North Carolina Underage/Teenage DWI

As you probably know, you must be 21 years of age or older to legally consume alcohol in the United States. Nevertheless, thousands upon thousands of minors are arrested each year for driving while intoxicated—a crime known as underage or teenage DWI. If you were recently charged with this offense in the state of North Carolina, it is especially important to obtain legal counsel immediately, as the penalties for a drunk driving conviction can wreak havoc on your future.

Like all other states, it is against the law to operate a vehicle with a blood-alcohol content (BAC) of 0.08% or higher in North Carolina. However, drivers under the age of 21 are expected to abide by a much lower BAC limit since they are not legally allowed to purchase alcohol. As a result, even a small amount of alcohol can be enough to warrant an underage DWI charge in the state of North Carolina.

As with any other DWI offense, the penalties for underage drinking and driving range depending on the driver's criminal history and the circumstances of his or her arrest. Based on this information, the offense can be classified into one of five levels, with a level 1 DWI being the most severe.

The type of sentence you will receive for an underage DWI conviction will vary greatly based on the level of the offense. For example, if you are charged with a level 1 offense, you may be fined several thousands of dollars, lose your driving privileges for a year or more, and spend up to two years behind bars.

On the other hand, a less serious level 5 DWI normally requires no more than 24 hours jail time, a much lower fine, and a far shorter license suspension. In some cases, the judge may even allow you to complete community service in lieu of jail time.

Regardless of the level of your offense, there are certain requirements that the prosecution must meet before you can be found guilty of driving while intoxicated. As specified by state law, the court must not only prove that you were underage at the time of your arrest, but also that you were driving a motor vehicle on a public road, and had consumed alcohol before or while driving. In most cases, your breath test results will be used to prove this last requirement.

It is important to know that, after you are arrested for underage DWI, your license may be automatically suspended. Because you have only a limited amount of time to appeal the suspension, it is extremely important to obtain legal representation immediately after you are arrested.

To start planning the best defense strategy for your case, check your local listings today to find an attorney who specializes in DWI defense. Oftentimes, a skilled legal professional can challenge the evidence in your case and help reduce or eliminate the charges against you.

Protect your future and improve your chances of obtaining a favorable outcome in court. Discuss your North Carolina underage DWI case with an experienced attorney in your area today.

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