Under 21 with a DUI: The Serious Consequences

California has among the strictest underage drinking laws, including a zero tolerance for

underage drinking in combination with driving. This means that even one drink can land you in

serious trouble with the law. Any blood alcohol count, regardless of its level, is considered

against the law for those under 21. The consequences vary for each situation, but the need for an

OC DUI lawyer is a common denominator in every case.

The Meaning of Zero Tolerance

Zero tolerance means that any amount of alcohol in your system could get you in trouble. Even if

you only consumed a few sips of an alcoholic drink, if you get behind the wheel, you are

violating the law. This includes taking cough medicine with alcohol content. You will face two

choices when it comes to determining your punishment for driving under the influence:

Submitting to a blood alcohol content test

Refusing the chemical test

The consequences for each scenario are different. If you submit yourself to the test and the

results show a blood alcohol content over 0.01%, you could face a suspension of your license for

one year or have a delay in the ability to receive your license, should you not have one yet. If you

refuse the chemical test, you could face a suspension of your license for one to three years,

depending on your past regarding underage drinking and driving. Typically, if it is your first

offense, your license will be suspended for one year; if it is your second offense in 10 years, it is

suspended for two years; and, if it is your third offence, it is suspended for three years.

Other Possible Offenses

If you are under 21, it is also illegal for you to drive with alcohol in your car unless the following

criteria are met:

The alcohol container is sealed and full

You have a parent in the car with you

You are transporting liquor for your employer that has an off-site liquor license

If you are caught driving with alcohol in the car without a parent or without consent from your

employer, you could face serious consequences including:

Losing your vehicle for up to 30 days

Fines amounting up to $1,000

The loss of your license for up to 1 year

Getting Your License Back

Sometimes it is possible to convert your suspended license into a restricted license, allowing you

to drive to necessary places, such as work or school. If you are underage, however, it is very

difficult to get the decision overturned. The zero tolerance law in California is adhered to rather

strictly, making it very difficult for anyone under 21 to get their rights back. In addition, those

who are under 18, and who are caught drinking and driving, could find it nearly impossible to

have the decision reversed. The critical need to drive is very restricted. Not every request is

honored, and no requests that have a prior DUI are considered. The best way to increase your

eligibility to overturn your suspension to a restriction is through the help of an OC DUI attorney.

Drinking and driving under the influence is prohibited in California, and those who disobey the

law will be prosecuted. Because of the zero tolerance law, it can be very difficult to have any

decision overturned, even in the most dire circumstances. If you have a DUI and are underage,

your best chance at a positive outcome is to obtain the help of an experienced DUI attorney. For

more information about the California law regarding underage drinking, please visit The Law

Offices of Barry T. Simmons.

Summary

Underage drinking and driving is a serious offense in California. If you have a DUI and are not

yet 21, the consequences can be overwhelming. Do not fight your battles alone. Getting a

qualified OC DUI lawyer can help with your defense, in the long run.

Company Bio

The lawyers at the Law Offices of Barry T. Simmons are experts in the DUI field. Their full

focus is on DUI and how they can help their clients with their defense. They have extensive

experience, not only with the California courts, but also the DMV, to provide their clients with

the best defense possible for their case. Barry T. Simmons has been in the business for the last 40

years, providing quality defense for many different types of clients.

Source:

"Driving Under the Influence." Driving Under the Influence. n.p. n.d. Web. 15 May 2014.