Reader’s Question:

My teenage son was charged with DUI here in Texas. He seems to be becoming more and more of a problem to us because he has been charged with DUI twice before. But still, we want to help him as much as we could. I just want to know, what are the penalties involved for DUI by a minor?

Bill

Amarillo, TX

In the state of Texas, DUI is a crime with which a minor (under 21 years of age) who has consumed any amount of alcohol is charged. Regardless of what the minor’s blood alcohol content (BAC) when he or she is pulled over by a police officer, if the motorist is under 21, he or she will be charged for DUI.

This is not to say that a minor cannot receive the more serious charge of DWI, but is merely to say that there are more crimes available to an individual that is not yet 21 concerning drinking and driving. Fortunately, a DUI is actually not as serious of a crime as a DWI. The crime is just a reflection of Texas State’s Zero Tolerance policy for minors and alcohol.

Since this is already his third DUI offense, if it is shown at the trial of your son that he is a minor who is not a child and who has been previously convicted at least twice for DUI, he would have a fine of not less than $ 500 or more than $ 2,000; or confinement in jail for a term not to exceed 180 days; or both the fine and confinement.

Tags: DUI, DUI lawyer