DUI Under 21
Driving drunk is a serious offense no matter what your age. When you are under the age of 21 and choose to drive drunk, it is important to know that the penalties that you face could be as serious as those of any other driver. First and foremost, you are committing a crime when you drive drunk. Just because you may be a minor does not mean that you are exempt from the penalties that apply to adult drunk drivers, and you may be surprised to learn of the severity and extent of DUI penalties.
DUI Penalties
The punishment that the court issues to underage drunk drivers depends on how drunk you were at the time of your arrest. Under the law, your level of drunkenness is determined by your blood alcohol content (BAC). A BAC reading of .02 or higher may result in a DUI arrest. The penalties you face are associated with your BAC level, which in Florida are divided as follows:
- .02 to .05 BAC: Suspension of your driver’s license for at least 6 months.
- .05 to .08 BAC: Suspension of your driver’s license for at least 6 months and until completion of a substance abuse educational course.
- .08 BAC or higher: Standard penalties applied to all drunk drivers, including license suspension, fines, jail time, probation, community service, and enrollment in an educational course.
Why You May Need a Lawyer
While driving drunk under 21 is a serious offense, it is equally serious to be charged with a crime if the evidence does not adequately support the charge. A lawyer with experience in DUI defense can examine all of the details of your arrest and look for weaknesses in the case against you or signs that your rights were violated during the arrest or booking and bail process. Drunk driving is taken very seriously in Florida, and even for a minor offense you may face an overzealous prosecution. A good lawyer can help protect your rights fight to make sure you get a fair hearing.
Contact Us
For sound legal advice and assistance with your underage DUI case, don’t hesitate to contact an experienced West Palm Beach criminal attorney from Eric N. Klein & Associates, P.A. today at 561-353-2800.
