A Washington Minor DUI can severely impact the future of your underage loved one. While it is most often called a “minor DUI,” it quite different from an adult DUI. First and foremost, a minor does not even have to be affected by alcohol to be arrested and prosecuted. All that is required is that the minor drive after drinking, as evidenced with a breath test reading of .02 or higher.
A minor DUI is a simple misdemeanor that can be punishable by jail, fines, probation and other harsh lifestyle restrictions. However, unlike an adult DUI, there is no mandatory jail time or fines. But as with any other crime, a conviction can impact future employment opportunities
What is a Washington Minor DUI?
A person under the legal drinking age of 21 can be criminally charged with Minor DUI if they provide an evidentiary breath or blood alcohol sample of 0.02 to 0.07. If the minor provides a breath or blood alcohol sample that is equal to or greater than 0.08 the prosecution might charge them with a normal DUI.
Instead of juvenile courts, minors charged with a minor DUI will be charged in the same courts as adults.The court process for a minor DUI is much the same as a regular DUI. They will also have to go through the same DOL process as an adult charged with a normal DUI.
WHAT ARE THE TYPICAL PENALTIES IMPOSED
The maximum punishment for a Washington Minor DUI is 90 days in jail and a $1,000 fine. While a person convicted of minor DUI as at the discretion of the judge and can face up to the maximum penalty, usually there is no jail time imposed on minor DUIs. However, community service, work crew, fines, alcohol evaluation and classes are common. Sometimes there are opportunities to keep a minor DUI conviction off of one’s record depending upon the facts of the case, one’s criminal and driving history, the prosecutor and the judge. This can be critically important for those just starting their lives and careers.
As stated earlier, there may be an administrative suspension of their driving privileges, but there are no licensing consequences as a result of a conviction.