The Bucks County Courier Times reports that out of a total of 21 drivers that were arrested for a DUI last week, 3 of them were under the age of 21.
A 17-year-old boy and an 18-year-old girl were both arrested for a DUI in Bensalem. A 19-year-old boy was also arrested in Lower Southampton.
The Century Council reports that in 2008, 559 people under the age of 18 were arrested in Pennsylvania for a DUI. That is more than one percent of all of the DUI arrests in the state. However, out of the 497 alcohol-impaired driving fatalities that occurred in the state in 2008, 50 of them involved a person under 21 years of age. That is 10 percent. While 1 out of a 100 DUI arrests involves a minor; a minor is involved in one out of ten DUI fatalities.
The Pennsylvania DMV explains that for drivers under the age of 21, if their BAC level registers at or above 0.02%, then that driver will automatically be charged with a DUI. For an adult, the BAC limit is 0.08%. Due to the zero tolerance law, if the BAC is 0.02% or higher, there is no need for any more evidence to charge the underage driver.
First-time, underage DUI offenders who are convicted will have to go to jail in a range between two days and six months. Also, their driver's license will be suspended for one year. They will have to pay a fine between $500 and $5,000.
Depending on the if anyone was injured and if this was the underage driver's first DUI offense, he may be able to apply for the ARD program. This could expunge the arrest from his/her record. A Pennsylvania DUI attorney is well versed in the rights of underage drivers.
Related Resources:
- Pennsylvania DUI Law: Zero Tolerance (FindLaw)
- College Students And Pennsylvania Criminal Charges (FindLaw)
- What To Expect From A DUI Arrest (FindLaw)
- Pennsylvania DUI Attorney Directory (FindLaw)
ShareThis
