You’re under 21, and you see police lights in your rear-view mirror. You pull over while a feeling of fear washes over you. An officer steps up to your window and asks if you’ve had anything to drink. You take a breathalyzer test, and the officer charges you with a DUI.
Now, you face a possible conviction that can make your life more difficult. But you can fight back. A Bucks County under 21 DUI lawyer from McKenzie Law Firm, P.C. can represent you in court and protect your future. Our criminal defense firm is ready to fight for you.
Pennsylvania has a zero-tolerance policy for underage drinking and driving. All drivers are subject to penalties for driving under the influence, but drivers under 21 yet over 18 face more severe penalties for a DUI conviction. Each additional conviction carries stiffer penalties.
First-time offenders usually will not face suspension of their driver’s license unless their blood alcohol content level is over 0.10 percent.
In addition to the above penalties, a conviction could include a requirement that an offender uses an ignition interlock device, preventing a driver from starting their vehicle if it detects any amount of alcohol. A driver must blow into this device if they want to drive. Even then, there may be restrictions on where you can travel.
For instance, you may only be able to drive to work, school, or a health care facility.
Pennsylvania considers drivers under 18 as minors whose cases are subject to the juvenile court system. Although Pennsylvania still takes underage drinking and driving by those under 18 seriously, the focus is on rehabilitation.
If it’s your first offense, the court could agree to enter you into the consent decree program for no more than six months.
This program qualifies an offender for all community-based treatment programs and includes the following requirements:
You must petition the court to enter this program. A Bucks County under 21 DUI lawyer from our firm can help you. Completing this program could result in the expungement of your record, so it will not negatively impact your ability to apply for loans, jobs, or colleges.
The legal limit for a DUI conviction in Pennsylvania is .08 percent, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Motor Vehicles. This is the standard for drivers 21 or older. But the legal limit is lower at .02 percent for drivers under 21.
Because a single drink can raise your blood alcohol content to .02 percent, that means it only takes one to potentially put you at the legal limit.
Police officers can measure your blood alcohol content by employing a breathalyzer test, where you blow into a device for several seconds. You should not refuse to submit to a breathalyzer test because it can result in an automatic 12–18-month suspension of your driver’s license.
A DUI conviction on your record could follow you around for life. It can hurt your ability to apply for loans, jobs, and even colleges, thus dealing you an early setback to your plans and goals. But obtaining a Bucks County under 21 lawyer from our firm provides you with an advocate who will work to protect your best interests and defend you against a DUI charge.
Pleading guilty for the sake of moving on may seem like the easiest choice, but the consequences of doing so are not worth it when a lawyer can offer a defense. We can challenge the results of the breathalyzer test because the device may have been improperly administered or faulty. We can determine if the police had probable cause to pull you over or charge you.
Perhaps the police did not exercise proper procedure, such as failing to read you your rights. We can also determine if there was any police misconduct. And finally, we can offer alternative reasons that explain your behavior. These strategies can work to counter the prosecution, and we can also negotiate an outcome with lesser penalties. You could avoid the suspension of your license and under certain circumstances prevent a DUI conviction from remaining on your record.
You do not have to fight your DUI charge alone. Our law firm can defend you and protect your rights. McKenzie Law Firm, P.C. is led by David McKenzie, a former criminal prosecutor whose experience on the other side of the courtroom has been indispensable in the defense of our clients.
Don’t let a DUI charge ruin your life and reputation. We specialize in DUI cases, and we believe everyone should have access to a quality defense. If you have a DUI charge, contact our firm for a free consultation today.
