Driving under the influence (DUI) is a charge reserved for underage drinking in Texas. It is a Class 3 misdemeanor. While it is essentially a complex traffic ticket, it might lead to a 60-day license suspension and can leave a stain on your arrest record—and on your future.
If you or someone you love was arrested and charged with underage drinking and driving, a Coppell under 21 DUI lawyer may be able to help you defend your current reputation and preserve your future. Do not let a youthful mistake limit your education, housing, employment, and career aspirations. Our team might be able to help you limit the impact of an under 21 DUI arrest and minimize the damage of a conviction.
Learn more about the possible penalties, how they might affect your driving privileges, and how our team can help by calling our office. You can contact our defense team at the Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg by calling (214) 696-9253.
Texas Is a Zero Tolerance State
Texas takes underage drinking and driving very seriously. According to the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), Texas has a Zero Tolerance Law, which means minors are penalized for every alcohol-related infraction of the law. “Zero tolerance” means you could be subjected to the following DUI penalties in Coppell for driving a car after consuming any amount of alcohol:
- A fine up to $500
- Loss of driver’s license for 60-days
- 20 to 40 hours of community service
- Mandatory alcohol awareness classes
Penalties for drivers who are 17 and older with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) level higher than the legal limit of .08 percent could face more severe penalties, including:
- A fine up to $2,000
- Jail time up to 180 days
- Loss of driver’s license for up to a year
Zero tolerance also means zero alcohol for young drivers in Texas. If you are a minor who is facing under 21 DUI charges in Coppell, our team might be able to help limit the damage to your reputation and your future goals. If you are a parent of a minor, your child does not have to face these charges on their own. Our team might be able to help avoid derailing their future.
You Might Face More Serious Charges
DUI penalties can be daunting for many young drivers. Even though a DUI charge is specific to drivers under the age of 21, under certain circumstances and at the arresting officer’s discretion, you might face more serious DWI charges.
Driving while intoxicated (DWI) charges and their accompanying penalties are more severe than DUI charges. According to the Texas Politics Project, DWI penalties include:
- Class A misdemeanor: 1 year of jail time and a $4,000 fine
- Class B misdemeanor: 180 days of jail time and a $2,000 fine
If the charges against you are escalated from misdemeanors to felonies, every corresponding penalty—e.g., fines, loss of driving privileges, and jail time—increase accordingly. Your Coppell lawyer can help you understand the severity of the charges against you and the penalties you might be facing. Our team may also help you negotiate a reduction in the charges against you and the penalties you might be facing.
Your Reputation May Be in Jeopardy After an Under 21 DUI Arrest
Obtaining a driver’s license often represents fun and freedom to young drivers. While it can be both of those things, it is also a privilege and a responsibility. If a young person gets arrested and convicted for a DUI, this might lead to severe penalties and long-term consequences.
An under 21 DUI might impact your ability to:
- Continue your education
- Rent an apartment
- Obtain future employment
An under 21 DUI conviction might also damage your current employment and any form of employment that depends on having a driver’s license or safe driving record to remain employed.
A Coppell under 21 DUI lawyer might be able to have your criminal record expunged or sealed if they meet legal standards listed in the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure §55.01. Contact a criminal defense team member at the Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg by calling (214) 696-9253 today and find out how we might be able to help protect your reputation and your future.
A DUI Lawyer Can Make Sure Your Rights Are Protected
While under 21 DUI is a serious charge, you still have rights during and after your arrest. If your rights were violated in any way, our team might have leverage that can help reduce or dismiss the charges against you. A reduction in charges might also lead to a reduction in fines and any potential jail time.
Your rights might have been violated if:
- You were not read your Miranda rights in full
- Your Miranda rights were not read in a language you understood
- You were questioned after asking for a lawyer
If any of these situations occurred, inform a member of your legal team immediately. We will also work hard to make sure the arresting officer had probable cause to pull your vehicle over in the first place. Definitions of “probable cause” are defined in the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure §14.03.
We understand your rights and their value. We also understand the community, social, personal, and professional impact of an under 21 DUI. Our team is on your side. Let us work with you to avoid derailing your future.
A Coppell Under 21 DUI Lawyer Wants to Help You Minimize the Damage of an Arrest
An under 21 DUI arrest, charge, or conviction could have far-reaching repercussions. Randall B. Isenberg has more than 30 years of experience as a former prosecutor and state district judge. He and his team want to help people fight against unlawful charges and maintain their future. If you are facing under 21 DUI charges or a parent of a child facing these charges, call our legal team at the Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg at (214) 696-9253 today.
