Candler Underage DUI Lawyer

Candler Underage DUI Attorney

The offense of driving while intoxicated (DWI) or driving under the influence (DUI) is penalized severely in North Carolina, and there is even less tolerance for drivers under 21. Any noticeable level of alcohol or substances while driving can lead to criminal charges against an underage driver, and a conviction can change your entire future. It is essential to work with a Candler underage DUI lawyer to protect a minor’s future after an arrest.

The right defense attorney could be able to mitigate or avoid the most severe charges of an underage DWI. At Edwards Law, PLLC, our team handles DUI, felony DUI, illegal DUI stop cases, and multiple DWI charges, and we can help you or your child navigate underage DUI penalties while protecting future educational and career opportunities. With over a decade of experience in criminal defense law, our firm is highly qualified and can fight for your rights. People make mistakes, and working with a Candler underage DUI attorney can prevent your mistake from shaping your entire life.

Some DWI misdemeanor cases are handled by the District Court at the Buncombe County Courthouse. This is located at 60 Court Plaza in Asheville. Edwards Law, PLLC has professional experience in many local courts.

What Is an Underage DWI in Candler?

In Candler, an underage DWI is the offense of having consumed any alcohol or controlled substance and driving while under the legal age to drink, or under 21. Underage drivers have a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit of 0.0%. The only exception to this section is when drivers under 21 have taken a lawfully obtained substance in appropriate amounts.

North Carolina is a zero-tolerance state, and harshly prosecutes underage drivers who operate their vehicles after having any controlled substance or alcohol. Drivers do not have to be seriously impaired to be arrested and convicted for this offense.

How Common Are Underage DWIs?

In 2023, the state’s Bureau of Investigation reported more than 15,300 arrests for DWIs in the state, and 103 of those were arrests of juveniles under 18. In Buncombe County in the same year, there were a total of 7,902 reportable accidents, and 345 of those were alcohol-related. Sadly, eight alcohol-related crashes were fatal. The entire state saw 1,157 alcohol-related crashes involving teenagers, out of 12,146 alcohol-related crashes.

What Penalties Are Associated with Underage DUI Cases?

An underage DWI is a class 2 misdemeanor. It can lead to penalties such as:

• License suspension
• Fines of up to $1,000
• Community service
• Jail time between one and 60 days
• Court-ordered educational or treatment programs

Serious DUI cases can even result in an underage driver being tried and sentenced as an adult, which can result in much more substantial penalties. Aggravating factors, such as causing injury or death to another person while driving, or having an especially high BAC, can lead to substantial consequences.

Protect Your Future From Serious Criminal Consequences – Hire an Underage DUI Lawyer

One of the most significant consequences of an underage DUI is a criminal record, which shows up in background checks and can affect opportunities in education, employment, housing, and loans. The most effective way to avoid these serious lifelong consequences is to hire an underage DUI lawyer in Candler who can determine the ideal defense to fight for you. Contact Edwards Law, PLLC, today.