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Underage DUI

Scranton Underage DUI Lawyer

Facing Under 21 Drunk Driving Charges in PA?

The consumption of alcohol by any individual under the age of 21 is always illegal with no exceptions. Underage drivers, while make up less than 10 percent of all licensed drivers, account for an estimated 12 percent of DUI related fatalities in the state of Pennsylvania. Because of this, the laws and penalties pertaining to underage DUIs are harsher than for those who are of legal drinking age.

If you’ve been arrested for an underage DUI in Lackawanna County, you should not hesitate to contact the Law Offices of William D. Thompson. Attorney Thompson is considered a Top 100 Trial Lawyer by The National Trial Lawyers was recognized for his client satisfaction for two consecutive years by the American Institute of Criminal Law Attorneys.

We’re available to help 24/7. Call the Law Offices of William D. Thompson at (570) 666-1068 to discuss your legal options.

Penalties for Underage DUI in Pennsylvania

If a chemical test confirms that an individual under the age of 21 has a blood alcohol content (BAC) of .02% or higher, he or she can be arrested and charged for an underage DUI. For adults who are at least 21 years of age, the legal limit is .08 percent.

If convicted of a first underage DUI, penalties can include:

  • Up to 90 days in jail
  • $500 in fines
  • 12 month license suspension if BAC is above .10%

If convicted of a second underage DUI, penalties can include

  • Up to 6 months in jail
  • $2,500 in fines
  • 1 year license suspension

Other Charges Underage Drivers Could Face

In addition to underage DUI, the person in question may also be charged with other alcohol-related crimes including minor in possession and possession of false identification if a fake ID was used.

The following are the most common alcohol-related offenses minors and young adults face in Pennsylvania:

  • Underage consumption and possession of alcohol – Also known as “underage drinking,” it is against the law for someone under 21 years old to possess, purchase, consume, or transport alcohol. A conviction of underage drinking is punishable by a maximum fine of $500 and driver’s license suspension for at least 90 days. A second offense carries a fine of up to $1,000 and one-year license suspension period, while a third offense leads to a two-year suspension.

  • Using a fake ID – A conviction for possession of a fake ID in Pennsylvania carries a maximum jail term of 90 days, a fine of up to $300, and driver’s license suspension of up to 90 days. Presenting a fake ID to an officer is third-degree misdemeanor, punishable by a jail sentence of up to one year and a maximum $2,500 fine.

  • Furnishing alcohol to minors – Supplying alcohol to a minor by either purchasing for, selling it, or giving it to a minor. A conviction results in a minimum fine of $1,000 for a first offense and a minimum fine of $2,000 for a subsequent offense. Keep in mind, you could face separate furnishing charges for each minor you provide alcohol to.

Let Us Defend Your Future

At our firm, it is our primary mission and goal to aggressively defend and protect the rights of those who have been arrested, accused, or charged with a crime. Facing the legal system can be a daunting task, but you don’t have to do it alone with our legal time on your side.

Contact us today to schedule a consultation with our Scranton DUI attorney.

Recent Reviews From Previous Clients

  • I just wanted to say thanks for doing such a good job handling my case. You are the best Billy. I highly recommend him to anyone who needs a lawyer.

    “I just wanted to say thanks for doing such a good job handling my case. Every other lawyer I talked to told me that I was getting 5 years for my second DUI and you got me six months [probation]. You are the best Billy. I highly recommend him to anyone who needs a lawyer. ”

    Bob

  • I'd just like to thank him and I would recommend him to any friends or family member. So thank you Bill for everything you managed to do for me, I appreciate it more then I can put into words.

    “I'd just like to thank him and I would recommend him to any friends or family member. So thank you Bill for everything you managed to do for me, I appreciate it more then I can put into words. ”

  • We would definitely recommend him to friends!

    “We were referred to Bill by a lawyer who had previously help us with some real estate issues when we were looking for a criminal lawyer. From the first call, Bill was great with communication and keeping us update with information. He explained everything very clearly from the worst case scenario to the most realistic. He made sure every question was answered and did the research when necessary. Overall, Bill took what could have been a huge mess in multiple counties and helped us get a fair and reasonable resolution for everything. Honestly, we hope we never have to call Bill again, but we would definitely recommend him to friends. ”

    Former Client

  • Bill was successful in providing us with a great outcome.

    “We were referred to Bill by a senior member of law enforcement. As a parent, your worst nightmare is receiving a call that one of your children had found themselves in a situation that could have serious criminal ramifications. Bill was quite willing to accept our case, and immediately set about the task of learning and examining the facts, then having a detailed conversation with us as a group, and independently with our child. Bill walked us through all the implications of his actions, and outlined best and worst case scenarios so that we would be adequately armed with as much information as possible. A lot of that may seem standard fare for some attorney’s, but where Bill absolutely stood apart was the way he engaged us as a family. Granted, we do not have a lot of experience working with attorney’s, but the experience of working with Bill was in large part contradictory to the stereotype. He gave us the feeling that he genuinely cared about our child’s well-being, and we walked away from our initial meeting with an assured feeling that he would do whatever it took to provide us with the best possible outcome. This was a traumatic experience for our child, but through it all, he actually looked up to Bill as not just his attorney, but somewhat of a mentor. This speaks volumes to Bill’s ability to effectively communicate with us, and the level of transparency into the process that he provided. Bill was successful in providing us with a great outcome, and we are extremely grateful for his dedication to the case and his brilliance in the execution of it. We would 100% recommend Bill with no reservations whatsoever. ”

    Former Client

  • I highly recommend him to others and I will continue to do so!

    “I met Mr. Thompson about 4 years ago. I was on probation at the time and I hired him in June 2011 for a reduction of my sentence. (I was sentenced in 2008 for 5 1/2 years Probation, among other things. Mr. Thompson was not my lawyer at the time ) After hiring Mr. Thompson he had a hearing set up with the Judge in October 2011, however I was violated before my court date. He immediately came to speak with me the day I was incarcerated in September of 2011. He kept me up to date with information regarding my case regularly. If I had questions he was able to answer them. For example I was on a certain block while incarcerated. He was able to answer my question. He was also in communication with my mother during that time to keep her up to date as well. He was reasonably priced in comparison to my previous lawyer. He managed to have my sentence reduced by a year and a half with a violation and I was out of jail in 43 days. I have used him in other situations regarding the law after being out of jail in November 2011 and I would use him again. I highly recommend him to others and I will continue to do so. ”

    Maura