Underage DUI’s in California
By Gold & Witham
Jan. 21, 2011 3:55p
The state of California is harsh on underage drunk driving laws. Under California's "Zero Tolerance Law" individuals who are found to have a Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) of 0.01% or greater will be charged with a DUI. This means that having one alcoholic drink such as one beer, one 4-ounce glass of wine or one shot will send you over the legal limit.
If the underage driver is under 18 and they are convicted of DUI, they will automatically lose their drivers license for 1 year or, until they turn eighteen, whichever is longer. In addition, underage drivers convicted of DUI, will be forced to pay thousands of dollars in fines, attend driver's safety/alcohol abuse classes and community service. They may also have their vehicle confiscated by the Judge hearing the case. When people under the age of 21 are operating a motor vehicle it is against the law to:
- Have any beer, wine or liquor in their vehicle while they are driving alone.
- Have a BAC of 0.01% or greater.
- Drive after consuming alcohol in any form, including cough syrup.
Underage DUI Penalties
If you are convicted of an underage DUI in California with a BAC of .01% or greater you could face a driver's license suspension for 1 year. If your BAC was .05% or greater you may have to take a mandatory alcohol education or rehabilitation program and have your driver's license suspended for 1 year.
If an underage driver has a BAC of .08% or greater, they are facing the same criminal penalties as adults which include driver's license suspension, heavy fines, imprisonment, community service, probation and more. In addition to criminal penalties, drivers under the age of 21 who are convicted of DUI's are required to list their offenses on college applications. Failure to do so may result in an immediate dismissal.
Not only can the person's educational pursuits be affected by a DUI conviction, but their future employment as well, since job applications request any information regarding criminal convictions in the past. If you or your son or daughter has been arrested for a DUI in Los Angeles or the surrounding areas, it's crucial that you seek the legal advice of a skilled Los Angeles DUI attorney at Gold & Witham right away.
Contact a Los Angeles DUI Lawyer from our firm today for a free consultation.
Other Recent Articles
After the victim in a hit-and-run collision lost his life, police say they identified the primary suspect as a substance abuse counselor from Torrance.
More Articles »
Recent reports released by local Los Angeles police departments indicate that the figures for DUI-related arrests over the first part of the holidays has gone down from last year.
More Articles »
J.W., 30 years old, was arrested on charges of driving while intoxicated. The man is a legislative deputy working for the Los Angeles City Council.
More Articles »