According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “Although drinking by persons under the age of 21 is illegal, people aged 12 to 20 years drink 11 percent of all alcohol consumed in the United States. More than 90 percent of this alcohol is consumed in the form of binge drinks.”
While underage drinking has become common in our society, including within the state of Kansas, many minors and even their parents are unaware of the legal consequences for a minor who has been convicted of Driving Under the Influence (DUI).
“It is important to understand that the law does not ‘go easier’ on minors,” said criminal defense attorney Jonathan W. McConnell. “In fact, Kansas actually has a ‘zero-tolerance law pertaining to minors.”
Specializing in DUI defense, the McConnell Law Firm in Wichita, Kansas, has developed some brief information to outline aspects of Kansas DUI law related to minors. Although juveniles between the ages of 14 and 18 are tried as adults for traffic offenses such as DUI, specific laws for minors still apply:
- It is illegal for Kansas minors to drive a vehicle with a blood-alcohol level of .02 or more. For adults, the legal threshold is .08, so the threshold for minors is much more strict.
- If convicted for the first time of driving a vehicle with a blood-alcohol level between .02 and .08, a minor may be suspended for 30 days and then restricted for the following 330 days with an ignition interlock device.
- If convicted for the second time of driving a vehicle with a blood-alcohol level between .02 and .08, a minor may be suspended for one year.
- If convicted of driving a vehicle with a blood-alcohol level of .08 or greater, a minor may be suspended for 30 days and then restricted for the following six months to drive a vehicle equipped with an ignition interlock device.
- If convicted of driving a vehicle with a blood-alcohol level of .150 or greater, a minor may be suspended for one year and then restricted for the following year to drive a vehicle equipped with an ignition interlock device.
- If a minor refuses to take a blood-alcohol test, their driving privileges may be suspended for one year and then restricted for two years with an ignition interlock device.
Our DUI Attorneys Can Help With a DUI Arrest or Charge
Every case is different, and no conclusions should be drawn without first consulting an attorney who specializes in DUI defense to discuss the specifics of your case or the case of your child. The DUI team at the McConnell Law Firm has the knowledge and expertise to ensure all procedures were correctly followed during the DUI arrest and that you or your child are being treated fairly by the system, including during a trial.
We invite you to contact our DUI attorney team today for a free consultation. We look forward to helping!
