Orlando Underage DUI Lawyer
When a minor is charged with DUI in Florida, the consequences can affect their educational opportunities, driving privileges, and future employment prospects. Under Florida law, anyone under the age of 21 who consumes alcohol commits a crime, with zero exceptions, and faces significantly stricter blood alcohol content (BAC) limits than adults.
At The Wiseman Law Firm, our DUI defense lawyer has over 25 years of experience defending minors and young adults against impaired driving charges in Orlando and throughout Central Florida.
Florida’s Zero Tolerance Law for Underage Drinking and Driving
Under Florida law, anyone under the age of 21 who consumes alcohol is committing a crime. There are no exceptions. Underage drinkers are statistically involved in a disproportionate number of alcohol-related auto fatalities, which has led the state to enforce stricter standards for drivers under 21. While the blood alcohol content (BAC) limit for all drinkers of age should be no more than 0.08%, people under the age of 21 can have no more than a 0.02% BAC.
If your child has been charged with an underage DUI, don’t hesitate to give our Orlando lawyer a call. Attorney Wiseman has 25 years of legal experience to offer your child’s case. The sooner we begin to mount a defense, the stronger your child’s case will be.
Penalties for Underage DUI in Florida
If your child is convicted of an underage DUI, the penalties escalate based on whether this is a first or subsequent offense. For a first offense, he or she could face jail time and a fine ranging from $1,000 to $2,000. The jail sentence will be determined by the judge. Additionally, his or her license will be suspended for up to 6 months. For a second or subsequent conviction, he or she will face 10 days to 12 months in jail, a fine ranging from $1,000 to $4,000, and license suspension for up to 1 year.
Additional Charges and Consequences
Depending on the prosecutor, your child could also be charged with several related crimes in addition to an underage DUI, such as the following:
- Child endangerment law violations
- Possession of false identification
- Moving and vehicle maintenance violations
- Distributing alcohol to other minors
- Minor in possession
- Soliciting alcohol
Likewise, many insurance companies will either terminate the underage driver’s policy after a DUI conviction or increase the monthly premium by $100 to $200 or more. Insurance providers view young drivers with DUI convictions as high-risk liabilities and adjust rates accordingly to account for the statistical likelihood of future incidents.
In Florida, an underage DUI conviction can also affect your child’s ability to qualify for college scholarships, student loans, and campus housing, as many educational institutions conduct background checks and have conduct policies that address criminal convictions.
Contact The Wiseman Law Firm About Your Child’s Case
Make sure your child’s future isn’t ruined by an underage DUI conviction. Talk to our Orlando DUI lawyer about the circumstances of your child’s arrest as soon as possible. As a former prosecutor who handled DUI cases from the state’s perspective, Attorney Wiseman understands the prosecution’s strategies and knows how to identify weaknesses in the state’s evidence. We can use our years of experience to help your child defend his or her rights and freedom.
Fill out our online form to schedule a free case consultation with us today.
