Underage DUI knows that this is a very serious charge. One minute you’re at a party, relaxing with a beer with some friends, then you head on home and panic when you realize that there are flashing police lights behind you. You pull over and the police officer asks some questions, then asks you to do some field sobriety tests. Then the police officer gives you a Breathalyzer test and your result comes out to be .02% BAC (blood alcohol level). Whew! That’s well under the legal limit of .08%, right?
No, actually, it isn’t. If you’re under 21, you can be arrested for DUI even if your BAC is at .01% – that’s one-eighth of the adult legal limit. This is because of California’s Zero Tolerance Law. As a result of this law, any minor who has any alcohol or drugs in their system while driving can be charged with DUI.
Many, if not most, teenagers have no idea that if they just have half a beer or a few sips of a mixed drink, they could get hit with a DUI charge that will undermine many aspects of their life now and future progress. If convicted of an underage DUI, your sentence will likely include:
- 1-year driver’s license suspension (minimum)
- DUI classes
- Steep fines
Plus you’ll have to report your DUI conviction on your college admissions and job applications, just like an adult would.
An underage DUI and your permanent record
But an underage DUI is different from a regular DUI in one key way: it won’t be part of your permanent criminal record. That’s because an underage DUI is charged as an infraction – not a misdemeanor or felony – so it won’t show up when people conduct background checks on you after you turn 21.
Want to avoid a DUI conviction all together?
The best way to avoid a DUI conviction is to make sure you don’t drink any alcohol or take any drugs before getting behind the wheel, but if it’s too late for that and you’ve already been arrested, don’t lose hope. There are still many ways to potentially avoid a DUI conviction.
The most effective way to find out what legal avenues may be open to you in your underage DUI case is by contacting Attorney Dan Chambers of the Chambers Law Firm for expert assistance throughout your case. Attorney Chambers has been helping people just like you navigate their underage DUI cases and successfully realize favorable outcomes for over 33 years.
Anyone who’s been arrested for underage DUI is welcome to contact the Chambers Law Firm to schedule a free initial case evaluation with Attorney Dan Chambers ASAP after their arrest. Simply call 714-760-4088, email dchambers@clfca.com, or use the chat box below to schedule your appointment now.
