DWI Attorney in Knoxville (Underage DUI)
Looking for an underage DUI defense attorney? Garza Law is here to help you make this situation a thing of the past once and for all! As you may already know, it is illegal for anyone under the age of 21 to purchase or drink alcohol in the United States. It follows, then, that it is also illegal for minors to drink and drive. The drunk driving laws in Knoxville and East Tennessee for minors are even more stringent than those for adult drivers. Most drivers over the age of 21 are subjected to the 0.08% blood alcohol concentration (BAC) standard, meaning that a driver may be charged with Driving Under the Influence (DUI) or Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) if he or she tests for a BAC of 0.08% or higher. Drivers under the age of 21, however, may be charged with drunk driving for a BAC as low as 0.02%, or essentially one drink or less.
Underage DUI Information
Underage drunk driving is taken very seriously in the United States, and Tennessee is no exception. An underage DUI—called a DWI in Tennessee—means that anyone under the age of 21 caught driving with any amount of alcohol in their system may be charged with a DWI. For even a first offense, the penalties for a juvenile drunk driving conviction can be severe. These include:
- fines;
- community service hours;
- one year driver license suspension
Minors who have been charged with drunk driving and illegal possession or consumption of alcohol will likely face trial, especially if they are over 18 years old. In these cases, it is important for minors to seek an experienced criminal defense attorney to represent them during their trials.
In addition to these court-ordered penalties, the minor will also have his or her driver’s license suspended for one year for a first offense. If you are under the age of 21 or have a child who is underage and who has been arrested for drunk driving, consider consulting with a underage DWI defense attorney as soon as possible to discuss your legal rights and options. If you’d like to learn more or schedule a free consultation with one of our DWI attorneys, please contact us on our website or call 865-540-8300. We provide legal representation to people like you all across East Tennessee. Our office is located in downtown Knoxville, TN.
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