Brunswick County Underage DUI Lawyer
Due to the fact that individuals under 21 are prohibited from possessing alcohol, they face steep penalties for the consumption of alcohol. The legal limit for a driver under 21 is a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.02, which means the consumption of any alcohol. When a driver is pulled over for the suspicion of driving under the influence and there is evidence that alcohol or drugs were consumed, it is likely that the driver will be arrested and charged with a DUI.
If you are under the age of 21 and are facing DUI charges, you should seek the services of a Brunswick County underage DUI lawyer right away. Let an experienced DUI attorney fight for you and stand by your side throughout the legal process.
Determining Impairment of an Underage Driver
Anyone with a BAC of 0.02 who is under the age of 21 is in violation of the law in Brunswick County. The same factors are used to determine impairment in an underage driver as an adult driver. To determine impairment, the officer may use a breath or blood test. However, many of the field sobriety tests and other methods to test alcohol are geared towards higher levels of impairment than 0.08. It is important to know that when there is evidence of consumption of alcohol, that is used as evidence of impairment in an underage DUI case.
What to Expect From an Underage DUI Case
DUIs are extremely serious and carry severe consequences. An individual who is underage faces even more serious consequences on their driver’s license than an adult. It could also affect their schooling and college education. A defendant could be facing jail time, expensive fines, probation, and driver’s license suspension. It is imperative to consult with an underage DUI lawyer in Brunswick County as soon as possible to review the potential consequences one might face.
Because the blood alcohol limit is lower, an underage DUI charge can be much more difficult to defend. However, underage drivers are offered some additional leniency in the courts due to their immaturity and shorter history of good decision-making. How it affects the case depends on the specific facts of the case.
Anyone under 21 is considered to be an underage DUI. Cases for individuals who are 18 to 21 are heard in the general district court. Underage DUIs for those who are under 18 are heard in the juvenile and domestic relations district court.
Prosecutors Treat Underage DUI Cases
Prosecutors and judges want to get through to the underage defendant to ensure that they learn their lesson and will not take the risk of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs in the future. That being said, there may be opportunities for leniency due to an underage DUI defendant’s immaturity.
There are many potentially serious consequences for underage DUIs. An individual can expect to face consequences that are as severe as the consequences adults face.
Call a Brunswick County Underage DUI Attorney Today
An accomplished Brunswick County underage DUI lawyer is familiar with what the prosecution must prove. They know the successful defenses and are prepared to assert them on the defendant’s behalf to successfully litigate them at trial. Specifically, an attorney who is familiar with local prosecutors, courthouse personnel, and law enforcement is more likely to get the defendant the fair result they deserve. Call today and set up a consultation with a well-versed legal professional.
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