Atlanta Underage DUI Attorney

What is Georgia's “Zero Tolerance” Law?

In the state of Georgia, it is illegal for a minor under the age of 21 to operate a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol. Although the state's underage drinking laws are more lenient than others—since a minor can lawfully consume alcohol in their own home with their parents' consent—lawmakers have taken a steadfast, "zero tolerance" approach to underage drinking and driving.

For this reason, a minor could face serious legal penalties if it is discovered that they have been driving with a blood-alcohol concentration (BAC) or .02% or greater. If the individual's BAC is greater than .08% or they have been charged with a secondary offense, they could face even stiffer consequences. For this reason, the legal team at the Law Office of Matthew T. McNally encourages you to discuss your case with our Atlanta DUI lawyer if you are facing similar charges.

What are the penalties for an underage DUI conviction in Atlanta, GA?

Although the underage DUI laws in Georgia are not as strict as those upheld in other parts of the U.S., the penalties that one could face if they are convicted are still quite serious. In fact, a minor could be sentenced to a minimum of 10 days imprisonment for a first offense—although the judge will typically reduce the term to an absolute minimum of 24 hours. For this reason, you should not hesitate to enlist the help of a qualified legal professional if you, as an individual under the age of 21, have been accused of driving with a BAC of .02% or greater. You could be facing the following penalties:

First DUI Offense (BAC .02%–.08%)

First DUI Offense (BAC .08% & above)

Second DUI Offense (BAC .02% & above)

Third DUI Offense (BAC .02% & above)

Although these are the standard penalties associated with underage DUI in Georgia, it is important to understand that you could be sentenced to a much longer term of imprisonment. Since a third or subsequent DUI arrest would be considered a "high and aggravated misdemeanor offense," it is possible that you could face up to 12 months in jail. For this reason, you should not assume that you will be granted leniency simply because you are a minor. Having a criminal conviction on your record could lead to long-lasting ramifications, so it is highly recommended that you take these charges seriously.