DeKalb County Underage DUI Lawyer
Underage drinking and driving is an important issue that requires attention. Underage DUI charges may apply when a young person operates a vehicle while they are impaired and under the state’s legal drinking age. When individuals who are underage drive while impaired, they pose a major risk to themselves and to anyone else with whom they share the road. Georgia has enacted a zero tolerance policy towards underage drinking in an effort to minimize these risks and enforce harsh penalties when people violate the law.
For DUI lawyers, defending an underage client often presents a unique challenge. That’s because Georgia is a “zero tolerance” state in terms of drivers who are charged with DUI and are below the legal drinking age. Because consuming any amount of alcohol is illegal, driving with any measurable amount is considered a violation of Georgia DUI laws.
Many underage arrests for DUI and related offense are made by a municipal or city police officer. The Dekalb County underage DUI lawyers at The Spizman Firm represent underage defendants charged with DUI and underage possession of alcohol in many municipal courts throughout DeKalb County. For example, DUI attorneys like to point out that even within that “zero-tolerance” policy, there are some exceptions. Georgia DUI law states that the “legal limit” for drivers under the age of 21 is .02 (rather than the .08 limit for over 21 drivers). This is because the breathalyzer testing machines that law enforcement officers use have a .02 margin of error. Additionally, DeKalb County DUI law mandates that two separate breath tests must be administered, and those two results must be within that margin for either or both of them to be admissible in court.
Of course, the best way to get a proper evaluation for your case if you are charged with underage DUI or minor in possession is to visit a DeKalb County DUI lawyer at The Spizman Firm and have them evaluate the circumstances of the arrest and the accompanying test results.
What is Underage DUI in DeKalb County?
In DeKalb County, as throughout the rest of Georgia, underage DUI refers to the unlawful act of operating a motor vehicle when a person is below the legal drinking age and is under the influence of alcohol. As in all states, the legal drinking age in Georgia is 21 years old. State law stipulates that when a motorist is under the age of 21 years old and they are shown to have a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.02 percent higher, they can face underage DUI charges, even if they are not visibly intoxicated.
The Zero Tolerance Policy and Underage DUI in Georgia
Georgia has a strict zero tolerance policy that takes a hard stance against underage drinking and driving. The policy is intended to reduce the number of accidents and fatalities on the roads that involve young drivers. The BAC of 0.02 percent for underage drivers is much lower than the 0.08. percent for other motorists. Unlike adult motorists, the zero tolerance policy also stipulates that underage drivers charged with a DUI are not eligible for limited driving permits. The law is meant to ensure that underage drivers refrain from using any drugs or alcohol while they are behind the wheel.
Underage DUI Laws in Georgia
The Dekalb County underage DUI lawyers at The Spizman Firm practice in courts all over the metro DeKalb County. Our office is located in DeKalb County. As DeKalb County DUI lawyers, we know there are other differences that apply to underage DUI cases, as well. Although many of the penalties for an under 21 driver are the same, the consequences to personal freedom and driver’s license suspension are often more severe. For instance, there is no limited driving permit for a person under the age of 21 who is convicted of a DUI. So, a guilty plea or verdict leads to a hard suspension with no driving privileges at all, even though transportation may be needed to get to school and work, or even to attend to medical emergencies.
Penalties for Underage DUI in Georgia
The penalties for underage DUI in Georgia are harsh. Young drivers will have their driver’s license suspended for a minimum of 30 days and they will also face a fine of at least $300. Depending on the circumstances of a case, individuals may also be sentenced to community service or probation, and they may also have to complete an alcohol treatment program.
In addition to the immediate penalties, charges for an underage DUI can also significantly impact a young person’s future. It can make it harder for a person to obtain gainful employment as well as academic opportunities, such as college admission and scholarships. A conviction for an underage DUI can also impact personal relationships and a youth’s mental well-being.
How a Dekalb County Underage DUI Lawyer Can Help
If you or a loved one are facing an underage DUI charge, it’s critical to have the right DeKalb County DUI attorneys on your side. Georgia’s zero-tolerance DUI laws mean that many underage drivers are arrested even though they are not drunk, or even impaired to the point where operating a motor vehicle is unsafe. Additionally, some prosecutors take a very tough stance on these cases.
The Spizman Firm team of DeKalb County underage DUI attorneys has a strong record in defending these types of clients. Our team of experienced former prosecutors can guide you through the DUI defense process, with the goal of saving your drivers license, keeping you out of jail, and working to keep the arrest off your record. Of course, we not achieve that result for every client in every case, but we believe strongly in setting goals for every case, and working hard to achieve them.
