DUI Videos: Under 21 DUI charge

The rules are different if you’re under twenty one. The rules are the same for you in court, but as far as court is concerned, the prosecutor still must prove that you are over .08 or impaired to drive beyond a reasonable doubt, just as they do for an adult.

However, the DMV has a zero tolerance policy if you are under the age of twenty one, which means that even a .01 blood or breath alcohol level, could theoretically cause you to lose your license. In addition, the period of suspension is longer. It’s a one year period of suspension if you’re arrested for a DUI under the age of twenty one.

Very hard to convince the DMV to allow you to drive during that period but it is possible. Legally, you can apply for something called a Critical Need License, emphasis on the work critical, if you must drive for work, if you must drive for school or other legitimate reasons. There’s a process to apply for that, that does involve submitting evidence to the DMV of your need to drive. You do need a lawyer to go through that process if you’re going to have any chance of driving, having been arrested under the age of twenty one.


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If you have been charged with a DUI in Los Angeles, please contact a Los Angeles DUI Lawyer at Gold & Witham today!