California Cracking Down On Underage DUI

California has recently taken a more hardline stand on underage DUI offenses, and a conviction for this

offense can now have serious, life-changing consequences for people under 21 caught driving under the

influence. Young drivers need to be aware of the legal limit in California, the harsh penalties they could

face, and how a California DUI defense attorney can help if they’re facing charges.

In California, teen drivers are considered to be driving under the influence if their blood alcohol content

is more than .01 percent. For adults, the legal limit is .08. It’s not hard to get your BAC up above .01. In

fact, just one beer or one glass of wine can get you there, as can just a little more than one ounce of

liquor.

If you’re caught driving with a BAC over .01, you’ll be arrested and charged with underage DUI.

Underage drivers who are stopped for driving under the influence can get an additional DUI charge if

their BAC is above .05.

The penalties for an underage DUI conviction can be steep. Young drivers could face a mandatory one-

year driver’s license suspension. You can also face thousands of dollars of fines and possible jail time.

The penalties are even harsher if someone is injured as a result of an underage DUI or for second

offenders.

In addition to these consequences, there are also other non-legal negative impacts related to a DUI.

College and career prospects may be harmed, insurance premiums will rise, and underage drivers or

their families may have to pay legal fees for a California DUI attorney.

Young drivers stopped for DUI should remain calm and be respectful when addressed by police officers.

They should avoid becoming aggressive or resisting arrest. They should refrain from commenting on the

situation or offering an explanation to police. Once they’re booked into jail, they should get into contact

with a lawyer as soon as possible.

A DUI defense attorney can help young drivers facing a DUI. They can review the police report and tape

of the arrest to ensure it was conducted properly. They can challenge evidence presented by police in

court. They can also help mitigate consequences by advocating for leniency for their clients.

When hiring a California DUI attorney, like Barry T. Simons of Orange County, check the lawyer’s

credentials, and his or her experience in dealing with DUI cases to ensure you’re getting the best choice.

With the help of a qualified attorney, young drivers facing a DUI charge don’t have to endure serious

disruptions of their education or career, and harsh legal and financial consequences.

About The Law Office of Barry T. Simons

Barry T. Simons specializes in DUI defense. Our skilled attorneys have vast experiencing in fighting both

the prosecution and DMV and are often successful in protecting our clients’ driving privileges as well as

their freedom. Our founder, Barry T. Simons, has nearly 40 years of experience in cases related to

driving under the influence and is one of California’s most respected DUI attorneys.

Summary: California has harsh consequences for driving under the influence if you’re underage. A DUI

attorney can help young drivers avoid unfairly punitive penalties.