Drunk driving is one of the leading cause of accidents. However, unlike speeding or running red lights, drunk driving must be treated differently when the driver is under the legal drinking age. If you would like to better protect your child, check out what to expect if your child is pulled over for a DUI.

They Will Most Likely Be Arrested

In most states, including Oklahoma, the legal drinking age is 21. At the same time, even if you are 21 or older, it's illegal to drive with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.08 percent or higher. However, if you are under the age of 21, you may be arrested for drunk driving if you have a BAC of 0.02 percent or more.

Oklahoma, however, is one of a handful of states that follows zero tolerance laws. Therefore, if your child is pulled over, and they have a BAC of anything above 0.00 percent, they can be arrested for driving while under the influence, and they may also be charged with underage drinking.

They May Face Fines and Community Service

In many cases, if your child is arrested for drunk driving, they will be charged with DUI under 21, which requires no jail time. Instead, your child will face fines and community service. If it's your child's first DUI offense, they may have to pay between $100 and $1,000 and participate in 20 hours of community service.

For a second offense, the fine is the same, but this time, your child may face 240 hours of community service. If your child is arrested for a third DUI, they may have to pay up to $2,000 and face 480 hours of community service. 

They Will Need to Attend Treatment

Alcohol is an addictive substance, and if your child is drinking before the age of 21, there is a higher chance of them developing an addiction or dependency. For this reason, before your child is sentenced, an assessor will evaluate your child's mental health and their relationship with alcohol and drugs.

During sentencing, the judge will use this assessment to determine what type of (if any) treatment your child needs to help them in the future so they don't break the law again. This may involve inpatient treatment to fight addiction, or it may involve education classes to teach about the dangers of drinking and drunk driving. If your child refuses to attend treatment, it may result in jail time.

They Could Lose Their License for Years

Regardless of age, if you are convicted for drunk driving, your license will be suspended for a specific amount of time. For underage drunk drivers, they may lose their license for six months for a first offense and a year for a second offense.

If they get arrested and convicted a third time, the courts may insist on suspending the license for three years or until your child turns 21. Depending on your family situation, however, your child may qualify for a modified license. For example, if they can't get to school without driving themselves, the courts may allow them to drive to and from school.

They May Face Punishment From School

Having a DUI on your record can affect many parts of your life, including your ability to get affordable car insurance. However, if your child is in college at the time of the DUI, they may face additional charges that can affect them for life.

If it's your child's first offense, and they haven't gotten into trouble at school yet, they may only face small disciplinary actions or extra community service. However, if your child has several DUIs or a history of other issues at the school, they may actually be expelled.

Regardless of age, driving while under the influence comes with consequences. When the driver is under the age of 21, however, it can affect them for life, especially if they get expelled from college. If you need help with your child's DUI case, contact us at the Kanehl Law Firm PLLC today.