Minor DUI

Underage drinking is a major point of emphasis throughout Thurston County. Being arrested for drunk driving as a minor is always a nightmare. It means going to court. It often means a license suspension. Additionally, having a permanent criminal conviction at such a young age can severely limit your employment opportunities. And, it can even lead to jail. Fortunately, you don't have to face the state alone. Our Olympia Minor DUI attorneys and experienced and aggressive advocates.

Washington State's underage drinking and driving statutes are complicated and can be confusing. For example, were you aware that a person under 21 years of age can be charged with an "adult" DUI if their blood alcohol content (BAC) measures just .02 or higher, or if they have any amount of marijuana or "THC" in their system? It's true, if the state can show actual impairment while operating a motor vehicle.

More often, however, teenagers caught driving with BAC above .02 but below .08 are charged with what is commonly referred to as a "Minor DUI". The same is true if they are found to be driving with any detectable amount of marijuana in their system. But, make no mistake about it. A Minor DUI is still a very serious criminal offense that can have far reaching consequences.

Many of our underage clients are surprised to find out about Washington's minor drinking and driving laws, often when it's too late. Additionally, the criminal penalties and other consequences associated with your Olympia minor DUI criminal charge can be even more difficult to understand depending on the specific facts of your case and how skillfully your case is challenged.

Not only are there are discretionary penalties that could cause a person to serve up to 90 days in jail and pay $1,000 in fines, an Olympia minor DUI conviction will also likely result in a mandatory 90-day driver’s license suspension under Washington State's implied consent law. This process is separate and distinct from the criminal process you face following arrest.

Importantly, you only have 7 days from your date of arrest to properly challenge this administrative suspension by the Washington State Department of Licensing. If you fail to do so, your driving privileges will almost certainly be suspended for a minimum of 90 days. And, when your driver's license is reinstated, you will be required to carry SR-22 (high risk) auto insurance for three years. If you think that your insurance rates are high now, wait to you have to pay an SR-22 policy premium.

All of which is bad enough, but the worst part of a minor DUI conviction is acquiring a criminal record. You might be tempted to believe that future landlords, creditors, and employers will view a minor DUI as a youthful mistake, but the reality is that a criminal record can haunt a person for many years into their future, if not for the rest of their life.

This makes sense when you consider that there is more competition in the workforce than ever before, and it's already hard for a young person to find a lucrative job when they're just starting out. In today's job market, employers routinely conduct background searches on job applicants via the internet. What do you think will happen when they see a criminal conviction for a minor DUI on an applicant's record?

The answer is obvious, and it highlights how important it is to fight a minor DUI charge with every legal tool available. Our Olympia underage DUI lawyers understand what is at stake for you now and for your future. We will fight and do everything legally possible to try and prevent you from having a permanent criminal conviction on your record.

Indeed, a minor DUI can keep rearing its ugly head throughout a person's life - which hardly seems fair if it was all because of one youthful error in judgment. Our Olympia minor DUI attorneys consider these cases to be some of the most important that we take, because we recognize there is far more at stake than first meets the eye.

At our Olympia legal services offices, we truly believe that every Thurston County Minor DUI case can be attacked on some level. Much will depend on the police reports and other important facts, but we take a detailed and thorough approach to every criminal case, and especially our DUI cases. We also often employ independent scientific and law enforcement experts to assist us. Our commitment to you is that we will leave no stone unturned when it comes to our investigation.

If you have recently been arrested on Minor DUI charge alleging alcohol or marijuana consumption, it's absolutely critical that you consult with an experienced Olympia criminal attorney at your earliest available convenience. This is because your DUI Washington State Department of Licensing Hearing is rapidly approaching and other critical evidence in your case might be lost or even destroyed if it's not properly preserved immediately.

Don’t waste any time – contact one of our Olympia Minor DUI attorneys today so that they can get started working on an aggressive defense strategy on your behalf. Our Olympia minor DUI lawyers are often contacted by young people that are entering the workforce for the first time, who are suddenly realizing the gravity of a minor DUI conviction. Don't let this be you.

Because they previously plead guilty to this charge without realizing the possible repercussions, they are suddenly given a clearer picture of how damaging a conviction really is when they come to the realization that they are not being called back for any additional interviews following a criminal background check.

Once you plead guilty to a minor DUI, there is little that can be done by any lawyer to remove this blemish from your criminal record, except, possibly years down the road through some type of expungement action. So, don’t make this same critical mistake.

Our Olympia Minor DUI attorneys understand how important these sensitive cases can be to young people and their families. Our role as counselors is to do everything legally possible to prevent you from obtaining a permanent criminal record, while aggressively fighting to keep you validly licensed to drive in the state of Washington.

Don’t let one drink of alcohol or bong hit derail your life as it's just getting started - don't let one mistake cause irreparable damage to your future. Let us help you to understand why every DUI case is fightable, at least on some level. Put our decades of criminal defense experience to work for you. Contact one of our Olympia minor DUI lawyers today for a free case evaluation, and they will provide you with more information without any risk or obligation.

Our attorneys will help you better understand your charges and begin outlining a cohesive and comprehensive plan for a viable defense. if you retain a member of our legal team, they will use their intimate knowledge of the law to look for possible issues with your case in the hopes that the charges will be reduced or even dismissed.

While there are never any guarantees when it comes to a DUI case, the stakes are high, so you should make sure your legal rights are being recognized and protected. We offer affordable rates and budget-conscious payment plans that make it possible for you to have professional representation from an experienced attorney.