San Leandro Underage DUI Lawyer

Although it is legal for adults to consume alcohol, it remains illegal for individuals who are under the age of 21 to do so. As a result, underage persons who have both consumed alcohol and are driving while under the influence of alcohol may face harsher penalties that individuals who are over the age of 21. Consulting a San Leandro underage DUI lawyer may be wise if you or a family member is facing these criminal charges.

When you are convicted of DUI, you have a permanent criminal record that may be highly damaging to your future. You may have difficulty finding employment, gaining admission to college, or even finding a place to live. Therefore, you may wish to contact a criminal defense lawyer if law enforcement officers accuse you of underage DUI.

Underage DUI Charges in San Leandro

State law presumes that individuals who are under the age of 21 are driving while under the influence of alcohol if their blood alcohol concentration (BAC) measures .08 percent or more. For individuals under the age of 21, however, the law is one of zero tolerance. Therefore, underage individuals may face DUI charges even if their BAC is well below .08 percent.

Under California Vehicle Code § 23136, individuals who are under 21 may not drive if they have a BAC of .01 percent or higher. A violation of this vehicle code section, however, will not result in DUI charges. Individuals will only face a civil penalty in the form of a one-year license suspension through the Department of Motor Vehicles or DMV, and will not end up with a DUI conviction on their records.

If, however, individuals are caught driving with a BAC of .05 percent or higher, they will face DUI charges. These charges are an infraction and thus not as severe as DUI charges for an adult, but they can nonetheless result in a license suspension, fines, and mandatory completion of a DUI education course. As an underage DUI lawyer in San Leandro may advise, multiple convictions under this section can result in harsher consequences, as well.

Underage DUI with a BAC of .08 Percent or More

If individuals who are under the age of 21 drive with a BAC of .08 percent or more, they are subject to the same DUI charges as an adult would face under Cal. Vehicle Code § 23152. They will also face a violation of the state zero-tolerance law. Underage violators can face the same penalties as individuals who are over the age of 21 and are facing DUI charges, including substantial fines, three to five years of probation, incarceration, mandatory DUI education courses, license suspension, and more.

Underage DUI is a criminal misdemeanor that will create a permanent criminal record that will appear on background checks by prospective employers, landlords, and educational institutions. Losing driving privileges can have a significant impact on future opportunities, as well. For those who do not have a valid license, they may face a delay in the ability to get a license for at least one year. The inability to drive can cause hardship, particularly for individuals who are attempting to work and support themselves. Whenever individuals are facing any DUI-related charges, consulting an underage DUI attorney in San Leandro is likely to be highly beneficial.

Work with a San Leandro Underage DUI Attorney

If you have been arrested and accused of underage DUI, you must act immediately to protect your rights and safeguard your driving privileges. As these cases can move rapidly through the criminal justice system, getting legal advice right away can be crucial to your defense. Working with a San Leandro underage DUI lawyer may be the most effective way to defend yourself against these charges.

A tarnished criminal record can cause severe damage to your future. Protect yourself and your future opportunities by enlisting the help of legal counsel today and learn what defenses might be available in your case. In doing so, you may be able to reduce the charges or penalties that you are facing and avoid the unwanted repercussions of an underage DUI conviction.