Most, if not all, people have no idea about the shocking consequences of underage DUI. You’d think the law would be more lenient on minors who may not know or understand the consequences of drinking and driving, but California underage DUI law is incredibly harsh. If you get arrested for DUI and you’re under 21, you’re in serious trouble.
DUI is always a crime that’s prosecuted vigorously, and underage DUI is no different. If you’ve been arrested for underage DUI, you should find out what the consequences will likely be if you are convicted.
California’s Zero Tolerance Law
You may be shocked to find out that California has a Zero Tolerance Law when it comes to underage DUI. That means that even if you have a couple sips of an alcoholic drink before driving, you could be arrested and charged with DUI. Whereas the adult blood alcohol level limit is .08%, minors are considered DUI if they even have a .01% blood alcohol limit – that’s one-eighth of the adult limit. So if you’re a minor and you want to avoid getting arrested for DUI, don’t even have a tiny bit of alcohol before driving home. It’s just not worth the risk!
Other potential repercussions
If you’re convicted of an underage DUI, you can expect your life to be dramatically impacted. Your driver’s license will be suspended for a minimum of one year, you may have to attend DUI classes and counseling, and you’ll have to pay heavy fines. This conviction will affect your long-term future, too – you’ll have to report your DUI conviction on college and job applications.
A silver lining
An underage DUI isn’t charged as a felony or misdemeanor – it’s an infraction, so it won’t be part of your permanent criminal record if you are convicted. There’s no risk of jail time if you’re convicted.
Get help quickly
The best way to protect yourself against an underage DUI conviction is to enlist the expert assistance of Attorney Dan Chambers of the Chambers Law Firm. He’s been assisting clients with underage DUI charges for over 33 years, so he’ll know exactly what to do to decrease the likelihood of a conviction in your exact case.
Free initial case evaluation
All prospective clients should schedule a free initial case evaluation with Attorney Chambers at one of his 7 Southern California offices (Irvine, Beverly Hills, San Bernardino, Riverside, Los Angeles, San Diego and Santa Ana). Simply call 714-760-4088, email dchambers@clfca.com, or use the chat box below to schedule your appointment ASAP after your arrest for underage DUI.
