23 Mar What Are the Arizona DUI Penalties for Minors?
When someone under 21 gets caught drinking and driving, they will get charged with a DUI. It’s illegal for anyone under 21 to consume alcohol, so driving under the influence is an automatic DUI.
According to statistics from 2018, 24% of teens age 15 – 20 who were killed in car accidents had some amount of alcohol in their system. That’s why Arizona, like many other states, punishes underage DUIs so harshly. Penalties for a DUI conviction as a minor can range from community service to jail time, depending on the circumstances. However, the criminal record could follow you far into the future.
What happens when a minor gets a DUI?
As an example, let’s say Brad (age 17) drives home after drinking some beer while watching the game at his friend’s place. Brad’s front left tire is a little flat, and his car keeps pulling to the left, causing him to have to correct continuously. A police officer suspects Brad of being drunk and pulls him over for a breathalyzer test. Because of Arizona’s zero-tolerance law, the officer gives Brad a citation for driving under the influence.
Any blood alcohol level above 0.00% is illegal for driving minors.
Now that Brad has a DUI charge, he faces a conviction and all the penalties that come along with it.
DUI Penalties for Minors in Arizona
A minor facing a DUI charge in Arizona can receive jail time, although this is rare. The most common consequences are fines, license suspension, and community service. The charge could be a misdemeanor or a felony, depending on the situation, the minor’s age, previous record, blood alcohol level, and other factors.
There are other negative consequences that result from a DUI charge as well. For instance, the termination of a car insurance policy or losing eligibility for scholarships. Losing the ability to drive could also result in the loss of employment or make it harder to get to school.
Since Brad is 17, his case will be handled by the juvenile justice system. If he was 18, he would be tried much the same as an adult (21+) who received a DUI citation. The DUI penalties in Arizona for adults are much harsher than those for minors.
Charges that Could Accompany an Underage DUI Charge
Typically when a minor receives a DUI charge, they’re already in a situation that creates an opportunity for other charges to be applied. For example, if Brad was out drinking with a license that wasn’t his, he could be charged with possession of false identification and even identity theft. Officers may also confiscate the license.
Or, let’s say Brad was at a party where he’d been drinking with several underage friends, and Brad was the one who brought the alcohol. On top of a DUI, he could be charged as a minor in possession of alcohol and for distributing alcohol to other minors.
Get Help Fighting an Underage DUI Charge in Arizona
Todd Coolidge will work to see your minor DUI charges reduced or even dismissed. He provides a strong defense for Maricopa county citizens who are facing criminal charges. Many have leaned on Todd Coolidge through their DUI process, expressing gratitude for his skilled, composed, and practiced representation.
A DUI charge as a minor can change your life. For one thing, it means carrying a criminal record with you into adulthood. The incident will show up on background checks, even if it happened when you were underage. If you or a loved one are facing any DUI charge in Arizona, call Coolidge law today.
Todd Coolidge graduated magna cum laude from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh in 1984 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice. He attended Arizona State University College of Law and has been practicing law exclusively as a criminal defense attorney since graduating in 1990. He has over 25 years of experience and is certified as a Criminal Law Specialist through the Arizona Board of Legal Specialization.