Underage DUI and Consequences in Illinois

 Posted on December 19, 2018 in Juvenile

As a parent, you have dreaded this day since the first time you handed your teenager the car keys and they took off without you. Getting a call that your teen is in trouble is always unsettling, no matter the situation. When that call is to inform you that your teen has been pulled over for drinking and driving, it can be devastating for both of you. 

Even though parents frequently stress the dangers of underage drinking and driving to their children, kids do not always listen, and parents are left to deal with the repercussions. Underage DUI can severely impact your child’s driving and criminal records. That could mean not getting into the college of their choice or other serious complications.

DUI Consequences in Illinois

Even though your teen is technically not an adult yet, they can be charged with an “adult” DUI if their blood-alcohol content is over .08. A first DUI conviction means license suspension for at least two years, vehicle registration suspension, and fines of up to $2,500. Your teen will not be eligible for a restricted driving permit (RDP) until the second year of the license revocation. Offenders under the age of 18 are not eligible for a monitoring device driving permit (MDDP) and may be required to attend remedial education before their driving privileges are reinstated.

Illinois Zero-Tolerance Law

Your teen may be subject to Illinois’ zero-tolerance DUI laws. These laws, applicable to DUI offenders under 21, were put in place to reduce the number of young DUI offenders. The laws state that any driver under 21 caught with a BAC of more than .00 is subject to a three-month license suspension for a failed chemical test and a six-month suspension for a refused chemical test for a first offense. For a second violation, the suspension periods are raised to one and two years, respectively.

A Naperville Juvenile DUI Defense Attorney Can Help

You always want your children to make good decisions, but in life, sometimes teenagers make really dumb ones. If your teen has been charged with a DUI, you need the immediate help of a skilled Aurora juvenile DUI defense lawyer. At the Law Office of Patricia Magana, LLC, we understand how emotional it can be for you to have a teenager in legal trouble, and the potential impact it can have on their life. To protect your child’s future, call our office today at 630-448-2001 to set up a free consultation.

Sources:

https://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/publications/pdf_publications/dsd_a118.pdf