Delaware County Under 21 DUI Lawyer

In Delaware County, drivers under 21 are held to a stringent standard regarding DUIs. Usually, you can have a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08% or below and avoid criminal charges. However, if you’re under 21, this limit drops to 0.02% — regardless of age, a DUI conviction is potentially life-altering.

A Delaware County under-21 DUI lawyer from McKenzie Law Firm, P.C. can fight for the best outcome possible in your case and protect your rights. A charge isn’t a conviction, and you still have time to build your defense. We can represent you or your loved one.

Working With a Delaware County Under 21 DUI Lawyer

As a resident of Delaware County, you have the right to legal counsel. An under-21 DUI lawyer can provide you with several services, including:

• Filing an administrative appeal to recover your license
• Negotiating a plea deal, if applicable
• Defending your rights in court
• Investigating the details of your arrest
• Determining how to contest your charges

As your legal team, we prioritize reducing or eliminating your legal penalties. However, we’re also committed to providing you with a seamless and headache-free legal experience. To do so, we can offer you these perks:

• Provide you with the number of the lawyer assigned to your case
• Answer any questions you have about your case
• Offer frequent case updates
• Conduct an initial case evaluation

If you have further questions about working with a Delaware County under-21 DUI lawyer, we can address them during an initial case evaluation. This way, you can better understand the benefits of hiring our firm.

Why Choose Our Firm?

McKenzie Law Firm, P.C., is led by David C. McKenzie. Attorney McKenzie has several years of legal experience, first as an Assistant District Attorney (ADA) and then as a private lawyer. As an ADA, Attorney McKenzie prosecuted numerous cases, meaning he understands both sides of the courtroom. Now, Attorney McKenzie leads our firm, lending his years of legal experience to those in need during criminal defense cases.

When you choose our firm, you benefit from the following:

• The assistance of a lawyer who’s worked as both a criminal defense and prosecuting attorney
• A compassionate firm that prioritizes your well-being
• Ease of access – Attorney McKenzie will always be a phone call or text away if you join us as a client
• Our firm earned a “preeminent” rating from the Martindale-Hubbell legal rating website

Client Testimonials

To learn more about working with a Delaware County under 21 DUI lawyer from our firm, read our client testimonials:

• “David was a great help. Always returned a prompt reply to questions. Very knowledgeable lawyer. Makes you feel at ease. Highly recommend.” – Jim M.
• “Fantastic lawyer! Very honest and has clients best interest from start to finish.” – Tyson C.
• “Very professional and made me feel like I truly had the right people in my corner. Worked with me and made me feel like more than just another client! Would definitely refer friends and relatives to Attorney McKenzie in the future!” – Eric G.

Under 21 DUI Penalties Are Serious

Delaware County has adopted a zero-tolerance policy in DUI cases. If you or a loved one had a blood alcohol concentration of 0.02% or above at the time of arrest, you could be charged with a DUI if you are below the age of 21.

The penalties for first-time under 21 DUI conviction are serious, including:

• Up to 18 months of license suspension
• Up to six months in jail
• Up to $5000 in fines
• The installation of an ignition interlock device on your or your loved one’s vehicle

Aside from legal penalties, an under-21 DUI conviction can impact your personal life. You may struggle to hold a job amidst court appearances and community service, and your personal life could suffer. DUI convictions are best avoided. 

The DUI Accelerated Rehabilitative Discharge (ARD) Program

The Delaware County ARD program presents an opportunity for those facing first-time DUI charges. The benefits of participation in an ARD program include the following:

• Dismissal of your charges
• Expungement of your case from your record

Delaware County, and other counties throughout the state, adopted the ARD program to reduce strain on the legal system and quickly rehabilitate first-time offenders. The program does away with the need for a trial, settling DUIs quicker than standard cases..

Accelerated Rehabilitative Discharge Requirements

To complete the ARD program, you typically need to:

• Pay the costs associated with ARD participation
• Complete the required community service
• Undergo a drug and alcohol evaluation
• Complete Alcohol Safe Driving Classes

These requirements often differ from case to case. If you have questions about ARD participation, we can address them during an initial case evaluation.

Accelerated Rehabilitative Discharge Eligibility

You cannot participate in the ARD program if any of the following is true about your DUI arrest:

• A crash occurred where someone other than you was injured
• Your actions seriously endangered another person
• You are uninsured and have a history of uninsured driving license suspensions
• You left the scene of the crash with an occupied vehicle
• Children under the age of 14 were in your vehicle at the time of the arrest

To qualify for the ARD program, you must have an attorney and submit relevant documentation on time. A Delaware County under-21 DUI lawyer from our team can manage this submission process, keeping you updated on relevant deadlines and required documentation. We can also discuss appealing an ARD program denial.

Should I Enter a DUI Plea Deal?

During a plea deal, the defendant (the person charged with a crime) pleads guilty to a DUI. At first glance, this may sound counterintuitive. However, in some instances, plea deals can lead to the best outcomes.

These are the pros of entering a plea deal with prosecutors:

• Allows your lawyer to negotiate and potentially reduce your sentencing terms
• Could reduce the severity of the crime you’re charged with
• Avoids time-consuming trial

Our team understands plea deal negotiations. We can provide legal counsel if you’re currently involved in a plea deal or planning on entering a plea deal. We’re prepared to protect your best interests during sentencing negotiations. We can also explain if a plea deal makes sense for your specific case.

Work With a Delaware County Under 21 DUI Attorney Today

You don’t need to make sense of Delaware County’s legal system alone. Our firm is here to provide you with focus, clarity, and knowledge. Getting charged with a DUI is stressful, but fighting these charges doesn’t need to be. Contact our offices today for an initial case evaluation.