Juvenile DUI penalties are meant to be more rehabilitative than punitive, but they can still make it difficult to move on with normal life and leave the conviction behind as an adult. Here’s what you may expect following a juvenile DUI.

Potential Juvenile DUI Defenses

Following a charge, a skilled Bucks County drunk driving lawyer can help prevent or reduce the penalties for a juvenile DUI conviction. There are several possible defenses one could use in such a case, including:

  • You were never driving. According to PA law, you can only receive a DUI if you were operating a vehicle at the time you were pulled over.
  • The arresting officer made a mistake and broke protocol. In such scenarios, the courts may rule any evidence from the arrest “inadmissible” in court, resulting in a dropped case.
  • The evidence against you is not credible. This is a difficult strategy to take and may only work if you possess hard evidence that contradicts that of the arresting officer.

The Consequences for Juvenile DUI in PA

According to PA Statutes Title 75, Section 3802, those under 21 convicted of a DUI in the State of Pennsylvania will face minimum penalties of a $500 fine and driver’s license suspension, in addition to court costs. The standard penalties are arranged as follows:

  • For a 1st-time offense, the minor will lose his or her license for 90 days.
  • For a 2nd offense, one year.
  • For a 3rd and subsequent offenses, two years.

If the minor did not have a valid driver’s license at the time of conviction, he/she will not be able to apply for one until the end of the terms of the suspension.

Maximum penalties for a juvenile DUI increase to two days in jail, fines up to $5,000, loss of driver’s license, treatment programs, and requisite participation in an alcohol safety school. In addition, under Pennsylvania’s Zero Tolerance laws, a juvenile driver only has to have a blood alcohol content level of 0.02% or higher to receive a DUI.

For a DUI defense attorney with proven results, call Keith J. Williams today at 215-340-1134 for the Bucks County DUI attorney you need.