What Happens If a Teenager Is Charged With DUI in Fort Lauderdale?
In Florida, a teenager can obtain a learner’s permit to drive as young as age 15, and their driver’s license as young as age 16. The minimum legal age to drink, however, is 21. So what happens when a teenager who has their driver’s license gets arrested on suspicion of drunk driving?
Zero Tolerance for Minors Who Drink and Drive
Many Florida DUI cases are based on the driver’s blood-alcohol level (BAL) at the time of their arrest. In general, a BAL of 0.08 percent or higher is over the legal limit. For most adults, depending on their body weight, this is roughly the equivalent of 3 or 4 alcoholic beverages consumed within a relatively short period of time.
With respect to minors–defined here as anyone under the age of 21–Florida’s DUI laws set a BAL limit of just 0.02 percent. For a teenager, this is usually the equivalent of a single alcoholic drink. So in effect, any amount of alcohol in a teenager driver’s blood is considered too high.
Florida’s “zero tolerance” approach to teenage drinking can therefore have significant consequences for underage drivers. A first BAL test result of 0.02 percent or higher will result in an administrative suspension of a minor’s driver’s license for six months. A second or subsequent DUI will lead to a suspension of one year. Additionally, if a teenage driver had a BAL of 0.05 percent or higher, they must complete a substance abuse evaluation and course before applying for reinstatement of their driver’s license.
It is important to add that Florida’s “implied consent” rule also applies to teenage drivers. This rule provides that an officer has the right to detain and request a blood or similar chemical test from a driver under the age of 21 when that officer has “probable cause” to suspect DUI. If the teenager driver refuses to submit to testing, their driver’s license will be automatically suspended. This suspension lasts at least 1 year for a first refusal and 18 months for a second or subsequent refusal.
Finally, any driver, regardless of age, who has a BAL of 0.08 percent or higher faces the same potential criminal penalties. For a first offense, this includes the possibility of up to 6 months in jail, community service, and a fine of up to $1,000. These penalties are on top of any required driver’s license suspension.
Contact a Fort Lauderdale DUI Attorney Today
Even for a relatively new driver, the impact of a DUI conviction can be devastating. In addition to the potential criminal penalties, the loss of a teenager’s driver’s license can make it impossible for them to hold down a job or attend school. That is why if your teenager is facing such charges, it is important to work with an experienced Fort Lauderdale DUI lawyer who can handle your case and work to obtain the best possible outcome. Call Haber | Blank LLP today at 954-767-0300 to schedule a consultation.
