Getting an Underage DUI Offence

DUI law with regard to teenagers is very strict. Teenagers have very little driving experience, and when you mix that lack of experience with alcohol, things can go very wrong. Underage drinking is very common in Canada, and it costs a lot of people their health and lives every year. Hence, the super strict rules. 

Course of Action

Mistakes are normal, it’s how you attempt to fix them that matters. This mistake, however, is hard to fix on your own. If you’re a teenager and you’ve been charged with a DUI offence, you need to call Jonathan Lapid today. Don’t let one silly mistake mess up your future. An experienced Toronto DUI lawyer will provide a free assessment and will do what needs to be done to get your charges dropped. 

Underage DUI Laws in Ontario

Driving drunk while underage is one of the worst things you can do while driving. Since you most likely won’t have a full license just yet (remember, Ontario uses a graduated licensing plan), the consequences are going to be severe. You may have to restart the whole process all over again. In some cases, depending on the severity of your situation, you may simply be banned from driving for a couple of years. Not to mention the fines you’ll be subject to get higher and higher each year. Here’s what you need to know about the different DUI charges out there.

Types of DUI Charges for Underage Drivers

Zero Tolerance Charges

The standard legal limit for adults is 0.08 BAC (blood alcohol concentration), but for teenage drivers the limit is zero. If you are under 21, you can be subject to both zero tolerance penalties for any detectable alcohol and criminal penalties if your BAC is over 0.08.

Driving under the influence or impaired driving

These two are very similar because you don’t actually need to be drunk or high. You can be charged while driving under the influence of fatigue, for example. Other things include prescription medication, or simply not wearing your prescribed eyewear. In such cases, an impaired driving lawyer can analyze technical aspects of the case and build a strong defence strategy.

Refusing to provide a breath sample

You need to give the officer on the scene permission to collect a sample. You are bound by law to do this, so failure to comply will result in really serious fines, and possibly jail time. It’s better to just agree and provide the sample. A lot of people assume they can just refuse the test, but that’s certainly not an option, and it never will be.

Repeat offender penalties

If you are charged with any of the mentioned DUI types multiple times, your fines and penalties will be enhanced significantly. You’d be facing tens of thousands in fines, years in jail, and so much more. If you get a DUI twice, chances are you’ll never drive again. You’ll be a criminal for a long time, if not your whole life, and any chance at a job is out the window. All of your employers will see that your have a history of underage DUI offence.

Conclusion

An underage DUI offence is a serious matter. Whether you’re worried about starting over with your license, explaining the situation to your parents, or how this might follow you into school or work, you need to keep calm and contact a professional for legal advice.

Getting an Underage DUI Offence FAQ