Convictions for underage drinking and driving can have significant and lifelong repercussions. They often come with harsh fines and other penalties. If you or someone you love has been charged with an underage DUI offense, a New Jersey underage DUI lawyer may be able to help.
A skilled DUI attorney can help protect all your legal rights while your case is pending. The lawyer may also be able to help you obtain a dismissal, charge reduction, and/or a reduced penalty upon conviction (including reducing the charge to a juvenile offense).
Defining the Burden of Proof
In a New Jersey DUI case, the prosecution has the burden of proving a defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt or beyond a doubt based upon ordinary reason and common sense. The defendant may be able to introduce full or partial defenses to the charge or charges.
It is illegal for a person who is under the age of 21 to operate a vehicle with any amount of alcohol in their system or with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .01% or higher. When faced with this offense, it is important to speak with a New Jersey underage DUI lawyer who can help mitigate a potential clients charges.
Potential Conviction Penalties
If a minor is found to have a BAC of between .01% and .079%, the minor may be subject to the following penalties:
- Driver’s license suspension of 30-90 days
- A 30 to 90 day delay in processing a driver’s license, if the driver is unlicensed and under the age of 17
- 15-30 days of required community service
- Required participation in an alcohol and/or highway safety education program
- High fines
If the individual is found to have a BAC of .08%, these penalties may increase significantly and they should speak with a New Jersey underage DUI lawyer immediately.
Impact of a Drunk Driving Charge
When a person is convicted of a DUI, that conviction remains on their criminal record for many years to come. Prospective employers and educational institutions routinely perform criminal background checks on job and school applicants.
If a prospective employee or student has a DUI conviction or other crime on their record, that could significantly hurt their chances of being hired or gaining admission to an educational institution of choice. In the case of college students, a conviction could also result in the loss of scholarships or other types of financial aid.
Hiring an Attorney
Underage charges and convictions can have potential lifelong consequences. As such, they should not be taken lightly. If you or someone you love is pending trial for an underage DUI charge, time may be of the essence.
A New Jersey underage DUI lawyer can meet with you to discuss your charges. An attorney can help you formulate legal defenses to your charge, and can potentially help minimize the effect the charge and conviction will have on your life.