New Jersey Underage DWI Defense Lawyers
Underage DUI
Charges of driving under the influence (DUI) are serious, especially if the accused individual is younger than the legal drinking age. However, a skilled Princeton DUI defense attorney will examine the circumstances of the arrest, and will see to it that a strong defense is built on behalf of the accused. If the charges can be challenged, individuals accused of underage DUI have the right to do so.
In the state of New Jersey, it is illegal to drive with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of more than 0.08%. That is, such a level of BAC is allowed if and only if an individual is of the legal drinking age. However, if an individual is younger than the legal drinking age of 21 years, and that individual has a BAC of more than 0.01%, that individual is subject to, according to the State of New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission:
- A 30–90 day suspension of license
- Mandatory fines and other monetary penalties associated with DUI (which may increase dependant on where the incident occurred, such as in a school zone)
- Mandatory community service lasting a period of 15–30 days
- Enrollment in and successful completion of alcohol education and highway safety programs at a certified Intoxicated Driver Resource Center
- If unlicensed and under 17 years of age at the time of the incident, a 30–90 day delay in processing your driver’s license
An underage individual’s future as a motorist can be put in serious jeopardy if that individual is accused of underage DUI. In all cases though, it must be proven that the individual was either impaired in their ability to drive, or had a blood alcohol concentration greater than 0.01%. Proving such can be difficult, as BAC testing methods are not always accurate and the procedure used to detain a suspected underage DUI motorist is not always followed.
If your child has been charged with underage DUI, they don’t have to face those charges alone. At Lependorf and Silverstein, our experienced NJ underage DUI defense attorneys will provide the accused individual with the best possible defense given the circumstances of their case. For more information, or to begin protecting your rights, please don’t hesitate to contact us today for a free consultation of your underage DUI case. Call 609-240-0040 today.
If you or a loved one has been accused or arrested for underage DWI in New Jersey, contact Lependorf & Silverstein today for a free consultation.