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The consequences of being convicted for driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol are in no way diminished if you are not old enough to be drinking in the first place. Leniency is much more difficult to come by, especially if aggravating factors are involved in your case, so it is even more critical to protect your rights and your future by retaining an attorney who is experienced in dealing with DUIs in your state.

Most states have adopted a Zero Tolerance Policy for those under the age of 21, which means that if your blood alcohol concentration, BAC, is higher than 0.0%, you could be arrested and convicted of DUI. However, in Maine, in order to be convicted of DUI while under the age of 21, you must be impaired or have a BAC of .08% or higher.  Here are just some of the potential consequences that you could be facing for a DUI as a minor, in no particular order:

Jail

Yes, jail time is a potential outcome if you are convicted of a DUI even as a minor, depending on several other factors.  In Maine, DUI is not a juvenile offense. Being underage is considered an aggravating factor in a DUI case, so you could see increased likelihood for jail or other consequences.

Monetary Fines

You may be responsible for thousands of dollars in monetary fines, very similar to having to pay a ticket for speeding if you are convicted of DUI. The amount depends on the state and other circumstances, but could total several thousand dollars that must be paid before your driving privileges can be restored. When serious bodily injury or property damage and/or fatalities occur, you could also face criminal restitution charges to the victim(s) or their families as well.

Loss of Driving Privileges

A DUI conviction almost always leads to loss of driving privileges, but the length of time depends on the case. If you are underage, that time could last a long time, depending on the state, judge, and circumstances. The younger you are, and the more serious the aggravating factors, the longer you will likely be without driving privileges.

Mandatory Rehab and Counseling

Minors convicted of DUI will likely face court-ordered rehabilitation or alcohol/drug counseling before the record is wiped clean. However, in Maine, because DUI is not a juvenile offense, if convicted, you have a criminal record and there is no expungement process.  This could be in the form of alcohol education classes, hospital rehabilitation or modern rehab facility, psychiatric counseling, and more, depending on several factors. You will be required to completely finish all courses or classes, including presenting a certificate of completion to the judge before your record is expunged, depending on the case and availability of expungement for minors.

This information is provided solely for informational purposes and does not constitute legal advice.

Originally published here.

A DUI in California is a serious matter which can have lasting side effects on your way of life. A DUI which should be taken gravely as one should take all the actions feasible to minimize its effects.

DUI means driving under the influence of alcohol. Getting charged with a DUI offense can restrict your driving life. Your driving license can be suspended, limited or recalled depending on the circumstances of the drunk driving offense. You may also receive really costly fines, probably serve jail time, and most likely be needed to attend drunk driving classes. The penalties rely on the courts and counties that you are charged in California.
There are a lot of drunk driving events each day. Many Californians are killed on the road due to accidents. For that reason, many of California laws are created exactly for drunk driving and law enforcement agencies are actively enforcing them. There are severe laws in place to deal with drivers who drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs and tolerance is low.

There are many DUI convictions annually in California and there are many Californians who end up paying a lot of fines and even have to complete jail terms for that. Many drivers either have their driving license suspended, prohibited by the California Department of Motor Vehicles. Even after the criminal court process and the loss of driving privilege by the DMV there is a criminal conviction that stays on your record which you may make several complications in your life, such as retaining employment, or certain licenses. While many Californians who have DUI convictions on their criminal records eventually get the conviction expunged, this is another process that needs additional costs and time.

Now there can be several reasons for an individual driving under the influence of alcohol. It’s possible a person just forced you to have 2 drinks or somebody suddenly took you to the bar to have a drink. You may also be depressed due to work and had a drink before driving. After you are caught, you will have tough time ahead.

The best option to attenuate the negative effects a DUI conviction can have on your record is to hire a professional California DUI lawyer. A knowledgeable DUI lawyer that’s familiar with the DUI laws of California and the local procedures and process of local courts can assist you in many ways. In the situations where the proof or the facts do not support a DUI conviction, an experienced DUI lawyer can present the parts of the case to the court and properly represent your interest and your innocence, efficiently reducing your charges or in a number of cases getting your case discharged.

In different conditions where the case presented by the District Attorney’s Office is strong a professional California DUI lawyercan test the parts of the case to attenuate the charge, prepare it for trial, or in many cases negotiate a plea deal with the District Attorney that benefits the client.
whatever the proof, facts or strength of the case presented against a drunk driver, a good and experienced California DUI Lawyer can reduce the negative effects a DUI conviction can have on a person by representing them with their best interest in mind.

If you’re looking for more information about California DUI Laws or would like to talk with a California DUI Lawyer, visit CaliDUI.com, or read more at California DUI Lawyer and DUI Laws.

Originally published here.

Can I have my drunk driving conviction expunged in Tennessee? Marcos M Garza www.garzalaw.com