Being Charged With Underage DUI

If you're faced with underaged DUI within the state of Callifornia, you must contact a DUI lawyer immediately, because California has zero tolerance for underaged driving under the influence. In California, this zero tolerance policy causes the courts to become quite harsh with offenders and thus have a tendency to dole out unsympathetic sentences that can dramatically impact your life. You'll be arrested and charged with underaged DUI if it is discovered that you are operating a vehicle while intoxicated by alcohol and when your BAC (blood alcohol content) is 0.01% or more and you're under 21 years old. You may also be charged with regular DUI when you are under age 21 and also your BAC lever is 0.05% or higher. There are no mandatory sentences and punishments in California if your BAC level is below 0.08% unless the car's driver is over the age of eighteen and the BAC measures at 0.05% or greater.

Penalties of Underage DUI

The penalties which can be available for those who are found guilty of DUI can be harsh, and might include:

• Jail time. The charge of DUI can get you in jail, even if you are a first time offender. A sentence of some months up to a year may be handed down. Because you are going to have a criminal history and often will have with you the stigma of time in jail, it is possible that you might lose your job as well as your home, and you can dramatically affect your future option to rent a property or obtain a job. But that's not everything.

• Suspension of license to operate a motor vehicle. If you are faced with underage DUI, you face other strict penalties beyond serving an amount of time in jail. An underaged driver who is found guilty of DUI no longer is allowed to operate a motorized vehicle. License suspension with underage DUI for that first offense is a one year suspension. With subsequent offenses, that period of time can extend to as much as 36 months. According to the particular specifics of your own case, if you're convicted of underage DUI it might lead to your car getting impounded or perhaps sold at your own expense.

• Fines along with special requirements. As if getting your car impounded or confiscated is not enough, those who are convicted of underage DUI can face fines that often stack up in the thousands of dollars. You may be forced to attend special programs for abusing drugs or alcohol abuse and/or driving safety classes. In some cases the judge might order you to get your vehicle furnished with a machine that will test your breath for alcohol before your engine is able to start. This equipment would be put on the vehicle at your own expense.

• Increased penalties. If you're a driver who elects not to submit to chemical testing when stopped for suspicion of DUI, you can even have your license suspended. Should this happen to you twice within ten years, you may lose your license for a minimum of 36 months. Even if you have the right to decline chemical testing, you will likely be treated just like you obtained a test and punishment will be handed down accordingly.

An Attorney for Underage DUI

Even though you intend on pleading guilty to the offense, an experienced DUI lawyer is needed to handle the difficulties of the DUI case. If you're younger than 21, contacting a DUI lawyer right away following a DUI arrest is important to the successful outcome of your case.

So, underage drinking and driving is not only dangerous, but can also also result in great cost, inconvenience and potentially loss of freedom.


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If you are trying to find a quality Sacramento criminal attorney then contact the Law Offices of Brianne Doyle. She's a skilled Sacramento criminal defense lawyer and can give you the assistance you need to get through your arrest. Visit her website or give her a call at 916-806-6400.