When it comes to juvenile drunk driving laws, California has some of the strictest laws in the country. Minors can be arrested and charged with drunk driving with even the slightest trace of alcohol in their system. This is known as a Zero Tolerance policy.
When you are under 21 and suspected of drunk driving, an officer can make you take a preliminary alcohol screening (PAS). If the you refuse, you will face a mandatory license suspension. If your BAC is .01% or higher, you will lose your driving privileges for one year and your case will be sent to traffic court, where you could face hefty fines.
If your BAC is .05% or greater, then your case will be handled in the criminal court, where you could face serious fines, be forced to enroll in a DUI course and lose your license for one year. If your BAC was above 0.08%, then you may be charged with an adult DUI and you will face all the penalties that this serious crime entails.
A DUI conviction could hamper your chances of being accepted into the college or job of your choice as this offense can appear on your DMV or criminal record. If you, or your juvenile child, has been accused of driving under the influence, please call a skilled Vista drunk driving attorney as soon as possible.
The results from a PAS device are always worth fighting because the officer who arrested you will have to show that their device was working properly at the time you were arrested and that they had the qualification to administer such a test. If they cannot prove both of these things, then the evidence will not be admitted into court. This is quite different from the regular breathalyzer test, which is generally presumed to be valid. This is why it is so critical that anyone under the age of 21 always work with an experienced Vista DUI lawyer.
If you are ready to speak with San Diego juvenile defense attorney Peter M. Liss, please call (760) 643-4050 to schedule a free initial consultation.
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