Weaverville Underage DUI Lawyer

Weaverville Underage DUI Attorney

If you are charged with an underage DUI, you will want to fight it with the help of a Weaverville underage DUI lawyer. While being charged with a DUI can be detrimental to your record, getting one when you’re underage can be especially embarrassing and harmful.

The last thing you will want before reaching 21 is a criminal record, as that could follow you for life. Certain offenses may not be eligible for expungement, just like a DUI. Our firm can help you with the next steps.

Why Hire an Underage DUI Lawyer?

When facing legal penalties, the most important decision you can make is to hire an underage DUI lawyer to represent your case. A Weaverville underage DUI attorney’s help cannot be understated.

You will need someone who has experience with underage DUI cases and understands the DUI laws that apply to DUI charges. The team at Edwards Law, PLLC, can provide you with support. Doug Edwards has considerable experience as a prosecutor, so he knows how both sides work.

According to recent statistical information gathered by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Public Health, approximately 108,000 high school students throughout North Carolina are actively drinking alcohol. That’s one in five students. Additionally, 2023 saw over 27,000 DUI sentences imposed throughout the state, according to data from the North Carolina Sentencing and Policy Advisory Commission.

As you deal with the potential fallout from an underage DUI, whether you are the offender themselves or their parents, it’s vital that you prioritize your own mental and physical health first. It’s okay to not be okay during all this. You may want to consider speaking with a local support group that focuses on alcoholism or underage drinking, such as Talk It Out NC or NC-PUDI. Speaking to people in similar situations can be greatly beneficial.

Penalties for Underage DUI

According to North Carolina state law, any minor under 21 years old who is pulled over for a suspected DUI can be arrested and charged if they have any amount of detectable alcohol in their body. For most people, the blood alcohol content (BAC) maximum is 0.08%. For minors, it’s 0.01%.

North Carolina has a very strict zero-tolerance policy when it comes to underage drinking. It wouldn’t be uncommon for a judge to make an example out of a teenage offender in order to deter future offenders from making the same mistakes. Penalties for an underage DUI in North Carolina can include:

• Potential jail time of up to 60 days
• A fine of up to $1,000
• A one-year revocation of your driver’s license
• Mandatory community service
• Substance abuse treatment programs

Reach Out to a Lawyer Today

If you are facing legal consequences for an underage DUI in Weaverville, you don’t have to go through it alone. In fact, it’s recommended that you reach out to a defense lawyer as soon as you can. This could end up being a very serious situation for you, and you’ll want it resolved quickly. The legal team at Edwards Law, PLLC can provide you with a strong defense strategy, thorough legal protection, and assurance that you won’t be taken advantage of.

Our firm can help you figure out a path forward. Contact us to speak to a valued member of our team about your case.