According to the Alabama DWI laws for Minors, drivers under the age of 21 are considered to be legally drunk when their blood alcohol level or BAC is 0.02 or more. The BAC levels varied for those who are above the age of 21 and the legal limit is 0.08%. If the violation of DWI is done for the first time, a minor with a blood alcohol level between 0.02 and 0.08 will have to face an automatic 30-day suspension of the driving license. The minor should also attend a DWI or substance abuse program and pay similar fine as an adult offender. If the BAC of the minor is 0.02 or more they will be charged with driving under the influence. They also need to enroll in a chemical abuse treatment program.

Penalties for Alabama DWI for minors

A DWI first offense conviction for a minor is considered as a misdemeanor where he will have to pay a fine of about $250 along with suspension of the license for a period of 90 days and required attendance at one or more alcohol safety education programs. Apart from this, the court also orders the minor to attend a victim impact panel. It can decide whether to “non-adjudicate” the first offense of the minor. If it does non-adjudicate the conviction, it is kept confidential and is removed from the driving record upon reaching the age of 21. Thus the 1st Juvenile DWI Offense with a .02% BAC and is under 21 years at time of offense, they will face the following charges:

• 90 day license suspension for refusal of test
• 30 days license suspension
• $250 fine
• Completion of driver education substance abuse court referral program

If the minor is involved in a DWI second offense and is convicted, it is considered a misdemeanor and will result in a fine of about $500 and suspension of the license for about one year. The duration of the suspension of the license will be reduced if the minor is successful in completing the alcohol and drug abuse treatment. 1st Juvenile DWI Offense with BAC of .08% or refusal to take any DWI test can lead to penalties like 1 year license suspension, monetary fine of $250 and other juvenile dispositional alternatives given by the judge.

When a minor is charged for DWI conviction for the third drunk driving offense, even then it is considered as a misdemeanor and will result in a fine of about $1,000 and suspension of license which can last either until the minor reaches the age of 21 or for 2 years, whichever is longer. Apart from these penalties, he will have to undergo alcohol and drug abuse counseling is required.

Zero Tolerance for Minors

A minor under the age of 21 should not drive or be in actual physical control of any vehicle if they have a BAC of .02 % or more by weight of alcohol in the blood. The Department of Public Safety will immediately suspend or revoke the license of the driver. This is applicable to any juvenile, child or youthful offender who might be either convicted or adjudicated. Whatever be the reason, Zero Tolerance Laws will be imposed on them on them which need to be followed strictly. As part of the law, the driving license and the driving privilege will be suspended for a period of 30 days along with other kinds of penalties.