Colonial Heights Underage DUI Lawyer

Driving under the influence is a serious criminal offense. The severity of the offense stays the same, regardless of the age of the driver. If a teen is caught driving while impaired, they are subject to the same consequences that someone over the age of 21 would face. That is why, if your child has been charged with a DUI offense, it is important to seek the services of a Colonial Heights underage DUI lawyer. A capable DUI attorney could devote the time and resources necessary to protect your child’s future.

What Happens to a License

Following an underage DUI conviction, a person’s driver’s license is going to be suspended for one year. They may attend an alcohol safety class usually through VASAP in order to help get their license and their privilege to drive back, and the court would then have the discretion of determining if they are going to be given a restricted driver’s license.

An individual and their Colonial Heights underage DUI lawyer will have to petition the court for a restricted license. The court is going to require them to go to ASAP. The court is going to require them to get an ignition interlock in the car. The court is going to tell them where they can go and when they can go there. Normally, they can go to school, work, home, and that is pretty much it.

Consequences of a DUI Conviction

Even if the person charged with a DUI is under 21, the DUI is still a Class 1 misdemeanor and still carries a maximum penalty of 12 months in jail and a fine of $2,500. However, those are referred to as what is called in Virginia as baby DUIs. Why that is important is a baby DUI will not count towards a previous DUI as far as raising the stakes on a DUI second or DUI third offense. However, the threshold is lower for a baby DUI than an adult DUI. The blood alcohol threshold on a DUI is 0.08. The blood alcohol on a Baby DUI is 0.02. The Commonwealth has to prove this, but the consequences are not going to be as high.

With an underage DUI, there is no mandatory minimum jail time, which is good. It also means that if someone does end up going to jail, it is because there were aggravating factors in their case, which could mean jail time. Generally speaking, on an underage DUI, they are not going to have to go to jail on a first offense.

Value of a Colonial Heights Underage DUI Attorney

A Colonial Heights underage DUI lawyer could be an invaluable asset during this time. The long-term effects of an underage DUI offense would be that the person has a DUI on their record. The individual might also lose their license. Most young people’s biggest thing is the freedom of driving or operating a motor vehicle. Once that is taken away, it can be difficult to adjust. A determined underage DUI attorney in Colonial Heights could fight tirelessly in an individual’s defense and pursue a positive outcome for them.