Under 21 and Charged with DUI in Columbus, Georgia: What Now?

The legal drinking age in Georgia is 21. If you are caught driving with any alcohol in your system under the legal drinking age, then you can certainly face a DUI charge. Contact Moffitt Law, LLC, to speak with an experienced Columbus, Georgia, DUI lawyer. An arrest is not the end of the process—far from it. Backed up by years of experience, we can review the evidence and try to obtain a favorable disposition in this matter.

Reach out to schedule your consultation with our office. The sooner you secure legal counsel, the more we can help with your case.

What is DUI Under 21 in Georgia?

Motorists can face underage DUI charges if they are operating a motor vehicle and they:

• Are under the influence of drugs or alcohol to such a degree that it’s less safe to drive, or
• Their blood alcohol content (BAC) is 0.02 or higher.

A DUI is a misdemeanor offense, but still serious. A first-time offender faces:

• Fines ranging from $300 to $2,000
• At least 10 days in prison but no more than 1 year (A judge can suspend some or all of this time)
• Probation
• Community service
• Completion of a clinical evaluation and an alcohol or drug program

A third or subsequent conviction is considered a “high and aggravated misdemeanor” for drivers under 21.

Call Moffitt Law for help weighing your legal options. For example, you might benefit most from a negotiated plea deal or, if the evidence is weak, fighting for an acquittal.

Georgia Blood Alcohol Limit Under 21

The BAC is lower for someone under 21 and for good reason—you should not be consuming any alcohol given your age. Although adults over the age of 21 will be intoxicated if their BAC is 0.08 or higher, the legal limit for someone under 21 is only 0.02.

That is incredibly low. Even one drink is enough to put someone over the limit and result in a conviction for DUI. Some people had a beer or two and then, an hour later, got into a car and inserted the key. When the officer pulls them over, their BAC is over this limit, and they are on the path to getting a DUI conviction.

There is no safe amount of alcohol for an underage driver to consume. It is best to take an Uber or ask a friend for a ride if you intend to drink while out.

What Happens if You Get a DUI Under 21

It is unlikely you will face the maximum penalties, given your age. Unless you already have an extensive criminal history, the judge will probably suspend the sentence, which means you won’t end up spending a month or more in jail. Instead, the judge might suspend all of the sentence or only require 24 hours in jail.

The big issue for most clients is having their driver’s license suspended. The Georgia Department of Driver Services will impose the following suspension on underage drivers:

• If your BAC was between 0.02 and 0.08, you will get a six-month hard suspension with no work permit.
• If your BAC was higher than 0.08, then your hard suspension is lengthened to 12 months.
• If you refused the chemical test, then you get a 12-month hard suspension.

These suspensions are disastrous for anyone needing to travel to work or school. You might easily end up losing your job, which is hard to replace in this tough economy. Consult Moffitt Law to find out if we can work around these rules.

Lastly, motorists should consider what will happen to their future if they are convicted. You will have a permanent criminal record, which you must disclose when applying for a job or college. Some jobs, such as those in transportation, might be off limits because of a drunk driving arrest or conviction.

There are also immigration considerations when it comes to any crime, including DUIs. Before you can identify the best way to move forward with your case, you need to fully understand all the consequences a conviction can set into motion.

Your Trusted Columbus DUI Lawyer

Each DUI case is unique, and this is true of cases involving defendants under the age of 21. You will get the most out of your criminal defense attorney if you contact them quickly to schedule a confidential consultation. At Moffitt Law, LLC, we have defended people from all backgrounds against DUI charges, and we can provide more tailored information in a meeting. Contact us today!