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Under 21 DWI Lawyer in Raleigh

If you are under 21 and face charges of driving after consuming, act now to keep your record clean. The Coolidge Law Firm represents young people facing impaired driving charges. We will help build a strategy to attain the best possible results for your situation.

We represent clients throughout Raleigh, Cary, Morrisville, Apex, Garner, Wendell, Rolesville, Wake Forest and Knightdale. Our clients include students at the many universities in the area, including UNC-Chapel Hill, North Carolina State University (NCSU), Duke University, William Peace University, Shaw University, Meredith College, and Wake Technical Community College. Call an underage-DWI lawyer at the Coolidge Law Firm today to schedule a free consultation.

Underage DWI Lawyer in Raleigh

Students beware. North Carolina has a zero-tolerance law for drivers under 21 years of age. Drivers under the age of 21 cannot drink and drive, not even a sip. Being charged with driving after consuming under 21 can be a life-shattering event. You will be prosecuted and the consequences can be severe. You will lose your driving privilege for a year, you will be assessed fines, be required to complete substance abuse classes, face possible sanctions from your college or university, and may even serve jail time.

(919) 239-8448

Info on Underage Drunk Driving Charges

Low BAC for Drivers Under 21
Consequences of a DWI Charge for a Young Person
Challenging DUI Test Results for Underage Drivers

Low BAC for Drivers Under 21

Under North Carolina law, driving a vehicle while impaired by drugs or alcohol is illegal.

A person 21 or older is impaired under the law if the person’s blood alcohol content (BAC) is at or over 0.08 percent.

However, under N.C.G.S. § 20-138.3, a person younger than 21 (the legal age to purchase or consume alcohol in North Carolina) cannot drive with even the slightest amount of alcohol or controlled substance in his system unless the controlled substance was lawfully obtained and taken in therapeutically appropriate amounts. Prosecutors cannot to prove intoxication by odor alone. However, under the implied consent laws of North Carolina, you must submit to a test of your breath if requested by an officer. Registering any level of blood alcohol content will lead to criminal charges and possible license suspension.

Consequences of a DWI Charge for a Young Person

A DWI conviction for a person younger than 21 carries the same penalties, including jail time, probation, fines, license suspension, and ignition interlock device requirements, that the same conviction would carry for a person older than 21.

North Carolina law divides impaired driving charges into six levels determined by mitigating, aggravating, and grossly aggravating factors. Being underage is not one of these factors.

Mitigating factors include low BAC, safe driving, and a record free from serious infractions. Aggravating factors include a BAC at or above 0.15, reckless driving, or negligent driving causing an accident. A prior conviction for a DWI in the past seven years is a grossly aggravating factor.

Some of the universities and colleges in the area, including North Carolina State University, UNC-Chapel Hill, and Duke University, may pursue disciplinary action for criminal allegations. All students may face a student conduct board at their school and ultimately be asked to leave campus.

Challenging DUI Test Results for Underage Drivers

In a typical DWI arrest, officers ask the driver to take a chemical test. Prosecutors use the test results as evidence to prove the driver was impaired. The driver may refuse the test.

A driver under 21 cannot legally have any alcohol in his system. The BAC in an underage DWI arrest may be very slight, even as low as 0.01 or 0.02. A poorly calibrated or cleaned testing device could produce such a result for someone who had not consumed any alcohol.

At Coolidge Law Firm, we hire our own expert to challenge police procedures for BAC testing. We can challenge the results of your DUI test.

Speak to a DWI Defense Attorney for Drivers Under 21!

If you are younger than 21 and charged with driving after consuming alcohol or illegal drugs, you can keep a clean record. Your best chance at achieving this is hiring a highly skilled Raleigh underage-DWI lawyer to fight for your rights. Call the Coolidge Law Firm today at (919) 239-8448 or fill out the contact form below so we can begin developing your defense strategy. We will help you in court and at your school if the need arises. Do not hesitate. Call today for a free consultation.

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Client Testimonials

I can not say enough good about David Coolidge and the Law Firm! From the moment of our 1st interaction, I could tell that David TRULY cares and has a passion about the cases he takes on. I was anxious and nervous about my case from the beginning. David immediately showed his support and listened with an empathetic ear. From that moment on, I felt as though I knew I could trust him to put his whole heart into helping me with my case. He is intelligent, kind and completely nonjudgmental. He will listen to you and is so very supportive. I really felt, and still do, that he really cared about helping me. His passion for his work and in helping others shines. We VERY HAPPILY, had a GREAT outcome from the case and I could not be happier. As I told him when we left the court room that morning... “David, you have changed my life forever”. I would recommend David and this Law Firm to EVERYONE who is reading this review.

- Brian L.
David Coolidge is a wonderful attorney! I hired him twice for two different cases that I had which were only 2 months apart. He's very thorough and efficient. I was even able to reach him after hours through phone calls, texts, and email. Hopefully I never need his services again but if I am in a similar predicament I would most definitely hire David again.

- Tiffany C.
Excellent Customer Service. I had a Speeding ticket and they resolved it positively with no points on my Driver License. They represented me in Court and by midday on the Court date, they had updated me on the outcome. Very efficient service. I highly recommend them if you are in need of Legal Services.

- Stephen O.
I got a speeding ticket for going 17 over. They sent me a letter in the mail explaining that I could plead improper equipment and get no points on my insurance or license. They even gave me the fees straight out on the letter including court costs. They represented me and made the ticket go away.

- David G.
I cannot say enough about Attorney Coolidge and his staff. He’s handed several matters for me and in every instance he has exceeded my expectations. He even answered a frantic call from me on a Saturday night. I called in desperation not really expecting an answer. Mr. Coolidge delivered on all that he promised and more. I highly recommend.

- Craig S.

More Testimonials

I can not say enough good about David Coolidge and the Law Firm! From the moment of our 1st interaction, I could tell that David TRULY cares and has a passion about the cases he takes on. I was anxious and nervous about my case from the beginning. David immediately showed his support and listened with an empathetic ear. From that moment on, I felt as though I knew I could trust him to put his whole heart into helping me with my case. He is intelligent, kind and completely nonjudgmental. He will listen to you and is so very supportive. I really felt, and still do, that he really cared about helping me. His passion for his work and in helping others shines. We VERY HAPPILY, had a GREAT outcome from the case and I could not be happier. As I told him when we left the court room that morning... “David, you have changed my life forever”. I would recommend David and this Law Firm to EVERYONE who is reading this review.

- Brian L.

David Coolidge is a wonderful attorney! I hired him twice for two different cases that I had which were only 2 months apart. He's very thorough and efficient. I was even able to reach him after hours through phone calls, texts, and email. Hopefully I never need his services again but if I am in a similar predicament I would most definitely hire David again.

- Tiffany C.

Excellent Customer Service. I had a Speeding ticket and they resolved it positively with no points on my Driver License. They represented me in Court and by midday on the Court date, they had updated me on the outcome. Very efficient service. I highly recommend them if you are in need of Legal Services.

- Stephen O.

I got a speeding ticket for going 17 over. They sent me a letter in the mail explaining that I could plead improper equipment and get no points on my insurance or license. They even gave me the fees straight out on the letter including court costs. They represented me and made the ticket go away.

- David G.

I cannot say enough about Attorney Coolidge and his staff. He’s handed several matters for me and in every instance he has exceeded my expectations. He even answered a frantic call from me on a Saturday night. I called in desperation not really expecting an answer. Mr. Coolidge delivered on all that he promised and more. I highly recommend.

- Craig S.