The International Institute for Alcohol Awareness (IIAA) reported that roughly 243,000 underage people drink each year in Tennessee. These 243,000 youths account for 14.9 percent of all alcohol sales in the state. The IIAA also found that a large number drove after having one or more drinks.
To address this, Tennessee lawmakers designed and passed some of the toughest DUI laws in the nation to prevent people, especially minors, from drinking and driving.
Tennessee's Underage DUI Law
Tennessee has a zero tolerance policy for minors who drive under the influence of alcohol. The law states that any person under 21 who has a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) at or above 0.02 will be subject to DUI enforcement. As a result, a minor in Tennessee who drives after sometimes even one drink faces potential:
- Jail time
- License revocation for a minimum of one year
- Hefty fines (up to $1,500 for a first offense)
- Mandatory alcohol counseling programs
The severity of these penalties depends upon an individual's BAC level, whether it is a first or repeat offense, as well as whether the person caused any injuries while behind the wheel.
However, regardless of the circumstances, any minor facing DUI charges should consult an experienced DUI attorney immediately to discuss their rights and to prevent any long-term effects.
Long-Term Consequences
Many people fail to recognize that DUI convictions have long-term consequences as well, many of which affect a person's life years after an incident. For example, certain graduate schools require an applicant to declare all past crimes, and many potential employers utilize criminal background checks to screen their candidates.
In light of this, college students and other minors must be particularly careful when facing DUI charges, especially since being turned away from a job is the last thing any recent graduate needs. Therefore, proper handling of DUI and underage consumption cases is critical. Any minor facing alcohol related charges should contact a qualified criminal defense attorney - especially before speaking with authorities - to discuss how to preserve their future.
