Underage DWI Charges in Concord

Concord DWI Defense Attorney for Under 21 Cases

Any charge of DWI (Driving While Impaired) can be serious. The law is very strict about any citizen consuming alcohol and then getting behind the wheel. And if you are under the age of 21 in North Carolina and are arrested for DWI, you can be facing some serious problems – even if it's your first conviction. You can lose your license for 30 days or even a year or more. In addition, you could face jail time and have to complete community service as well as a substance abuse program. There could be fines in addition to court fees. You can expect your car insurance premiums to go very high. And if convicted, you will have to make that known when you apply for college or loans.

If you or your minor child has been arrested for underage DWI, you should contact a DWI attorney in Concord as soon as possible. Quick action can mean the difference between a criminal record and a much less severe penalty.

Zero Tolerance

The law is much less tolerant of underage drivers who drink alcohol than adults. Adults in North Carolina have a threshold of 0.08 BAC (Blood Alcohol Concentration), but there is a zero tolerance policy for anyone under 21. You can be arrested with a BAC of just 0.01. And you can be arrested if a police officer simply smells alcohol on your breath or you are exhibiting some other behavior consistent with drinking alcohol, such as slurred speech.

How much alcohol you consumed will have a direct bearing on how you are charged. Being under 21, you have the possibility of being charged with a provisional DWI, a misdemeanor. Under this provision, you could retain some limited driving privileges. The decision at the time of the arrest is up to the police officer. Even though you may be under 21, you could potentially be charged with DWI if your BAC is above a .08%, which has harsher punishments.

Other circumstances are also taken into account when law enforcement is deciding how to charge you. Were you also involved in an accident? And if so, was anyone injured or killed? Were there other minors or even younger children involved in any way? These are some of the same factors that would be taken into consideration when the offender is an adult.

Defending Underage DWI in Concord

When defending minors who are charged with DWI, a skilled and experienced DWI lawyer will investigate all the facts. Sometimes a defense can be built around factors such as whether the police had probable cause to stop you in the first place. If not, then the charges could potentially be dismissed. Or perhaps there were administrative errors. Minors have the same rights as adults, and if they are violated, it could be a negotiation point.

Do I Need An Attorney?

You do not want to take a chance on your future when you are a minor and have been arrested for DWI. The penalties will make your life more difficult. An error in judgment can potentially change your life. At The Law Offices of Darrin M. Gamradt, P.C., they how to investigate underage DWI cases and defend them in order to obtain the best possible outcome. The firm's experience with the DWI process will provide the best protection of your rights and your record.

Call today for a case evaluation.