Underage Drinking is Not a Minor Offense

Underage Florida DUI arrest already become a common offense of teenagers in the United States today, and it still continues to rise as the youngsters are given an almost unrestricted freedom by their parents, or are being induced by their tempting environment to submerge themselves with the evil of alcohol that could bring horrible disaster to their future and the safety of the road travellers. It is thus unfortunate that the thousands of teenagers who die, get disabled, or face burdensome legal consequences every year are the innocent victims of their own vice – drinking too much and driving with a speed beyond the safe limit of their lives.

And no matter how high the degree of sympathy the world would extend, it would take no effect not until the teenage offenders learn from their mistakes. When would this time become a reality so there would be no minors who will be put to death by the alcohol? Well, this may only seem unrealistic for the parents who are now hoping that their children being tried for a DUI offense would be acquitted and would change soon after the trial. It is not certain, but it is often quite ironic, though, that these young antagonists of the law seem to be ready in facing the consequences of their unlawful act.

Commonly, the burden imposed by a DUI offense are the heavy fines and incarceration which may vary depending on the circumstance of the case. Nevertheless, the case of minor offenders differ as to how much level of alcohol is qualified for violation, and how they should serve their penalties. As you may probably know, every state in the U.S. has a “zero tolerance policy” in relation to the stringent resolution to the prevalent underage drinking. One proviso in this policy is any driver below the majority age (21 years old) can be stopped by authorities if suspected to have an alocohol level of .02 or higher. It is significantly far from the .08 alcohol limit for the drivers above 21 years old. Hence, if got caught, an underage driver would have to go through with the folllowing:

Mandatory Alcohol Assessment and Education – this is the initial process that an underage driver convicted of DUI would go through. In this case, the offender will be interviewed by rehabilitation psychologists or specialists to ascertain how the alcohol has influeced the life of the teenager and if it can lead to addiction. Yet, part of which is a cumpulsory attendance in alcohol education classes wherein the underage offenders are taught about the ill effects of alcohol on human health, and other consequences that might be caused by intoxication.

Driver's License Suspension – if an underage DUI offender has already his own license, then it would be suspended by the state authorities which is usually for 90 days. But on the second violation, it will be increased to one - three years depending on the circumstance of the case. However, in the case where an offender don't have yet a driver's license, then the penalty would be that he will not be allowed to get license until eighteen or twenty- one years old.

Incarceration and Fines – this is the worst consequence of the underage DUI for an offender may be penalized from three to five years of probation or incarceration for one year either in a common jail or any detention center. It should be noted, however, that the span of incarceration and the amount of fines differ in every state and are dependent on the circumstance of the case.

The underage drinking is indisputably not a minor offense notwithstanding the fact that the offenders are minors; this the essence of equality under the law where no one can escape any liability as a consequence in violation thereof. Thus, if you or your peers are charged with DUI, then get ready to be prosecuted and convicted if you don't hire a competent defense attorney to protect your rights and freedom from liability.