The state of Arizona views driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol as a very serious offense. If you are found driving with a blood alcohol content of 0.08 percent or higher, you can be charged with a DUI. However, the rules are even stricter if you are driving under the influence before being the legal drinking age of 21. Not only have you broken the law on driving under the influence, you have also broken the law of not being permitted to purchase or consume alcohol before turning 21 years old.
How is an Under-21 DUI different from other DUI offenses?
Being charged with a driving under the influence offense when you are under the age of 21 is different from other DUI charges. This is because of Arizona’s Zero Tolerance Policy. The Zero Tolerance Policy states that if a person who is under the legal drinking age of 21 has any alcohol in their system, they can be charged with a DUI. This is true even if a chemical breath test shows that you have a BAC of 0.01 percent or greater.
What are the consequences of an Under-21 DUI?
If you are convicted of driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol under the age of 21, the consequences are serious. For a first-offense Underage DUI, the penalties include the following:
- Fines and fees up to $500
- A loss of driving privileges for up to two years
- Court ordered community service
- Alcohol screening, treatment, and education
If you have been convicted of a second or subsequent charge, you may also face 30 days in jail, up to $500 in fees, court-ordered substance abuse screening, and community service.
In the event that your blood alcohol content was 0.15 percent or higher at the time of your stop, you can face an extreme underage drinking and driving charge.
If you have been charged with an underage DUI, it is critical that you retain the services of an experienced DUI defense attorney who can explore all possibilities for defense. Contact our firm today.
The legal team at Weintraub & Weintraub has years of experience representing clients who have been injured in accidents due to the negligence of others as well as those who are facing charges of driving under the influence. If you need strong legal representation, contact our firm today.