St. Louis Park Underage DUI Lawyer

Like every state in the country, Minnesota imposes strict restrictions on drunk driving while under the age of 21. However, Minnesota’s laws are particularly stringent, not just in terms of how the offense is defined but also the potential sanctions.

If you or your child are facing this kind of allegation, you will want to get a skilled DUI defense attorney on your side sooner rather than later. Fortunately, you have help available from a St. Louis Park underage DUI lawyer with extensive experience handling this unique type of case in proactive ways. Call our law office today to schedule your initial consultation.

What Counts as Drunk Driving for Someone Under 21?

In most states, the legal BAC limit for drivers under the age of 21 is 0.02 percent, which is substantially less than the 0.08 percent limit applicable to adult drivers. However, under Minnesota’s “Not-a-Drop” law, police officers have zero tolerance for alcohol consumption by minors who then get behind the wheel of a motor vehicle. This means that even a trace of alcohol in the system of a minor driver can lead to a DUI charge.

Police can pull a teen driver over, compel them to submit to a BAC test with Minnesota’s “implied consent” rules for licensed drivers, and arrest them for DUI if they find any trace of alcohol in their body or evidence of impairment based on personal observations or field sobriety testing.

Underage motorists accused of drunk driving in St. Louis Park need representation from a seasoned attorney when contesting the allegation made against them.

Possible Penalties for Underage DUI and DWI

If an underage driver arrested for drunk driving under the “Not-a-Drop” law is less than 18 years old at the time of their arrest, their case will be handled in juvenile court as a significant traffic offense rather than in adult criminal court as a criminal offense.

However, underage drivers between the ages of 18 and 21 who are convicted of underage DUI are subject to maximum penalties of 90 days in jail and a $1,000 fine. In addition, both types of offenders face a 30-day license suspension for a first offense and a 180-day suspension for a second offense.

Additionally, an underage driver who is found to be “driving while impaired”—meaning they have a BAC of 0.08 percent or more—can be prosecuted as an adult for a standard “DWI” offense.

As an underage DUI defense lawyer in St. Louis Park could further explain, this could potentially lead to prosecution for a felony offense depending on certain factors.

Get in Touch With a St. Louis Park Underage DUI Attorney for Help

Teenagers in Minnesota can obtain learner’s permits more than five years before they are allowed to consume alcohol legally. For that entire period, until they turn 21, they will be subject to zero-tolerance drunk driving laws.

As a result, underage drivers who are arrested for DUI or DWI often find themselves facing much more severe penalties than they expect, especially if they have been arrested for the same type of offense in the past.

In a situation like this, representation from a knowledgeable St. Louis Park underage DUI lawyer could make a world of difference in how your criminal case proceeds and its resolution. Call our law office today to discuss your options with an experienced legal professional.