It is illegal in California for a person under the age of 21 to drink or purchase alcohol. Zero Tolerance Laws have also been enacted to deter minors from driving after drinking alcohol. These laws can be much harsher than the laws for adults. A minor’s blood alcohol content (BAC) only needs to measure above .01 percent to result in DUI charges.
Individuals can hit this fairly quickly—drinking just a glass of wine or a can of beer could pass that mark, possibly reaching a BAC reading of .05 percent. If you were charged with this offense, call the Los Angeles and Orange County underage DUI lawyers at Gibbons & Gibbons right away.
Schedule your free consultation today by calling (562) 802-3602 or contacting us online. More than 60 combined years of experience fighting for you.
In addition to DUI, there may be other charges related to the underage drinking, such as child endangerment law violations for enabling alcohol consumption for other minors.
Penalties for the first offense of an underage DUI include:
If a driver under the age of 18 is convicted of a DUI, their license could be suspended for 1 year or until their 18th birthday. A first DUI offense is typically considered a misdemeanor, meaning the driver could face further penalties from their school or even future job prospects, depending on their career path. Make sure you have an experienced Los Angeles criminal defense lawyer on your side.
Without a dedicated and capable legal team by your side, fighting underage DUI charges can become an overwhelming experience. Don’t put your or your child’s future at stake! Our Southern California DUI defense attorneys have represented close to 3,000 clients and can use aggressive strategies that are formed specifically to help you achieve the most favorable outcome for your case.
Contact Gibbons & Gibbons today for your free case evaluation by calling (562) 802-3602.