Underage DUI Charges

Has your child been caught drinking and driving?

South Carolina takes a tough stance against underage drinking and driving, with harsh zero tolerance laws to prevent this behavior. Why is this? It is because our state has a serious problem with underage drinking. In fact, the advocacy group Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) reports that South Carolina is ranked 51st in the nation for the number of alcohol-related traffic deaths. Nearly half - 44% - of all fatal car accidents are DUI related. MADD also reports that 22.3% of people between the ages of 12 and 20 use alcohol, while 13.3% engage in binge drinking. If your child has been caught drinking and driving, he or she is directly in the crosshairs of the state's aggressive campaign to put an end underage DUI.

What are the penalties for an underage DUI?

Under normal circumstances in Lexington or anywhere else in South Carolina, a driver can have a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) as high as 0.08 percent before he or she can be convicted of driving under the influence. The same is not true for drivers under the age of 21 years old. Underage drivers can be punished for having a BAC as low as 0.02%, which for many people can occur after having even one drink. This can lead to a suspension of driving privileges, as well as possible negative consequences at school or work. In the event that your child was arrested with a BAC over 0.08%, he or she can be subjected to full criminal penalties including fines, time in jail and a criminal record.

It would be difficult to exaggerate the importance of defending your child against charges of drinking and driving. Not only could he or she be subjected to a driver's license suspension, but you can also expect to see the rates for car insurance go up dramatically. Ending up with a criminal record could have a devastating effect on your child's future, with the possibility of lost academic and professional opportunities. Unlike many juvenile offenses, there is no possibility of pretrial intervention for a DUI case. You need an attorney who is ready to fight for a favorable outcome to the case.