Underage drunk driving charges could turn your life upside down, and you need to immediately go over your options if you find yourself facing these allegations. Unfortunately, some drivers do not recognize the impact of drunk driving charges, and many find themselves in this position due to a one-off incident.
In Missouri, drivers under 21 who have a small amount of alcohol in their system can face life-altering charges. In fact, some face these allegations even though they did not drink any alcohol whatsoever, while others deal with the violation of their rights during a stop.
Underage drunk driving and the legal limit
For those over the age of 21, the legal limit is .08%. However, the Missouri State Highway Patrol reports that for drivers under 21, those with a BAC of .02% or higher face license suspension for 30 days. Missouri has put a zero-tolerance policy in place that prohibits those under 21 from buying, possessing and consuming beverages containing alcohol.
In addition to losing your license, if you face underage drunk driving charges you could have to pay a reinstatement fee to restore your driving privileges and finish a substance abuse program.
Underage drunk driving charges and your future
On top of the immediate impact of a drunk driving case, you should understand how these charges could affect your future. For example, you could encounter problems when applying for a certain job later on, as well as other consequences due to your record, and this case could tarnish your reputation. Make sure you do everything you can to address your underage drunk driving case properly and obtain the best possible outcome in court.