• 21
  • November
    2011

It's a fact of life that most teenagers, even responsible kids from good families, will make some bad decisions as they're growing up. Despite their parents' warnings to the contrary, many will use alcohol. In fact, a recent survey showed that over 27 percent of New Jersey youth between the ages of 12 and 20 admitted to drinking alcohol within the past month.

However, a teen whose alcohol use leads to a charge for New Jersey underage drinking or DWI faces serious, and possibly life-altering, penalties.

New Jersey youth under the age of 21 who are caught purchasing or drinking alcohol at an establishment with an alcohol beverage license will be fined $500 and have their driver's license suspended for six months. For teens who do not yet have a driver's license, the suspension will start when they first become eligible for a license.

However, the consequences of New Jersey underage drinking often extend far beyond the criminal penalties. At an age when many are just starting out, a suspended license can make it difficult to secure or retain a job, attend college classes or participate in extracurricular activities.

Penalties Are Worse for Underage DWI

The consequences can be even worse if a teen's underage drinking leads to a charge for drinking and driving. New Jersey DWI penalties are especially strict for underage drivers.

New Jersey follows a "zero tolerance rule" for underage DWI, meaning that teen drivers who have any detectable amount of alcohol in their system can be convicted of a criminal offense. Teens who test positive for alcohol but whose blood alcohol content is below the official drunk driving limit of 0.08 will lose their driving privileges for up to 90 days and will be sentenced to between 15 and 30 days of community service. They will also be required to participate in an alcohol safety education program.

If teens get caught driving with a license that has been suspended for drinking and driving, they will be fined $500 and may be sent to jail for up to 90 days. Further, their license will be suspended for an additional one to two years.

Teens caught driving with a blood alcohol content of 0.08 or above are subject to the same DWI penalties faced by adults.

Many teens think that underage drinking is no big deal. However, the consequences of getting caught for New Jersey underage drinking or DWI are serious business. If your teen has been charged with an alcohol violation, contact an experienced New Jersey underage drinking lawyer who can help protect your child's future.

Source: New Jersey Office of the Attorney General, "Alcohol Awareness: Driving While Intoxicated in New Jersey."