Gwinnett County Teenage DUI
As you probably know, drinking while under the age of 21 in Georgia is a crime. However, you may not know that they can be charged with driving under the influence for possessing a blood alcohol content (BAC) as low as .02%--approximately one drink. If you or a family member has recently been charged with a Gwinnett County teenage DUI, you should immediately contact an experienced defense lawyer to avoid a conviction as well as a criminal record.While the BAC is so low that it is unlikely to impair their driving ability, Georgia is a Zero Tolerance state. Zero tolerance laws make it illegal to drive without any amount of alcohol in a their bloodstream.
If a teenage driver is found with a BAC above the legal limit, but below .08%, the officer may charge him or her with an Under 21 DUI offense. If the driver has a BAC above .08%, he or she may face a standard charge in addition to the Under 21 DUI.
The penalties for this type of charge may include the loss of driving privileges for six months in addition to 20 hours of community service. A teenage driver charged with a standard DUI could face the loss of driving privileges for 12 months. However, an underage driver may be eligible for a license reinstatement after 120 days if a plea was entered on or after the date of his or her 21st birthday.
A Gwinnett County teenage DUI conviction not only results in criminal penalties—it may result in a criminal record that can be accessed by potential employers. Teenagers also already face extremely high insurance premiums; with a drunk-driving offence on their record, these rates may skyrocket through the roof.
Because a conviction can affect your very future, hiring a qualified defense lawyer is extremely important. Your attorney can conduct an independent investigation of your case to determine if there is any evidence that can be used to build a solid defense. Because the BAC is so low, your attorney may review the breathalyzer evidence to see if something as innocuous as gum or mints may have inflated the results.
Attorneys at HTW&W will do everything they can to make sure you or your loved one does not end up with a criminal record. Contact us today—the first case evaluation is on us.
