Young adults often want to experience the world for themselves. Parents want to give them their freedom, but rules are still very important for teens. Their emotional maturity and brain development may prevent them from making the best choices.
Young people have a hard time thinking about long-term consequences, and the choices they make on a whim can potentially affect their lives for years to come. For example, deciding to have some drinks while out with friends at a party could potentially lead to an arrest. Texas has a Zero-Tolerance law for young adults and alcohol while driving.
What does that policy potentially mean for a young adult coming home from a party?
Being drunk isn’t necessary to get arrested
Contrary to what many young adults often think, they don’t need to be seriously inebriated to face drunk driving charges. All that the state requires to charge them with a crime or suspend their driving privileges is proof of any detectable amount of alcohol in their bloodstream.
Either refusing a chemical breath test or performing a test that returns any amount of alcohol could lead to licensing penalties. A first offense can lead to a 60-day license suspension, while a second breath test showing any amount of alcohol could lead to 120 days in jail.
A driving under the influence (DUI) charge could lead to $500 in fines, between 20 and 40 hours of community service and a 60-day license suspension. If the state charges a minor with an adult driving while intoxicated (DWI) offense, the penalties could include up to $2,000 in fines, confinement for between 72 hours and 180 days and up to a year-long license suspension.
Prosecutors can also bring impaired driving charges against the young driver. DUI charges are typical in cases where someone’s blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is below the legal limit, but those actually over the adult limit of 0.08% could face adult DWI charges.
A youthful drunk driving infraction could affect a young adult’s education and their opportunities when looking for work. Helping a young adult fight back against DUI or DWI charges could help them learn from a mistake and make better decisions in the future.
