Underage DWI in Texas

Texas has a zero tolerance policy for minors driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs that impair driving. That means that if your child had one beer and then got behind the wheel, they would be committing the crime of underage DWI.

Why Zero Tolerance?

Comprehensive studies on the minimum drinking age found that laws which prohibit alcohol consumption before the age of 21 have greatly reduced the incidences of alcohol related fatal-car accidents. According to MAAD (Mothers against Drunk Driving) more than 25,000 lives have been saved in the U.S. thanks to the 21 minimum legal drinking age. This law estimates to have reduced crashes by 16%.

Often times, people assert that the legal drinking age should be 18 years old without knowing all the facts. Research shows that young people react differently to alcohol than adults. Teens often succumb to peer pressure, they get drunk twice as fast as adults and are much more likely to binge drink and "blackout" than adults are. In 1984, the U.S. Congress passed legislation setting the minimum legal drinking age of 21 in all 50 states. By 1988 every state passed laws making it against the law for anyone under 21 to purchase alcohol. As a result, by 1995 the number of alcohol related deaths for young adults age 15 and older had dropped by 47%.

DWI Consequences

The laws for an individual under 21 years of age are much tougher than the laws for adults. Texas law states that any minor who has "any detectable amount of alcohol in his/her system" while operating a motor vehicle is driving under the influence. Below are the consequences a minor faces when found guilty of driving while intoxicated for any measurable amount of alcohol:

• Sixty day driver's license suspension
• Up to $500 fine
• 20 - 40 hours of community service
• Mandatory attendance in alcohol-awareness classes

If the minor is found to have a BAC of 0.08% or higher then they face the same DWI penalties as that of an adult over the age of 21 in addition to a conviction of underage driving while intoxicated.

Protection for your Child

Most parents desire to protect their children. If your child has been charged with underage driving while intoxicated in the Houston area, it would be in your child's best interests for you to contact a DWI attorney at The Martinez Law Firm. We have experience in dealing with underage DWI cases in the state of Texas. We are informed in the laws pertaining to underage DWI's and the procedures in such cases. We understand the weight and significance that a DWI conviction can bear on your child's future and we can help!

Contact a Houston Underage DWI Attorneyat our office today for a free consultation.