Understanding first-time license suspension for driving under the influence of alcohol as a minor

One of the main causes of traffic accidents is drunk drivers or drivers under the influence of drugs or other narcotic substances. For this reason, it is mandatory that alcohol advertisements indicate that one should not drive under the influence of alcohol.

DUI, which stands for Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol, is a serious crime anywhere in the country. However, the consequences differ from state to state. In fact, the definition of this term also has slight differences in interpretation in different states.

In Tennessee, for example, the law covering DUI is quite broad. This law makes it illegal for any person to physically control or drive a car or any type of vehicle. under the influence of any intoxicating substance, whether on a highway, public road, alley or street.

Other places covered by this law include mobile home parks, shopping malls, apartment buildings and any place where people may gather on a regular basis.

A person is said to be intoxicated when he or she is under the influence of narcotics, marijuana, or any drug or medication that stimulates the central nervous system. Another condition that is considered a drink driving offense is if a person’s blood alcohol concentration is over 0.08%.

In this article, we will explain how to handle a DUI case, especially one involving the suspension of an underage driver’s license.

Understanding DUI in Tennessee

Tennessee DUI law strictly prohibits drivers under the age of 21 from operating or handling any type of car or vehicle with even the slightest amount of alcohol in their blood. We mentioned earlier that the alcohol limit for a driver in Tennessee is 0.08%. That is the general rule for legal adults who are allowed to drink in public.

However, people under the age of 21 have a stricter restriction, which is a blood alcohol level of 0.02% or higher. This means that no person under the age of 21 is expected to have alcohol in their system while driving or operating any type of automobile.

If a person (considered a minor) is convicted, they risk automatically losing their driving privilege for one year without being eligible for a restricted license.

There are many other violations and consequences related to drunk driving that every driver in the state of Tennessee should be aware of. These specifics may only apply to Tennessee, so you will need to find out the specifics of this law in your own state of residence. You can visit this site for a complete list of violations and consequences.

Tips for handling an underage DUI in Franklin, Tennessee

Sometimes, a driver’s license can be suspended on the spot for drunk driving; in that case, the driver has no choice but to go through the legal process of reinstatement. However, in other cases, the driver would have to go through a trial and then, if convicted, his or her license would be suspended.

In some cases, additional fines ranging from $250 to $1,500 are also imposed, depending on the age and level of intoxication or damage caused. In addition, community service sentences may also be imposed on the offending driver.

If you are lucky enough to be in the category of drivers who did not have their license suspended immediately, there are a few ways to successfully circumvent the charges, and they are as follows:

1. Challenge the reason you were stopped in the first place. This means that the law enforcement officer must prove that there was probable cause to have stopped you in the first place. If you cannot prove that there was sufficient reason to have stopped you, the prosecution’s argument can be significantly weakened.
2. Questioning the field sobriety test. It can be argued that these tests were affected by physical factors or environmental conditions and therefore were not accurate.
3. Contact a lawyer.

Benefits of Legal Representation in a DUI Case

As much as you can put into practice the first two tips we shared above, you will find it discouraging not to have legal representation. It is in your best interest to hire an attorney, and the benefits are detailed below:

1. Personalized legal advice specific to your case.
2. A thorough investigation of the facts leading to the arrest.
3. Questioning any procedural irregularity or evidence.
4. Defense and negotiation on your behalf before the Prosecutor’s Office.
5. Legal representation in the event of legal proceedings.

Conclusion

While it is best not to get involved in a drunk driving case, there can be circumstances that cause a person to get involved in one (click here for tips on how to prevent drunk driving). When this happens, it is recommended that you contact an attorney, and we have already listed the benefits of doing so.

Make sure you hire a lawyer or law firm that operates in the same state where the incident occurred. This is due to variations in drunk driving laws across states and regions. Getting away with a lighter sentence may depend on your legal representation, so don’t joke around about it.