In Delaware County, PA, drivers under 21 are held to a higher standard regarding driving under the influence (DUI). Under Pennsylvania law, an adult driver can have a blood alcohol content (BAC) below 0.08% and possibly avoid criminal charges. A person can still be charged with drunk driving with a BAC below 0.08% if the evidence indicates the driver was incapable of safely operating a vehicle. However, if you’re under 21, this legal limit drops to 0.02%. Regardless of age, though, a DUI conviction is potentially life-altering.
A Delaware County DUI lawyer from McKenzie Law Firm, P.C., can fight for the best outcome possible in your under-21 DUI case and protect your rights. A charge isn’t a conviction, and you still have time to build your defense. If you need legal guidance during this difficult time, our Delaware County under 21 DUI lawyer can represent you or your loved one. Call today for a free consultation with a member of our legal team.
As a resident of Delaware County, you have the right to legal counsel. A drunk driving defense lawyer can provide you with several services, including:
As your legal team, we prioritize reducing or eliminating your legal penalties. However, we’re also committed to providing you with a seamless and headache-free legal experience. To do so, we can offer you these perks:
If you have further questions about working with a Delaware County under 21 DUI attorney, we can address them during an initial case evaluation. This way, you can better understand the benefits of hiring our firm.
McKenzie Law Firm, P.C., is led by Attorney David McKenzie. Attorney McKenzie has several years of legal experience, first as an Assistant District Attorney (ADA) and then as a private criminal defense lawyer. As an ADA, Attorney McKenzie prosecuted numerous cases, meaning he understands both sides of the courtroom. Now, he leads our firm, lending his years of legal experience to those in need during criminal defense cases.
When you choose our law firm, you benefit from the following:
Our goal is to provide straightforward legal guidance so that you can make informed decisions about your case.
To learn more about working with our lawyer on your Delaware County juvenile DUI case, read our client testimonials:
We appreciate the trust our clients place in us and strive to provide the same level of service in every case.
If you or your child has been charged with an under-21 DUI, it’s generally a good idea to speak with a lawyer as soon as possible. Early legal guidance can help you understand the charges, prepare for upcoming court appearances, and determine whether programs such as Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition (ARD) may be available.
Acting promptly also gives your lawyer more time to review the circumstances of the arrest, gather available evidence, and discuss the legal options that may be appropriate for your case. The sooner you understand your legal rights and responsibilities, the better prepared you’ll be to make informed decisions as your case moves forward.
Under 75 Pa. C.S.A. § 3802(e), Pennsylvania has adopted a zero-tolerance policy for drivers under the age of 21. If you or a loved one is under 21 and had a blood alcohol content of 0.02% or above at the time of arrest, you could be charged with under-21 DUI.
The penalties for a first offense of under-21 DUI may include the following:
These penalties can vary depending on the facts of the case, including your BAC level, prior offenses, refusing field sobriety tests, and other circumstances surrounding the arrest.
Aside from the legal penalties, an underage drinking conviction can also impact your personal life. You may struggle to hold a job amidst court appearances and community service, and your personal life could suffer. It may also affect your educational opportunities, professional licensing, and automobile insurance rates. Depending on your circumstances, a criminal record could create additional challenges when applying for jobs, internships, or certain college programs.
Every case is different, and the long-term effects often depend on the outcome of your case. Understanding your legal options early can help you make informed decisions about how to move forward. DUI convictions are best avoided.
Authorized under 75 Pa. C.S.A. § 3807, the Delaware County ARD program presents an opportunity for some individuals facing first-time DUI charges. The benefits of successfully completing an ARD program may include the following:
Delaware County and other counties throughout Pennsylvania adopted the ARD program to reduce strain on the legal system and quickly rehabilitate first-time offenders. The program does away with the need for a trial, settling DUIs quicker than standard cases.
To complete the ARD program, you typically need to:
These requirements often differ from case to case. If you have questions about qualifying for ARD participation, we can address them during an initial case evaluation.
You cannot participate in the ARD program if any of the following is true about your DUI arrest:
To pursue admission into the ARD program, you must submit the required documentation on time. An under 21 DUI lawyer in Delaware County from our law firm can manage this submission process, keeping you updated on relevant deadlines and required documentation. We can also discuss your options if your ARD application is denied.
During a plea deal, the defendant (the person charged with a crime) pleads guilty to a DUI. At first glance, this may sound counterintuitive. However, in some instances, plea deals can lead to the best outcomes.
These are the pros of entering a plea deal with prosecutors. It could:
Our team understands plea deal negotiations. We can provide legal counsel if you’re currently involved in a plea deal or planning on entering a plea deal. We’re prepared to protect your best interests during sentencing negotiations. We can also explain if a plea deal makes sense for your specific case.
You don’t need to make sense of Delaware County’s legal system alone. Our firm is here to provide you with focus, clarity, and knowledge. Getting charged with a DUI is stressful, but fighting these charges doesn’t need to be.
Whether you are seeking legal guidance for yourself or your child, Attorney McKenzie can explain the charges, answer your questions, and discuss the legal options available in your case. Contact McKenzie Law Firm, P.C. today for an initial case evaluation.
After an arrest, you may receive notice of upcoming court appearances and face decisions about how to respond to the charges. Depending on the circumstances, your defense attorney can review the evidence, discuss available defense strategies, and determine whether diversion programs such as ARD may be an option.
An under-21 DUI conviction may become part of your criminal record. However, some individuals may be eligible for the Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition (ARD) program, which, upon successful completion, may allow them to seek expungement. Whether expungement is available depends on the facts of the case and the applicable law.
Possibly. A blood alcohol content below 0.02% does not automatically prevent DUI charges. Depending on the circumstances, prosecutors may still pursue a DUI charge if the evidence indicates the driver was incapable of safely operating a vehicle. Every case is different, so it’s important to have an attorney review the facts of your arrest and explain your legal options.
A driver’s license suspension is a possible consequence of an under-21 DUI conviction, but the outcome depends on the specific facts of your case. Factors such as your prior driving history, the circumstances of the offense, and the applicable law may affect the penalties you face. An attorney can explain how the charges may impact your driving privileges.
Yes. An under-21 DUI may have consequences that extend beyond fines, license suspension, or other court-imposed penalties. Depending on your circumstances, it could affect employment opportunities, college admissions, scholarships, professional licensing, and automobile insurance rates. Understanding your legal options early may help you minimize the long-term impact of a DUI charge.
