Common Underage Dui Punishments

Sometimes, you might make the mistake of using an illegal substance and then thinking that you can drive. Even if you’re an adult, there are consequences to these actions. If you’re underage and driving in South Carolina, those consequences could be more severe.

Fines

One of the most common components of criminal law associated with an underage DUI charge is a fine that you’ll be ordered to pay. This is usually several hundred to several thousand dollars depending on the substance, the nature of the charges and how many charges you’ve had in the past. If you’re unable to pay the entire fine at one time, you might be able to consult with the court to establish a payment plan.

Jail

In some instances, you could be sentenced to spend up to a year in jail. This is a severe punishment after being charged with a DUI and being underage as it could result in failing classes at school or even being held back a grade. It can mean time spent away from your family and friends as well as a criminal record that might prevent you from getting a job in the future.

Classes

The court may order you to take substance abuse classes. This is often done if it’s your first offense so that you can learn about what substances will do to you and how they impact your driving ability. A component of taking the classes is that you might need to have an ignition lock put on your car so that you don’t drive if you’ve been using alcohol.

After choosing to drink or use drugs while underage and making the decision to get behind the wheel of a car, you may have to undergo several punishments for at least a short time. Negotiating a plea bargain might help to reduce the severity of these penalties.