Many high school and college students – who are not yet 21 years old – throughout the United States engage in underage drinking from time to time. However, minors who consume alcohol, become intoxicated, and then get behind the wheel may get involved in serious and fatal accidents, which is why states around the country have harsh underage DUI laws.
In Nevada, it is against the law for drivers under 21 to drive within the state with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of at least .02 percent. For drivers who are 21 years of age or older, the legal limit is .08 percent.
If an underage driver is arrested for drunk driving, he/she must submit to an alcohol and drug evaluation to figure out if they have substance abuse issues. The evaluation typically amounts to $100.
If a driver is under 18 years of age, he/she will face charges in juvenile court. A conviction (or getting adjudicated delinquent) in juvenile court for a first DUI offense is punishable by fines, community service, educational courses, and a suspended juvenile hall sentence (if the defendant completes the terms of their sentence.
If a driver is at least 18 years old, then he/she will face charges in criminal court. A conviction carries fines of up to $1,000, driver’s license revocation for up to 185 days, DUI school, and a maximum jail sentence of six months.
If you or your child has recently been arrested for a DUI in Las Vegas, look no further than The Draskovich Law Group to guide you through the complexities of the legal system and help you and your family obtain the best possible result in the courtroom. With more than two decades of experience, our award-winning legal team has helped many clients facing a wide range of DUI cases either get their entire case dismissed or their charges/penalties reduced to avoid serving any time behind bars.
For more information about underage DUI in Las Vegas, contact The Draskovich Law Group today at (702) 381-6590 and schedule a free consultation.