What Should You Know if Your Teen Gets a DUI?

Parenting a teen is challenging no matter what the specific situation, but your teen facing legal trouble can be one of the most difficult things that happen to your family. Especially challenging is the thought of your teen getting a DUI, but unfortunately that can sometimes be a reality.

Unlike people who are 21 and older, a teen can’t drink even a very minimal amount and still legally drive. The 0.08 limit doesn’t apply to teens. Since a teen can’t legally drink alcohol, there is a zero-tolerance policy for driving under the influence.

If your teen is charged with a DUI, as a parent there are some things to know, including the best ways to get a DUI reduction and legal options if you take a breathalyzer. Considering a Gilbert Criminal Lawyer should be a high priority.

Understanding DUI Laws

First and foremost, if your teen is facing DUI charges, you should familiarize yourself with the laws in your state.

In most states, a driver of any age can be charged with what’s referred to as a standard DUI. A standard DUI occurs when someone has a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08% or more. When someone gets a first-offense standard DUI most states to consider it a misdemeanor.

As was touched on, if a driver is under the age of 21 they are subject to what are broadly called zero-tolerance laws. In some states, even any measurable alcohol in their system at all can lead to a DUI charge, while other states might set the limit at 0.01% to 0.03%. Sometimes a zero-tolerance violation is an administrative offense, but in other states, it’s a misdemeanor crime in and of itself.

It’s very possible that a teen driver will face stiffer penalties for a DUI than an of-age driver. It’s important as a parent that you prepare yourself, and also that you prepare your child.

What Are the Penalties?

The penalties for a teen DUI vary by state, but across the board, it’s going to include a suspension of the teen’s license. Beyond that, it could lead to required participation in a substance abuse treatment program, community service, or having to install an ignition interlock device. Some of the more stringent penalties can include fines up to a few thousand dollars or up to a year in jail.

Know the Consequences Outside of the Law

When a teen (or anyone) is convicted of a DUI, it can have a lifelong effect on them. Along with preparation for the legal consequences, as a parent, you have to really prepare your teen for other possible consequences.

For example, it can impact their college applications. Colleges can also ask about criminal history as part of the application process, and it’s very possible they will turn your child down for a DUI conviction.

Along with college acceptance, financial aid and scholarships can be affected by a DUI conviction. Many applications for scholarships and various forms of financial aid will ask about criminal history. If your teen is currently in college and gets a DUI, they may be in violation of the honor code.

Once a teen completes school or is in the market for employment, a DUI conviction can show up on background checks a potential employer might do, although most employers won’t turn someone down for a position because of a DUI.

Legal Help

If your teen is charged with a DUI, you should get legal help as soon as possible. There are options available that are more likely to occur if you have an experienced DUI lawyer working with you and your teen.

For example, your teen might do a drunk-driving education class or some sort of substance abuse or alcohol education program as a way to show they are taking positive, proactive steps.

Sometimes a lawyer can work with a prosecutor on a plea bargain as well, particularly if there are problems with the evidence being presented. Plea bargains can lead to reduced charges or penalties for a guilty plea. There are problems with evidence in DUI cases more often than you might think, but you would need a lawyer to get the information and make a motion for evidence to be excluded.

If your teen is convicted of a DUI but doesn’t have to do jail time, he or she may be eligible to apply for expungement as well. With an expungement, the DUI could be sealed from public record so it wouldn’t have a detrimental impact on the rest of your teen’s life.

Before doing anything else, contact an experienced local DUI lawyer and ensure your teen understands the potential ramifications of their actions.