DWI and Minors

Texas state law requires a person to be at least 21 years old in order to purchase or consume alcoholic beverages. Despite the law, the fact of the matter is that for thousands of underage drinkers, gaining access to alcohol is easy, and drinking is a part of everyday life. Unfortunately, many of these underage drinkers end up behind the wheel of an automobile, where the results can be tragic. To counteract drunk driving among minors, the state of Texas has increased penalties for minors convicted of Driving While Intoxicated. These penalties are designed not only to prevent minors from getting behind the wheel drunk, but also to educate them as to the dangers of DWI, in the hopes that they make better choices once they are of legal drinking age.

Minors Charged With Driving Under The Influence in Denton County

A minor is considered to be any person under the age of 21. The state of Texas has a zero tolerance policy when it comes to minors and drunk driving. This means that, if you’re under the age of 21, any amount of alcohol detected in your system through a breath or blood alcohol concentration test can result in a charge of Driving Under The Influence (DUI). Penalties for minors charged with DUI include:

60 day license suspension;
Fines up to $500;
Requirement to perform community service;
Mandatory alcohol awareness classes.

If you have multiple DUI violations, these penalties can increase. DUI shows up as a misdemeanor charge, and while you may eventually be able to have this charge expunged from your record, it can still cause serious damage.

Penalties for Minors Convicted of DWI

A minor aged 17 or over with a breath or blood alcohol concentration of .08 or greater can be charged with Driving While Intoxicated. Potential penalties for minors convicted of DWI
are as follows:

License suspension of up to 1 year;
Fines up to $2,000;
Mandatory jail time up to 180 days;
Mandatory alcohol awareness classes;
Installation of an Ignition Interlock Device;
Requirements to perform community service.

For an underage person, the negative impacts resulting from a DWI conviction can affect every aspect of their life, including education, extra-curricular activities, and after school employment. If you have any prior DUI or DWI charges, you may be facing felony charges. Young people in particular need the help of an attorney who will aggressively defend them against their DWI charges, an attorney who knows the ins and outs of the court system, and can advise them on the best strategies

Call Our Experienced Texas DUI/DWI Attorney Today

At the Wheeler Law Office, our lead counsel brings experience as a former prosecutor to aggressively defend underage clients charged with Driving Under the Influence and Driving While Intoxicated. These are serious charges for a young person to face. If you’ve been charged with DUI or DWI, contact our experienced Denton DUI/DWI attorney right away. Our office offers a free, initial consultation, as well as flat fee pricing and payment plans affordable for any budget. Call us today at (940)-465-3178. Your future could be at stake without a strong legal defense against your charges-call the Wheeler Law Office today.

Testimonials

I wholeheartedly endorse this Law Firm

I wholeheartedly endorse this Law Firm. They were hired to handle a felony theft charge on my daughter in Denton County arising from a domestic dispute with a roommate. Their experience as criminal defense attorneys, along with their excellent working relationship with clients and officials in the criminal defense system, make him an excellent choice to represent anyone facing criminal charges. I would definitely hire The Wheeler Law Offices again, should the occasion arise.

Timothy Holt
Denton, TX

I am very very pleased with their services

I had got a ticket when my insurance had expired and I found The Wheeler Law office and they got my ticket dismissed! I am very very pleased with their services and would recommend them to anyone and i will for sure be calling them again if need be.

Chad Davis

Denton, TX

I would absolutely recommend!!

We contacted The Wheeler Law Offices to handle a few tickets that had the potential to be “troublesome” – they handled them quickly AND were very good about keeping me in the loop regarding changes. Since that time, I have needed to contact them and he continued to be extremely helpful.

Michelle Cree

Denton, TX

This Firm took care of me

I hired them into 2013 my cases were a little different than most. I had 2 DWI cases back to back within four months. Most people would just assume that they would have to do jail time no matter what. But they not only kept me from doing jail time they took care of both cases in a manner that I believe only they could have done. I won’t say how much probation time I received. But I can tell you that it ended up being a ridiculously short amount of time. All that being said not only was I in trouble with the law but I lost my job. They help me out financially I was able to pay them when I had the chance. And I can say with all honesty and certainty it was worth every penny If you are in trouble with any such cases that they take care of I can guarantee you will not be displeased. They take care of things in a very professional and friendly way. The Wheeler Law Offices are easy-going and very professional and I would hire them again anytime.

C Hubanks

Denton, TX

Best case scenario

Not only are they very neat and presentable, but they were also nice and very personable in a very nerve wracking and foreign time for me. They were always upfront and never promised what they couldn’t handle. I believe time on the prosecution side at the District Attorneys office helped them know what to expect and to get my case dismissed. I hope I never need to but I would definitely use their services again, and recommend them to anyone else in need.

Providence Village, TX

They are outstanding attorneys!

They successfully dismissed my DWI case! They also successfully overturned my drivers license suspension. They were always available to answer my questions and keep me informed during the entire process. I am extremely thankful for their hard work on my behalf. I would strongly recommend The Wheeler Law Offices to represent you. They are very knowledgable about the court process and how to successfully represent facts to the judge. My results prove their effectiveness. I am truly thankful they represented me.

Travis Boren

Roanoke, TX

The Wheeler Law Office was AWESOME!!

They got my DWI down to an obstruction of passageway MID TRIAL! They helped me out with a payment plan and was available anytime I had a question. They kept me up to date on everything happening and were amazing to work with. They’ve been straight forward about my case and continue to give me great legal advice. If you find yourself in this situation, my condolences, it’s no fun but this is your Law Firm. They were great!!

Bethany

Lewisville, TX

They got my DWI dropped down to obstruction of the road!!

I got arrested for DWI, I needed a very good attorney to help me out. The moment my father and I walked into their office, I knew they were the attorneys for me! They know exactly what they are doing and I am very pleased with their services. I would highly recommend them to anyone, and without a doubt will call them if needed again. They got my DWI charges dropped down to an obstruction of the road charge. That is very impressive!

Miranda Flores

Flower Mound, TX

Really knows hows too help! Life saver

They are really really good attorneys that handled two of my cases both were pretty serious charges and one them got dismissed and will also work with you with payments if money is ever an issue. They are the best I was lucky enough to find such a good attorney like them if anything they will be the one firm I will ever go too.

Juanita

Denton, TX

They are the best defense attorneys…

The Wheeler Law Offices are the best defense attorneys I’ve ever met and worked with, they worked very hard to see that my charges were reduced. Excellent attorney glad I had them to represent me.

Clarence R.