Snohomish County Underage DUI Attorney

Defending Against Underage DUI Charges in Washington

Anyone under the age of 21 but over 18 can be charged with underage DUI—sometimes called a "minor DUI"—if their blood alcohol content (BAC) measures above 0.02% but below 0.08%. The term “minor DUI” is misleading, however, because the state typically charges underage individuals as adults.

Because the law forbids people under 21 from drinking alcohol in the first place, the BAC threshold for underage DUI is much lower. However, if an underage drinker’s BAC level is 0.08% or greater, they can be charged with a standard DUI and face mandatory jail time and substantial fines. They will also likely be required to undergo chemical dependency evaluation by a state agency and may be mandated to receive alcohol counseling.

When someone is arrested for an underage DUI in Snohomish County, their driver’s license is at risk for an automatic 90-day suspension. An administrative hearing must then be scheduled wherein a final determination will be made regarding the suspension of the defendant’s license. If the defendant fails to schedule or attend the hearing, their license will be automatically suspended.

If you’ve been charged with underage DUI, the police have your future in their hands. Take it back—call DUIHeroes at (425) 296-9358. Led by a renowned authority on criminal DUI law, our firm is committed to DUI defense. For you, that means securing the strongest possible chance of getting your future back on track.

If you or a loved one has been arrested for a minor DUI, contact DUIHeroes and speak to a Snohomish County underage DUI lawyer at no cost.

Washington State Underage DUI Penalties

Minor DUI is a misdemeanor offense but can also be charged as a felony if the defendant was involved in a harmful or fatal accident, or they have prior DUI convictions. A conviction in a minor DUI case can also result in significantly increased insurance rates. After a conviction, the driver could face limited job opportunities and exclusion from college financial aid programs.

Other penalties for minor DUI can include:

• Probation
• Jail time
• Fines
• Alcohol evaluation and treatment
• Attendance at a DUI victim’s panel
• Community service
• Driver’s license suspension
• Court-ordered installation of an ignition interlock device

Common Mistakes When Charged with Minor DUI

Facing a minor DUI charge can be daunting, and it's easy to make mistakes that could worsen the situation. One common mistake is failing to take the charge seriously. Many young individuals underestimate the gravity of a minor DUI charge, thinking it will be just a slap on the wrist. Another significant mistake is missing the administrative hearing deadline, which can lead to an automatic license suspension.

Additionally, trying to navigate the legal process alone without professional assistance from a DUI defense lawyer is a frequent misstep. Without a skilled Snohomish County underage DUI attorney, one might accept plea deals that aren't in their best interest or fail to properly challenge the evidence. An attorney can help you fight to protect your future.

Defenses for Underage Individuals Charged with DUI

A seasoned DUI defense lawyer can craft a strategic defense to challenge minor DUI charges effectively. 

Here are some potential defenses:

• Incorrect Field Sobriety Tests: The results of field sobriety tests can be influenced by various external factors. A knowledgeable lawyer can argue that these tests were improperly administered or affected by environmental conditions, such as uneven terrain or poor weather.
• Questioning Breathalyzer Accuracy: Breathalyzers, though considered reliable, can still produce faulty readings. Issues such as calibration errors or the presence of certain substances in the individual’s mouth can skew results. A DUI attorney can demand maintenance records of the device or argue for alternate explanations for elevated BAC levels.
• Unlawful Traffic Stops: A defense may center around the legality of the traffic stop itself. If law enforcement lacked probable cause to initiate the stop, all subsequent evidence could be deemed inadmissible in court.
• Challenging BAC Measurements: At times, blood alcohol content testing procedures may not have been followed correctly. A skilled attorney can scrutinize the handling of samples, timing of the test, and chain of custody to ensure no procedural errors occurred.
• Violation of Legal Rights: If law enforcement officials failed to inform the defendant of their rights properly or conducted unlawful searches, a defense could argue for the suppression of incriminating evidence.

In all these scenarios, engaging a knowledgeable DUI defense lawyer ensures that the defendant’s rights are protected and the defense is thoroughly investigated and robustly presented in court. An attorney will navigate complex legal proceedings, negotiate plea deals, and, if necessary, represent their client in trial to achieve the best possible outcome.

Contact Our Snohomish County Underage DUI Lawyers Today

DUIHeroes has successfully addressed numerous minor DUI charges on behalf of our clients. Our firm meticulously investigates every case for police procedure violations that can reduce or dismiss your charges. In fact, our firm has an average 95% success rate* when it comes to getting first offenses dismissed or reduced. You can count on our team to aggressively protect your future by exhausting every possible defense strategy on the table.

Reach out at (425) 296-9358 if you or a loved one has been charged with underage DUI to learn about your defense options. Our Snohomish County underage DUI attorneys are available 24/7.

Commonly Asked Questions