Sacramento Under 21 DUI Lawyer

Under 21 DUI Attorney in Sacramento, CA

California takes DUIs seriously at any age, but if you’re under the legal drinking age of 21, you can face serious penalties for driving under the influence. Contacting a skilled Sacramento under-21 DUI lawyer can improve your situation by giving you access to a legal team that offers advice, helps you with paperwork and deadlines, and provides representation during hearings or at court.

Trust the Law Office of Conor Bell

The team here at the Law Office of Conor Bell has been practicing DUI law for years, and in that time, we’ve seen many under-21 DUI cases. We know what it takes to get charges dropped, and if that’s not possible, we can help you minimize the impact of a conviction on your life by arguing for a reduction or negotiating a suitable plea bargain. You can trust us to provide an aggressive defense against your under-21 DUI charges.

Why Hire an Under-21 DUI Lawyer?

According to the 2024 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 32.9% of people ages 12 to 20 reported having had at least one drink in their lives, and 27% admitted to drinking within the past year. In California, under-21 drinking led to 137 fatalities in 2022 alone, accounting for 31.7% of all DUI fatalities in the state.

Given the prevalence of underage drinking and the strictness of California under-21 DUI laws, it should come as no surprise that so many teenagers and young adults get charged with this serious crime. If you’ve found yourself in that position, you should hire an under-21 DUI lawyer right away. An experienced DUI lawyer can help you minimize the impact of your charges on your life by fighting to have them dropped or, if that’s impossible, reduced to a lesser charge.

California’s Zero-Tolerance Law

California Vehicle Code 23136 stipulates that anyone under 21 who has a BAC of 0.01% or higher will be considered to be driving under the influence. That’s much stricter than the 0.08% that applies to adults, although the penalties are less serious for underage drinkers caught driving with a BAC of under 0.08%, as well. You’ll face a mandatory one-year suspension of your driver’s license.

California’s Underage DUI Law

If you’re caught driving with a BAC of 0.05% or above, a different law, Vehicle Code 23140, applies. It stipulates that driving a vehicle with a BAC of 0.05% under 21 is an infraction that can be punished by a mandatory one-year license suspension, a fine of $100, and a mandatory alcohol education program of three months or longer for drivers over the age of 18.

Adult Laws That Apply to Under-21 Drivers

If you’re caught driving with a BAC of 0.08% or above, you are subject to the same laws that apply to adults, including Vehicle Code 23152 and Vehicle Code 23153, which can result in criminal penalties in addition to the mandatory driver’s license suspension. An under-21 DUI attorney may be able to help you get these charges reduced.

The criminal penalties for a DUI vary based on whether it’s your first offense, if anyone was hurt, and how high your BAC was. The standard penalty for an adult DUI includes:

• Driver’s license suspension
• Up to six months of jail time
• 3-5 years of misdemeanor probation
• A fine of up to $1,000
• A mandatory alcohol education program

If you caused an injury or death, you could face felony DUI charges. The penalties for injuring a person while committing a DUI include:

• 2-4 years in prison
• Up to $5,000 in fines
• Alcohol education
• A five-year license revocation

Speak with a Sacramento, CA DWI attorney immediately if your DUI caused injuries.

FAQs

What Happens if You Get a DUI Under 21 in CA?

If you get a DUI under 21 in CA, you could face criminal charges with serious repercussions. First-time offenders can spend up to one year in jail and pay fines of up to $1,000 in addition to completing mandatory alcohol education and a one-year license suspension period. A higher blood alcohol content or multiple offenses can leave you facing even steeper consequences.

How Much Does a DUI Lawyer Cost in California?

The cost of a DUI lawyer in California varies based on factors like the complexity of your case and your legal team’s level of experience. If your case is straightforward and gets dropped almost immediately, your legal fees will not be as high as they will be if your case is complicated, needs to go to trial, or requires the help of expert witnesses.

How Do You Get Your License Back After a DUI in California Under 21?

You get your license back after a DUI in California under 21 by first waiting for the required suspension period and then paying three fees. You can expect to pay a $55 reissue fee, a $125 admin per-se reissue fee, and a $15 DMV admin fee. Once you’ve completed the license suspension period and paid your fines, you can get your license back. Speak with a lawyer if you need a license sooner to get to work or to school.

Is It Worth Getting a Lawyer for a DUI in California?

It is worth getting a lawyer for a DUI in California. California takes DUIs very seriously. If you get convicted, you could face jail time, steep fines, a license suspension, and other penalties. Having a lawyer on your side minimizes the chances that you’ll be convicted, and if a conviction is inevitable, it improves your chances of getting the charges reduced so that you can keep your license.

Contact Your Sacramento Under-21 DUI Lawyer Today

If you’re facing charges for drinking and driving under the age of 21, you need a Sacramento under-21 DUI lawyer you can trust to do everything possible to get the charges dropped or minimize their impact on your life. The Law Office of Conor Bell can help. We have a deep understanding of Sacramento under-21 DUI laws and how to use them to improve your legal situation. Contact us to schedule an initial consultation today.