Is Your Child Facing Underage DUI Charges?

It is easier for underage drivers to face DUI charges in Florida. This is because Florida uses zero-tolerance laws with a lower blood alcohol content (BAC) limit. These mean that someone who is under 21 can be arrested on DUI charges with almost any detectable amount of alcohol. Anything over .02% can result in arrest, whereas the legal alcohol limit for most other drivers is .08%.

Here at the Law Firm of Scott T. Moorey, we understand exactly how much a drunk driving conviction can impact a young person’s future. It can make it harder for them to go to college, get a job, take advantage of financial opportunities and much more. We use our experience to skillfully guide young people and their parents in Fort Myers and the surrounding areas through the legal process.

Important Questions About Underage DUIs

If you are in this position, you may have numerous questions. Here are a few that our firm often hears:

Will my child be tried as a juvenile or an adult?

Minors are usually only tried as adults in serious cases involving minor crimes, and this is unlikely in a DUI case.

Will my child’s driver’s license be suspended?

Yes. A first DUI offense leads to a six-month suspension, but that increases to a year for subsequent offenses.

How will this affect car insurance rates?

Car insurance rates can certainly increase after a DUI arrest, especially after a DUI accident.

How could an underage DUI affect my child’s future opportunities?

Many opportunities get more difficult with a criminal record. It could be harder for a student to get into college, rent an apartment, apply for financial aid or get a job.

Can an underage DUI charge be expunged from my child’s record?

Some records can be sealed, such as an underage DUI that didn’t result in a conviction. If a conviction happens either through a plea or at trial, Florida law does not allow for the expungement of DUI records.

Contact Us Today

To get started with these questions or to set up a no-obligation consultation with a lawyer today, please call 888-821-9168 or get in touch with us via email. We service Collier, Hendry, Glades, Lee and Charlotte counties from our offices in Fort Myers, Punta Gorda, Naples and Cape Coral.