Even though you have talked to your teen about the dangers of drinking and driving, some teens may make bad choices and end up with a DUI arrest. While some tough love is in order for a teenager charged with DUI, the consequences of a DUI conviction may overly burden a young person in their college and professional life for years to come. You may need to act and hire an attorney for your child in order to protect their future from the consequences of this devastating mistake.

Teenage DUI charges come with a particularly expensive and burdensome group of consequences. Some parents are shocked to learn that even a first DUI conviction may involve a small amount of jail time for a teen driver, and a repeat DUI may involve incarceration for 30 days. The possibility of incarceration is sobering, but a DUI conviction also means the loss of driving privileges, a hefty fine, and the need to give up school activities to accommodate community service obligations.

Penalties for Teenage DUI

For a 1^st offense, a teenage driver will face:

• Potential jail time of up to 48 hours.
• A fine of up to $5,000.00.
• Loss of driving privileges for 1 year.
• Up to 150 hours of community service.

For a 2^nd offense, a teenage driver will face:

• Jail for up to 30 days.
• A fine of up to $5,000.00.
• Mandatory alcohol treatment possible.
• Up to 150 hours of community service.

Consequences for College or Future Life

Many teens will need to disclose their criminal convictions when applying to a college, for student aid or scholarships, or when attempting to play a sport in college. A criminal charge can present a roadblock to acceptance to the right college or to a career in college athletics. A drug or alcohol conviction may present a problem for a teen wishing to serve in the armed forces after high school. A teenage DUI conviction may force a young person to disclose behavior they regret for years into their future lives.

Car Insurance Cancellation/Increase in Premiums

Parents may be shocked when they receive a “scarlet letter” canceling their family car insurance policy after a teen on that policy has a DUI conviction. Even if the policy is not canceled, the premiums for insuring a teen driver with a DUI conviction will increase. Teenagers with DUI convictions will see their car insurance rates spike around 50%. The average teenage driver will pay more than $5,000.00 in increased premiums as a result of a DUI conviction. That is not the cost of a DUI overall – simply the increase in car insurance.

LLF Law Firm Can Help

At the LLF Law Firm, we understand the immense impact that a DUI conviction may have on a young driver. We can build an effective defense strategy in order to protect your child and secure the best outcome possible. If you or a loved one is facing DUI charges, contact the LLF Law Firm at 888-535-3686, or submit your details online, and we will contact you.