Key Largo Underage DUI Defense Attorney

Dedicated Underage DUI Lawyers Helping Young Drivers in Key Largo, FL

While minors are not allowed to possess or consume alcohol, there are many young people who engage in these activities. In some cases, this can lead to DUI charges. In fact, a minor under the age of 21 can be arrested for DUI in situations where an adult driver would be under the legal limit. Because of the stricter standards that apply to younger drivers, a small amount of alcohol could lead to an arrest, and a minor could face penalties that could affect their life in multiple ways.

In the Florida Keys, many college students and young travelers visit the area while on vacation, and police officers may increase their patrols on the roads during spring break and other times with high levels of tourist activity. Minors who are arrested for DUI will need to understand how to respond and what steps they can take to minimize the penalties they may face. The attorneys at Keys Criminal Defense, PLLC can provide the representation needed in these cases, working to protect the rights of young adults and help them resolve underage DUI cases successfully.

Why Underage Drivers May Be Stopped, Detained, and Arrested in Key Largo

Police officers in the Florida Keys will often be watching for signs of underage drinking. They may stop drivers in a variety of situations that could lead to underage DUI charges, including:

• Traffic Violations: When an officer observes a minor violating traffic laws by speeding, failing to stay within their lane, running a red light, ignoring a stop sign, tailgating, or committing another offense, they may pull the driver over, and they may look for signs of alcohol use during the traffic stop.
• Checkpoints and Saturation Patrols: Law enforcement agencies may set up DUI checkpoints, or they may increase patrols in certain areas during times when minors are more likely to drink and drive. These officers will be watching for any signs that minors have been using alcohol, and they may arrest anyone who is suspected of drinking and driving.
• Reports From Bars and Restaurants: Staff members at local establishments may contact law enforcement when they suspect that an underage patron has been drinking and plans to drive. Officers may use their descriptions to stop vehicles and investigate drivers for underage DUI.
• Accidents: When a young driver is involved in a collision, police officers who come to the scene may take steps to determine whether the minor has been drinking alcohol.

Florida's Zero Tolerance Law for Underage Drivers

Because drivers younger than 21 are not allowed to consume alcohol, they can be charged with DUI based on a very small amount of alcohol. A minor who has a blood alcohol concentration of at least 0.02 percent can be charged with underage DUI. This threshold is much lower than the legal limit of 0.08 percent that applies to drivers who are over the age of 21. In many cases, a single drink can cause a young driver to exceed the zero-tolerance threshold.

How an Underage DUI Charge Can Affect a Minor's License

The penalties for underage DUI will typically involve the suspension of a person's driver's license. If a minor is arrested, and a chemical test shows that they have a BAC of at least 0.02 percent, their driver's license will typically be suspended for a period of six months. A second offense of driving with a BAC higher than 0.02 percent will result in a one-year driver's license suspension.

While a person can refuse to take a chemical test, doing so will result in a longer driver's license suspension. A first refusal will result in a suspension lasting for one year. A refusal after a previous license suspension for underage DUI will result in a suspension lasting for 18 months.

Other Ways an Underage DUI Charge Can Impact a Young Person's Future

In addition to a license suspension, an underage DUI charge can lead to ripple effects that may affect a minor's life in many ways. These include issues that may impact their:

• Education: Many colleges and universities have codes of conduct that require students to report criminal charges. When a minor has been arrested for DUI, they may face discipline that could affect their continued attendance, or they may be disqualified from receiving scholarships or other forms of financial aid.
• Employment: A record of an underage DUI arrest can appear in background checks. This may make it more difficult for a young person to find a job, secure an internship, or take other steps that will help them build a successful career.
• Insurance Costs: A person's auto insurance premiums will often rise sharply after a license suspension for underage DUI. Some insurers may decline to renew coverage altogether.
• Immigration Status: For international students who are studying in Florida or who are visiting the Florida Keys on vacation, an underage DUI charge could lead to immigration consequences that could place a student visa at risk.

Enhanced Penalties for Underage Drivers in DUI Cases

In addition to the license suspensions that may apply for violations of Florida's zero tolerance law, underage drivers may face more serious penalties in certain cases. If a minor was allegedly driving with a BAC of 0.08 percent or higher, they will face the same DUI charges that would apply to an adult driver in that situation. They could face fines of up to $1,000 and the possibility of a jail sentence. If a minor was allegedly driving with a BAC of 0.15 percent or more, the penalties will increase further.

The use of controlled substances, including marijuana, prescription medications, or illicit drugs, can lead to DUI charges. Most of the time, drug DUI will be charged as a misdemeanor offense, with the same penalties that would apply for driving with a BAC of 0.08 percent or higher.

When an accident occurs in a situation where a minor has allegedly been drinking alcohol or using drugs, a DUI charge can be elevated to a felony. A minor who is accused of causing a serious bodily injury while intoxicated may face third-degree felony charges. A minor who has allegedly caused someone's death due to intoxicated driving may face second-degree felony charges. The penalties for felony DUI are much more serious than other types of DUI charges, and a minor could be sentenced to multiple years in prison.

Contact Our Key Largo, Florida Underage DUI Lawyers

An underage DUI charge can threaten a young person's education, career plans, and driving privileges. At Keys Criminal Defense, PLLC, we work to defend minors against these penalties and help them resolve intoxicated driving charges successfully. We can represent Florida residents, college students visiting from out of state, or any other minors who may face accusations of DUI. Contact our Key Largo, FL underage DUI defense attorneys at 305-324-7888 to set up a free consultation.