Virginia Underage Drinking & DUI Defense

The Commonwealth of Virginia has made some new changes to the underage drinking laws in Virginia. As of July 1, 2010, the change in the laws regarding alcohol and minors have significantly increased the restrictions and penalties associated with underage drinking of alcohol by minors. Both the drinking of alcohol of minors and the driving under the influence by minors laws have become more harsher and they both affect the minors’ drivers license. 

Regarding minors being caught in possession of alcohol (Minor in Possession), a second offense of Minor in Possession will result in the possible loss of the minor’s license for up to a year in Virginia. The previous law only allowed the State to take the license for up to 6 months. Keep in mind, the loss of license will be imposed regardless of if you had been driving at the time of the offense.
Another significant change was the change in the law as to penalties for minors convicted of Driving Under the Influence (DUI). Virginia Courts used to have the authority to grant a restricted license to drive to school for minors convicted of DUI in Virginia. The new law makes it mandatory for the Judge to revoke the driver’s license of a minor convicted of a DUI in Virginia.

If you have been charged with underage drinking (Minor in Possession of alcohol) or Underage DUI in Virginia, contact the SRIS Law Group Virginia DUI lawyers for help.

The SRIS Law Group has offices in Fairfax County, Prince William County, Richmond, Virginia Beach, Loudoun County, Fredericksburg & Lynchburg.