If a driver under the age of 21 operates a motor vehicle after drinking alcohol, they are taking a huge risk. All it takes is a blood alcohol content (BAC) of .02 or higher to be charged with a crime called “minor DUI.” Young people can also be charged with this crime if they have any amount of THC in their bloodstream, which is the active compound in marijuana.
At first glance, a minor DUI doesn't seem like such a big deal. It is merely a misdemeanor charge with penalties that include mandatory 90 day driver's license suspension, up to 90 days in jail, and up to $1,000 in fines. Discretionary penalties include the possibility of community service, alcohol dependence counseling, and being ordered by the court to install an ignition interlock device on the driver's automobile.
However, what makes this crime potentially devastating for a young person is that a conviction means acquiring a criminal record. For young people just getting started in life, this can be highly problematic. Landlords, college admissions officers, and employers routinely conduct background checks on every applicant. The purpose of these background checks is to ensure they approve only the most reliable people they can find. When they conduct a background check on a applicant with a criminal record, how do you think they'll respond?
The Bremerton minor DUI lawyers at our law office have seen firsthand how a conviction for this crime can damage a young person's future. Sometimes young people who were convicted of minor DUI realize the negative effect it's having on their life, so they contact us to find out if there's any way to purge the blemish from their record. Unfortunately, once a verdict is rendered it's nearly impossible to repair the damage. This is why it's so important that you contact a qualified Bremerton minor DUI attorney immediately after being arrested for this crime.
Other Damaging Effects of a Minor DUIThe penalties mentioned above are meant to prevent a young person from making greater mistakes in the future, but it hardly seems fair that drinking one beer can cause them so much future heartache. We were all young at one time, and it's easy to understand how someone with little life experience can make a simple mistake. Our Bremerton minor DUI lawyers aggressively defend the legal rights of young clients because the intent of the law should be to help people, not hurt them.
A criminal conviction at a young age is like a weight tied around the neck, constantly dragging the person down every time they try to get ahead. Obtaining a criminal record at a young age could affect your child's ability to:
Do you think it's fair that one mistake could lead to all of these repercussions? Neither do we.
Protecting the Interests of your Child Starts with a Free ConsultationOur team of professional litigators always seek the best possible in every case, but we treat minor DUI cases with special urgency. The stakes couldn't be higher, so every Bremerton minor DUI lawyer in our law office will aggressively defend their interests from start to finish.
You can contact us today and take advantage of our free consultation offer. We will educate you about the law and then work with you to develop a defense strategy with a positive resolution as our goal. Minor DUI cases are heard in the Kitsap County District Court, which is located in Port Orchard, or the Bremerton Municipal Court.
The Department of Licensing will determine whether your driver's license will be suspended, so it's important to be ready for this meeting. If you or your child was charged with an adult DUI (BAC more than .08), then the situation is even more urgent. Contact us today for your free consultation and make sure your legal rights are protected by a legal team with more than 50 years of collective experience.