You receive a late-night call from your teenager. They told you that they drove home from a party after having just one drink. Now, red and blue lights flash behind them. In an instant, this moment can change your child’s future forever.
Underage drinking and driving remains a serious issue
Your teen may believe one drink won’t impair their driving. Unfortunately, even small amounts of alcohol may affect judgment and reaction time. Across New Jersey, underage drinking and driving continues to endanger young lives. That’s why understanding how the state addresses this problem is crucial to protecting your child.
Understanding New Jersey’s zero tolerance policy
To combat this issue, New Jersey enforces a zero tolerance policy for drivers under 21. Under this policy, officers can charge your child if they detect any measurable alcohol in their system.
The penalties include a license suspension of 30 to 90 days, fines ranging from $500 to $1,000 and 15 to 30 days of community service. Importantly, these consequences vary based on the charge your child receives.
Two types of charges your child can face
As a result of this policy, the type of charge depends on your child’s blood alcohol concentration. Specifically, your child may face one of these charges:
- Underage DWI: This applies when BAC measures between 0.01% and 0.08%, such as after consuming a single beer.
- Adult DWI: This occurs when BAC exceeds 0.08%, resulting in the same penalties an adult would face.
As you can see, each charge carries different penalties that can significantly affect your child’s future opportunities.
Take action to protect your child’s future
Beyond immediate penalties, these charges impact college applications, job prospects and insurance rates for years to come. Fortunately, you don’t have to navigate this situation alone. By consulting with a criminal defense lawyer, you can better understand your options and build the strongest defense for your child.