Our Lawyers Defend Clients Charged With Underage DUI
For dependable advice about your best defense options to resolve a charge of underage DUI on favorable terms, contact an experienced attorney at Daniels & Rothman in Athens.
Our location near the University of Georgia has given us plenty of experience in defending students and other people under 21 on DUI charges. What makes us different, however, is our interest in winning your case rather than pleading guilty to reduced or compromised charges.
We Concentrate On Winning DUI Cases, Not Compromising Them
Our experience with the investigation, analysis and defense of DUI charges enables us to attack the case against you. We look at the circumstances of your traffic stop, your field sobriety testing, your blood, breath or urine test (if any), and the other facts of your case to find the weaknesses in the evidence against you. At the same time, we develop the constitutional arguments that can lead to an early dismissal of the case. Our goal is not to get you off with minimal punishment but to beat your case entirely. Our effective DUI defense methods can help you avoid the possibility of jail time and a lengthy license suspension.
We also advise students charged with other offenses, such as drug possession or disorderly conduct. We can help you deal with the academic consequences of an arrest or conviction as well as the immediate criminal charges.
Penalties For An Underage DUI Are More Serious Than You May Assume
It’s important to note that a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) reading of just .02% is enough to support a DUI conviction for drivers under 21. While alcohol affects each person differently, many people could register a .02% BAC after consuming just one drink.
In Georgia, the consequences of an underage DUI conviction are not simply a “slap on the wrist.” They can be quite serious.
For a first offense, you could face a license suspension for six months and be assessed fines and fees that could easily add up to more than $1,500. You might also be required to complete community service and attend alcohol education courses. If your BAC is over .08% (which would be over the limit for an of-age adult), the penalties include at least a day in jail and the suspension of your license for 12 months.
For a second offense, the penalties are even harsher, including longer license suspension, increased fines, mandatory community service and possible jail time.
Simply having a DUI on your criminal record can have a long-lasting impact on your life, affecting your education, employment opportunities and future prospects. Considering all that is at stake, it is highly advisable to trust your case to a lawyer who’s focused on winning it.
Open Container Violations Could Further Complicate Your Case
A common additional problem in underage DUI cases is the discovery of an open container. In Georgia, it is illegal to transport alcoholic beverages in the passenger area of a vehicle if the container’s seal has been broken (which is evidence of opening) and/or the contents of the container have been partially removed.
For drivers under 21, and open container charge alone can result in a 120-day license suspension. This is in addition to the consequences of a potential underage DUI charge and a minor in possession (MIP) charge. Passengers in the vehicle caught with an open container could face an open container charge and an MIP charge.
Our attorneys are highly experienced in all aspects of DUI defense, including related charges to those mentioned above. No matter what you’re facing, we urge you to contact us and learn more about your rights and legal options.
Talk To Us Today About Your Charges
For a free consultation about your case, dial 706-621-5166 or complete our online form to contact a DUI defense attorney at the Athens law firm of Daniels & Rothman.