Underage DUI

Underage DUI in Tennessee

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Tennessee has a drinking age of 21 years old and the consumption of alcohol by anyone under the drinking age is illegal. There are some exceptions to this law; however, and consumption of alcohol for religious purposes is accepted. This does not affect the law regarding driving under the influence, underage drinkers still cannot operate a vehicle after consuming alcohol. If an underage drinker is pulled over and has a Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) level of .02% or higher, they may be cited for DUI. The age of the suspect plays a part in the determination of the consequences.

Potential Penalties for Underage DUI

If between ages 16 and 18, an underage DUI offense is punishable by a license suspension for up to one year, a fine of up to $250, and up to 48 hours in prison. If between ages 18 and 21, the penalties may differ, such as:

First Drunk Driving Conviction:

• Up to 11 months in prison
• A fine between $350 and $1,000
• Up to one-year license suspension

Second Drunk Driving Conviction (within 10 years of the first):

• Between 45 days and one year in prison
• A fine between $600 and $3,500
• Up to a two-year license suspension

When it comes to underage DUI cases, there could be other charges involved, including minor in possession, possession of false identification, and more. These charges may stay on your criminal record forever and affect your ability to find work. Seeking aggressive representation from a Chattanooga DUI attorney is advised in order to have a strong defense by your side. Davis & Hoss, PC has more than 35 Years of Experience representing the criminally accused in their DUI cases.