Underage DUIs may have repercussions outside of court
hoku • March 7, 2020
Young adulthood can be a time to make mistakes and learn from them, but that is no excuse when it comes to Hawaii’s drunk driving laws. Where the police hold drivers 21 and older to the blood alcohol concentration (BAC) standard of .08%, Hawaii’s zero-tolerance policy for underage drinkers means that any amount of alcohol in their system could result in a DUI charge. This policy escalates the consequences for underage drinkers when they decide to get behind the wheel.
Beyond the criminal charges
When an underage drinker is charged with a DUI, the consequences can extend way beyond any criminal charges or civil fines. Here are some ways that a DUI can affect a young person’s life:
- College admissions and scholarships : The police sometimes notify a person’s college when convicted on a DUI charge. For some colleges, this could mean suspension, expulsion or loss of housing eligibility. For college applicants, a conviction may make you ineligible for acceptance or nullify a scholarship. This exclusion may even include graduate schools.
- Professional careers : Certain professions that have licensure requirements like the legal, nursing or medical professions may become unavailable to you with a DUI on your record. Many government jobs and teaching jobs prevent those with criminal charges from applying.
- Student loans and government funding : A DUI conviction could lead to a suspension of federal student aid, delayed eligibility, or loss of student loans. This could include federal Pell grants and other student loans.
Working for your child’s future
Despite the far-reaching consequences of a DUI charge, Hawaii has an expungement process for DUIs committed under the age of 21. You don’t want a DUI conviction ruining your child’s chances for an excellent education and career. Contact a criminal defense lawyer with in-depth experience in underage DUI cases to fight for your child’s future.
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