Hosts may be liable in underage DUI cases

Posted on June 8, 2015 in Underage Drinking

Every year in Arizona, countless individuals are pulled over on suspicion of driving drunk. If you make some mistakes while driving, it is possible that this could happen to you, as officers may assume that your errors are caused by intoxication. Fortunately, if you have not been drinking, it is likely that you will be cleared of that assumption as drunk driving tests are often quite accurate.

Some of the methods that may be employed are field sobriety tests or the use of a Breathalyzer to determine your blood alcohol concentration. In general, the legal limit for BAC is 0.08 percent. However, if you are under the legal drinking age, you may face charges even if your BAC is lower than 0.08. This is because some states have lower tolerance laws forunderage drinkers.

Of course, the driver is not the only one who can get into trouble in such instances. In certain states and to varying degree, social hosts can also become embroiled in legal proceedings surrounding drunk driving accidents. This can apply if the host was seen to permit or encourage excessive drinking on the part of a minor, especially a minor who then injured or killed someone else or themselves.

The precise charges and penalties can vary from state to state and case to case. However, any DUI conviction can be harmful to your future. If you have been charged with drunk driving or a related offense, you might benefit from an attorney’s advice. He or she can explain the charges you face and might be able to assist you with your defense.