Texas Juvenile DUI Attorney Provides a Robust Defense

Determined representation for minors to protect their future

Growing up isn’t easy. It’s natural for young people to test boundaries and make mistakes. Unfortunately, certain mistakes can haunt them for a very long time. In Texas, there is a zero-tolerance law against people below age 21 driving under the influence of alcohol (DUI). A violation can result in a criminal conviction as well as a license suspension. At The Law Offices of Kevin L. Collins, P.C., you’ll get determined representation from a board-certified criminal defense attorney with more than 30 years of experience.

Texas law regarding minor DUI

In Texas, driving while intoxicated (DWI) can be charged when a driver’s blood alcohol content is above 0.08 percent or when a driver’s mental or physical faculties are obviously impaired. But for drivers under the age of 21, who cannot legally consume alcohol, any detectable amount of alcohol in their systems can support a charge of DUI, even if they are not actually intoxicated.

Consequences for drivers charged with DUI

The penalties for DUI depend on the driver’s age:

• Past 17 but not yet 21 — For drivers in this age group, DUI is Class B misdemeanor with potential penalties that include up to $2,000 in fines, 72 hours to 180 days of jail time and a minimum one-year license suspension. A judge may reduce the suspension to 90 days, conditioned on community supervision and installation of an ignition interlock device (IID). A second conviction is a Class A misdemeanor, while a third conviction is a third-degree felony.
• Under the age of 17 — For these drivers, DUI is a Class C misdemeanor, which can draw a fine of up to $500, a minimum license suspension of 60 days and community service of 20 to 40 hours. The individual may also have to complete an alcohol awareness course, which a parent may have to attend.

In addition to DUI, minors can be charged with DWI if they meet the law’s BAC or impairment standards.

Texas also has an implied consent law, which means that youths arrested for DUI must agree to breath, blood or urine testing. If a youth refuses to take one of these tests, he or she faces a mandatory administrative license suspension of 180 days. A second refusal results in a suspension of two years. The youth can also be kept in custody until an appearance before a juvenile court judge.

A misdemeanor conviction creates a permanent record that can severely hamper future educational and career opportunities. License suspensions alone can cause hardship for youths who are working or pursuing an education. As your advocate, Kevin L. Collins challenges the evidence and the police procedure that led to the arrest. He works tirelessly to have charges reduced or dismissed and to seek lenient sentences whenever possible.

Contact a board-certified criminal defense lawyer for juvenile DUIA charges in San Antonio

The Law Offices of Kevin L. Collins, P.C. in San Antonio provides aggressive defense representation for youths accused of DWI and DUI. To schedule a consultation, call us at 210-598-8629 or contact us online. We are conveniently located at the IBC Centre, 130 East Travis Street, easily accessible from I-35 and I-37.