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ToggleArizona is known for having tough anti-drinking and driving laws. When it comes to punishing people convicted of DUI under age 21, this reputation is definitely deserved.
Arizona’s juvenile DUI law
As most of our readers already know, the legal minimum drinking age is 21, and 16 is the age you can receive a graduated driver’s license. The law treats people who are old enough to drive but not old enough to drink differently than older drivers. For one thing, the legal blood-alcohol content (BAC) limit for drivers 21 and older is .08 percent. For underage motorists, driving with “any spirituous liquor” in their bodies is grounds for arrest. Many other states set the BAC limit for juveniles at .02 percent.
Also, a conviction for underage DUI can lead to jail time and losing your driver’s license for nearly a year, even for a first offense. The statute provides a possible sentence of up to ten days in jail, along with a driver’s license suspension lasting up to 360 days. Finally, the judge can order up to $1,600 in fines. To compare, in Colorado, a first offense results in a three-month license suspension, a fine and community service.
The human side of an underage DUI arrest
Many teenage drivers arrested for DUI have never been in trouble with the law before. They are college or high school students who made a mistake. Then there are those whom the police wrongly accused of drinking and driving or somehow violated the young person’s rights.
Just like anybody else, someone accused of juvenile DUI in the Tempe area has the right to a defense attorney’s help. An experienced lawyer can help your teen son or daughter take on the charges and fight for a fair outcome.
Author Bio
Matthew L. Lopez
Matthew L. Lopez is the Managing Attorney and founder of Matthew Lopez Law, a criminal defense and DUI firm serving clients throughout Arizona. His track record of case dismissals and charge reductions has earned him honors, including a National Trial Lawyers Top 40 Under 40 nomination, a “Superb” 10/10 Avvo rating, and a Rising Star designation by Super Lawyers.
Matthew is a member of the National College for DUI Defense and holds active memberships with the Arizona Association for Criminal Justice and the Arizona Association for Justice. His firm handles criminal defense, DUI, drug charges, and traffic offenses, offering free consultations and affordable payment plans to make quality defense accessible to all Arizonans.
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Practice areas
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Tempe
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Lake Havasu City
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Apache Junction
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Parker