Gwinnett County Underage DUI Lawyer
Drivers under the age of 21 face the strictest DUI laws in the state. Because you are too young to purchase alcohol, you should not have consumed any when driving. Even a small amount of alcohol can result in a DUI conviction, along with a host of penalties and headaches moving forward. Call The Spizman Firm for assistance with your case. It is critical to approach the charges in a calm manner to obtain the best possible result. A Gwinnett County underage DUI lawyer is available to help and can meet for a free consultation.
The Repercussions of an Underage DUI Conviction
Georgia’s Zero Tolerance law will result in a DUI conviction for any driver whose blood alcohol concentration was 0.02 or higher. This threshold is much lower than the limit for adults, which is 0.08—representing the fact that drivers under 21 should not consume alcohol.
The penalties for this misdemeanor offense include:
- Up to one year in jail
- Maximum one-year license suspension
- $1,000 in fines
- Mandatory community service
- Alcohol education classes
These penalties are only the beginning. Now that you have a permanent criminal record, you will need to disclose it whenever you apply to a college or university, seek a job, or try to rent an apartment. Furthermore, a DUI can put certain transportation jobs out of reach.
There is no reason to saddle yourself with a misdemeanor conviction so early in life. Contact The Spizman Firm to discuss the charges against you. We can identify possible defenses and weaknesses in the state’s evidence.
Stages in a DUI Case
The justice system is confusing to many, so it’s helpful to understand the different parts of a DUI case:
- Administrative license suspension. The state of Georgia will suspend your driver’s license simply for getting arrested for DUI. You will need to request a timely hearing to contest the suspension. The most common reasons are that the officer lacked sufficient cause to stop you or did not inform you of your rights. Call our office so we can defend you. We can also try to get a restricted license which should allow you to drive to work.
- Review of the evidence. Most DUI cases hinge on the breathalyzer results, but other evidence includes the arresting officer’s testimony, as well as dashcam footage. We can analyze the evidence to see if it really is strong.
- Plea negotiations. Underage defendants might avoid a DUI conviction if their attorney can negotiate a plea deal. One option is to get the charges reduced to a non-DUI offense. That would potentially help you avoid a DUI so early in life.
Your Trusted Legal Advocate
The Spizman Firm realizes that many young people make mistakes, and one DUI is not a sign of a habitual criminal offender. You should not pay a steep price when you are unlikely to commit the same offense again. Give our law office a call. We offer a non-judgmental consultation where a Gwinnett County underage DUI lawyer can discuss possible outcomes and what might qualify as a favorable disposition in your case.
