DUI is an infraction – not a misdemeanor or felony – so at least there’s no risk of jail time. But the minor will have to list the DUI charge on college admissions and job applications, so a DUI conviction can have real ripple effects.
Getting arrested for underage DUI is no joke. California law takes underage drinking and driving very seriously, so if your son or daughter has been arrested for underage DUI, you need to find a DUI defense attorney you can really trust.
Underage DUI specialist
Southern California’s top underage DUI attorney is Dan Chambers of the Chambers Law Firm. You can count on him to provide you and your son or daughter with solid legal advice and representation throughout their DUI case. He’s very communicative – he always strives to answer client calls and emails within 24/7.
All prospective clients (and their parents, if the client is a minor) are welcome to schedule a free case evaluation with Attorney Dan Chambers now by calling 714-760-4088, emailing dchambers@clfca.com, or by using the chat box below.
