Underage DUI

Under the Use it & Lose it zero tolerance law, 2,187 Illinois drivers under the age of 21 lost their driving privileges in 2008, according to the Illinois Secretary of State.

The legal minimum drinking age in Illinois is 21, and drunk driving accidents among young people in Carbondale and throughout Illinois continue to contribute to Illinois’ fatality totals.

Zero tolerance refers to the allowable BAC level for Illinois drivers under 21—0.00 percent. Meant to deter drinking and reduce DUI in Carbondale and elsewhere, suspension under this law results from any trace of alcohol in the blood or refusal to submit to chemical testing.

If you are the parent of a minor driver arrested for DUI in Carbondale, or if you were the minor arrested, the charges are serious and require immediate representation by an attorney skilled with DUI charges in Carbondale. Patchett Law Office's DUI attorneys in Marion have a significant, solid track record handling charges related to drunk driving accidents and underage DUI.

Attorneys handling DUI charges in Carbondale

While more than 2,000 underage drivers lost their driving privileges in 2008, more than 4,000 were arrested and received driving suspensions that same year. Penalties for drunk driving under the age of 21 in which a DUI law firm would be needed for help include the following:

First DUI arrest: Driving privileges are suspended for three months with an automatic suspension of six months for refusal of chemical testing. A conviction results in a minimum license revocation of two years.
Second DUI arrest: Driving privileges are suspended for one year, or two years for refusal of chemical testing. A second DUI conviction results in a five-year suspension or until age 21.
Third DUI arrest: A third DUI conviction is a felony resulting in a minimum ten-year license revocation, among other penalties.
Fourth DUI arrest: A fourth DUI conviction results in a lifetime revocation, among other penalties.

Contacting a Marion drunk driving attorney experienced with handling drunk driving charges in Carbondale is essential to avoid long-term limitations of underage DUI, including the following:

Imprisonment, fines, community service, and mandatory participation in counseling programs
Installation of a Breath Alcohol Ignition Interlock Device (BAIID)
Issuance of a Monitoring Device Driving Permit (MDDP)
Limited educational, living, and employment opportunities
Limited travel or immigration opportunities

Drinking and driving at any age is trouble. A good lawyer in Carbondale can build a successful defense against DUI to get you back on the road—and trouble-free.

Get help with your underage dui arrest in Carbondale

The attorneys at Patchett Law Offices have decades of experience with DUI charges in Carbondale. If you had a drunk driving accident or are a minor charged with DUI, our lawyers can help. Contact Patchett Law Office to set up a free consultation.