Montgomery County Underage DUI Charges
Getting arrest for a DUI is always serious, particularly if you are under the legal drinking age of 21. For those who are underage, the threshold for a DUI conviction is much lower, meaning it is much more likely they will face penalties for driving under the influence. Additionally, a conviction for an under-21 can lead to long-lasting negative impact on a person’s life, affecting future work and educational opportunities. Speak with a Montgomery County DUI lawyer as soon as possible to begin building your case.
Laws Regarding Under-21 DUIs in Montgomery County
In Montgomery County, those under-21 are charged exactly the same as somebody who is over 21. The only real difference is that people who are under-21 have a restriction on their driver’s license that says that they cannot consume any alcohol prior to operating a motor vehicle and they must consent to a breathalyzer test. If somebody is under-21 and they blow a .02, they can still be charged with violating the license restriction, even if they are not charged with a DUI.
Blood Alcohol Content Levels
The laws are exactly the same. When you are charged with standard DUI offenses, it will either be a DUI or a DWI. Individuals under the age of 21 can also be charged with violating a license restriction, because of the restriction on their driver’s license emphasizing that they cannot consume alcohol. There is not going to be much of a difference in terms of the criminal charges. The place where they will really see the difference is through the Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA).
The MVA is stricter with individuals who have restrictions on their licenses. They will not modify a suspension of an individual who has a restricted license or a provisional license unless the individual takes part in the Ignition Interlock Program. What that means in layman terms is if you are over the age of 21 and blow a .08 to .14, you can get a work permit. If you are under the age of 21 and blow a .08 to .14, you cannot get a work permit, unless you participate in ignition interlock.
What to Expect About Under-21 DUIs in Montgomery County
Those charged with a DUI while under the age of 21 can expect to have their case progress in the exact same way as someone who is over the age of 21. The defendant will go to the same district court that individuals who are over-21 will go to and will go to the same type of hearing that an individual who is over-21 will. There will be some differences as to the potential penalties but the process will be exactly the same irrespective of whether an individual is under or over 21.
Potential Repercussions of Under-21 DUI Conviction
Conviction for a DUI for an individual who is under-21 can have a significant impact on their future. It can limit their ability to find employment that involves driving. It is something that they will have to explain in any kind of college, graduate school, or job application and it can create some hurdles that would not otherwise be present if an individual did not have a DUI charge.
What Parents Should Expect About These Cases
They should be aware, again, that there are going to be a lot of things that are involved in these cases. For parents, one of the most important things they can do immediately following their child’s under-21 DUI arrest or charge is to contact an attorney. An underage DUI lawyer in Montgomery County can explain how the process works in their individual case much better than any kind of general rule or article can. There is really no substitute to speaking with someone who has experience with these types of cases and can provide realistic, up-to-date answers to all your questions.