New Jersey Under 21 DUI Penalties
In New Jersey, individuals under the age of 21 who operate a motor vehicle after consuming alcohol face specific penalties, separate from standard DWI charges.
Specifically, anyone under the legal drinking age in NJ who drives with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.01% or higher, but less than 0.08%, will face the following consequences:
- Loss of driving privileges in New Jersey for a period ranging from 30 to 90 days. This suspension or prohibition from obtaining a license begins when the individual becomes eligible for a NJ license or upon conviction, whichever occurs later.
- A community service requirement for 15 to 30 days.
- Mandatory participation in and completion of the Intoxicated Driver Resource Center program (including associated fees) or another alcohol education and highway safety program as directed by the chief administrator.
These penalties for underage DUI are in addition to any penalties a court may impose under other New Jersey statutes, including those related to providing alcohol to minors or standard DWI offenses. Even if you were under 21 at the time of a DWI and your breath or blood alcohol content (BAC) was over 0.08%, leading to an “adult” DWI charge, there’s a possibility I can get the BAC results suppressed and excluded. This could result in the charge being reduced to an underage DWI, which carries considerably less severe penalties and significantly lower fines.
If you or a loved one in NJ has been charged with DUI Under 21 (also referred to as “baby DWI”), it is crucial to consult with a qualified New Jersey DUI defense attorney immediately. Successfully challenging these charges can significantly benefit the young driver and their parents by preventing substantial fines, state and insurance surcharges, increased insurance premiums, and the suspension or delay of their New Jersey driving privileges.
If you have been arrested for drunk driving in New Jersey, please contact me now for a free NJ DUI consultation or call me at 888-839-4529. I offer flexible payment options, accept major credit cards, and am committed to providing the personal, professional, aggressive, and experienced NJ DUI legal representation you need.
