UNDER 21 DUI LAW

There are specific laws in California for persons under 21 who are arrested for DUI. Just like with people over 21, there are two separate prosecutions: the D.M.V. (where you can have your license taken away and suspended) and the criminal court (where you can be fined, put in jail, given alcohol education classes, community service, etc., depending on the facts of your case). However, the punishment is more severe for persons under 21, especially with the D.M.V. under California's "Zero Tolerance" laws.

California's "Zero Tolerance" laws make things a lot tougher on those people under 21 who are caught driving with any hint of impairment due to alcohol. The under 21 driver can have their driver's license taken away by the D.M.V. if their blood alcohol content is .01 percent or greater; they can be charged with a violation of California Vehicle Code section 23140 (DUI for persons under 21) if their blood alcohol content is .05 percent or greater; and they can be charged under the same DUI laws as persons over 21, all at the same time.

Since the penalties and consequences for persons under 21 are so severe, it is important to have an experienced, knowledgeable and aggressive California DUI attorney on your side. The transgressions we make in our early days can affect us for years to come. But many DUI's can be successfully defended, and you would be wise to contact a Southern California Drunk Driving Lawyer who knows this area of the law.