Minor DUI Penalties
In Washington State, it is a misdemeanor crime (RCW 46.61.503) for a person under the age of 21 to drive with a blood alcohol concentration of .02 or with any amount of THC. An underage person arrested for DUI (Minor DUI) will also face a license suspension with the WA Department of Licensing.
Underage DUI penalties can include:
- Up to 90 days of jail
- Up to $1000 fine
- Electronic home monitoring (EHM)
- Probation
- Alcohol or drug treatment
License Suspension Hearing
Once an arrest has been made, the arresting agency will notify the Washington State Department of Licensing, and the suspension process will begin. You have 7 days to request a license suspension hearing. If the hearing is not requested before this deadline, you lose the right to contest the suspension.
At this hearing, your DUI attorney will fight to prevent your driver’s license from being suspended. To prevent a suspension, you must win this DOL hearing and avoid a conviction in the DUI criminal case.
How long can I lose my driver’s license?
If a juvenile has an instruction permit or intermediate driver’s license (license status for drivers under the age of 18), an arrest or conviction for Minor DUI could affect their ability to obtain a standard license in the future. An arrest can also result in a suspension of driving privileges and a requirement of SR 22 insurance (high risk auto insurance).
If a juvenile is convicted of certain drug and alcohol offenses while having an instruction permit (regardless of whether the crime was committed while driving), they will be unable to qualify for a driver’s license until they reach age 18. Intermediate license holders (age 18+) with a Minor DUI conviction face additional restrictions, as well as a license suspension that ranges from 90 days to two years, depending on their criminal history and if they refused a breath or blood test.
How to Prevent a Minor DUI Conviction
If you are arrested for an underage DUI in WA State, it is crucial to hire a lawyer as soon as possible to mitigate or eliminate the criminal and driver’s license consequences. There are important deadlines as soon as 7 days from the arrest date. An attorney can investigate the evidence and circumstances surrounding the arrest and build your defense.
At Beckwith DUI Law, we have a proven track record for defending Minor DUI charges in Pierce County, King County, Kitsap County & Thurston County, Washington. We have office locations in Seattle and Tacoma, and we can be contacted by phone for a free consultation.