If you are under 21 and have been arrested for DUI, you are facing problems far greater than dealing with angry parents. The fact of the matter is, Pennsylvania law prohibits anyone under the age of 21 from any type of alcohol involvement, including:
- Possession of alcohol
- Consumption of alcohol;
- Transportation of alcohol;
- Deception about one’s age in order to attempt to purchase alcohol;
- Carrying a false identification card in order to purchase alcohol.
If you find yourself facing a law enforcement officer under any of these circumstances, the best thing you can do is telephone our underage Allentown underage DUI attorneys here at van der Veen, Hartshorn, Levin & Lindheim. Our experienced legal team is dedicated to providing a thorough, aggressive defense for our youngest clients.
Zero Tolerance for Underage Drinking
Although drivers over the age of 21 face DUI charges when their blood alcohol content level (BAC) reaches .08 or higher, any amount of alcohol in a younger individual can result in serious legal peril. That means having just one drink can get you into trouble. And unlike older drinkers, you needn’t be behind the wheel to be cited.
At a minimum, those convicted of having a BAC of .02 must pay a $500 fine plus court costs, and will have their driver’s license suspended for at least 90 days. That is just for the first offense. For second offenses the license suspension is for a full year, and any additional offenses result in a two-year suspension. At any stage, prosecutors could push for up to six months in jail and as much as $1,000 in fines. Consider, too, the possibility of being ordered into a treatment program, alcohol safety classes, and/or of having an ignition interlock system. The potential for long-term impacts on your life can only be mitigated with an experienced, aggressive attorney on your side.
An Option Worth Fighting For
With forceful legal representation, it may be possible to enroll a first time offender in what is called the Adjudication Alternative Program. To become enrolled, a defendant need not plead guilty. Instead of the usual legal penalties, the offender is required to engage in community service, counseling, education, job training, and/or other self-improvement program while undergoing supervision. Although enrollment in this program will require time, effort, and even the costs of administrative fees, it will eliminate the possibility of fines and imprisonment for young offenders.
Get the Defense you deserve when facing Underage DUI Charges
If you have been charged with DUI and are younger than age 21, the future may seem bleak. But when you have aggressive, tenacious legal representation, the outlook is much better. The legal team here at van der Veen, Hartshorn, Levin & Lindheim takes pride in our dedication to securing the best possible outcomes for our clients. To schedule your free, confidential consultation, contact our Allentown office any time of the day or night.
