Drinking alcohol while under the age of 21 is illegal, but many people do still drink. When driving, they can be arrested and charged with a DUI even if they only had one drink before getting behind the wheel of a vehicle. Those who are under the age of 21 and are arrested and charged with a DUI need to seek legal assistance from a DUI Law Attorney in Twin Falls ID right away.
What is the Legal Limit?
In Idaho, the legal limit for alcohol is .08. However, this changes if the person is under 21 years old due to the local minimum drinking age. Before someone turns 21, they cannot have a BAC of .02 or higher if they’re driving. For most people., this means they cannot have even a small drink before they get behind the wheel of a vehicle. If a person chooses to drink while they’re underage, even one drink, they should have someone who hasn’t been drinking drive them home.
What are the Penalties?
For the first offense, the arrested person faces a mandatory driver’s license suspension, up to six months in jail, a $1,000 fine, and a potentially longer driver’s license suspension if they’re found guilty in court. For a second offense, they face a mandatory jail sentence of up to a year, up to $2,000 in fines, and a suspension of their driver’s license for up to a year. If the second offense occurs within five years of the first one, they cannot get a restricted license. Penalties increase if they are arrested for a third or subsequent DUI.
What’s Different For Those Who Are Under 21?
Those who are under 21 can have their driver’s license suspended for a year and will not be able to get a restricted driver’s license for at least the first 90 days. They will need to take an alcohol evaluation as well and can have more serious penalties if they are arrested again for a DUI before they turn 21.
Whether you’re an adult or under the age of 21, make sure you speak with a DUI Law Attorney in Twin Falls ID as soon as possible after your arrest. The attorney can discuss legal options with you and help to minimize the penalties you’re facing. Click here to learn more today.
