Tailgating & Underage DUI
Being convicted of a DUI is very serious, especially if you are under the age of 21. If you have been charged with an underage DUI, you may be worried about the consequences that a conviction could bring. Depending on the number of past offenses, penalties can be as severe as paying hefty fines and having your license suspended for a number of years.
If you or a loved one has been charged with driving under the influence while underage, contact the Pittsburgh underage DUI lawyers at Worgul, Sarna & Ness, Criminal Defense Attorneys, LLC. We will fight tirelessly to keep you or your loved one from being convicted, if possible.
College events can be a terrible opportunity for those who are underage to get alcohol. This is especially true of football games and other sporting events. Football games, in particular, allow students to tailgate in designated parking lots before games. Underage students attending these events may arrive at a tailgate party, drink alcohol, and then be charged with a DUI on the drive home. Unfortunately, many schools are making this easier by creating loose policies regarding college tailgating.
Changes in Tailgating and Underage Drinking Policy
Pittsburgh State University has recently faced a tremendous amount of criticism from its sports fans. In the middle of the 2015 football season, university officials changed a number of tailgating policies. This led to outrage among students, and as a result, the school has changed the policies for the upcoming 2016-2017 season. One change, for example, is that there will be no restriction on alcohol consumption in the hours leading up to a game. Additionally, a variety of containers can now be used to bring in alcohol and using truck beds for tailgating is now permitted.
Officials at Pittsburgh State University insist that the new rules promote and emphasize personal responsibility, but they are far more likely to wreak havoc. For example, if a group of students, all under the age of 21, attend a tailgate party, they will be far more likely to drink underage if the restrictions are loose. Drinking will inevitably lead to becoming intoxicated, and these students may attempt to drive home. From there, they will have a very high chance of being pulled over and arrested on DUI charges.
The Consequences of an Underage DUI Conviction
Someone under the age of 21 who is convicted of a DUI is not likely to spend time in jail, but there are still severe consequences. For a first time DUI offense, an underage driver is likely to be placed into a community service program for a certain number of hours. The driver will also have their license suspended for a period of 90 days. Although completing a community service program may prevent you from having a criminal conviction, your record will still show a citation.
For any subsequent offenses, the penalties become harsher. For a second or third offense, your license will be suspended for 1 year or 2 years, respectively. You will also need to pay a fine of up to $500 dollars. This time, there is no option of completing community service in exchange for not having a criminal conviction on your record.
Let Worgul, Sarna & Ness, Criminal Defense Attorneys, LLC Help Protect You
At Worgul, Sarna & Ness, Criminal Defense Attorneys, LLC, we understand that dealing with an underage DUI can be an emotional and frightening process. After all, losing your license can affect every aspect of your life. You can rest assured knowing that we will stand with you every step of the way and protect your rights. Our experienced Pittsburgh underage DUI lawyers can work with the court to get a DUI citation expunged from your record. We may also be able to eliminate the 90-day license suspension period for first-time offenders.
Call us now at (412) 281-2146 or contact us online to see how we can help.