Texas DUI Penalties for a Minor
A DUI, or charge of driving under the influence of intoxicating substances, is sometimes called driving while intoxicated, (DWI) in Texas. Because Texas has a zero tolerance policy for minors driving while intoxicated, any minor found driving with alcohol in his system is guilty of a misdemeanor.
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Minors Driving While Intoxicated
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Under Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code Section 106.041, it is a Class C misdemeanor for a minor to drive with any detectable amount of alcohol in her system. The peace officer is not required to take the minor into custody for this offense, but can issue a citation for the minor to appear before a magistrate. If a minor has been previously convicted of this offense at least twice before, the minor will be fined between $500 and $2,000 and can be sentenced to up to 180 days in jail.
Community Service
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In addition to other penalties, a court in Texas must give the minor convicted of this offense community service under Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code Section 106.041. The community service has to relate in some way to education about or the prevention of the alcohol misuse. For a first offense she will receive between 20 and 40 hours of community service but if it is a repeat offense she will receive between 40 and 60 hours of community service.
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Alcohol Awareness Courses
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Under Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code Section 106.115 a minor driving with alcohol in his system must attend an alcohol awareness program that has been approved by the Texas Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse. The court can order him to repeat the course if he is convicted more than once. If the minor is younger than 18 a Texas court also has the power to order his parents or guardians to attend an approved alcohol awareness program too.
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References
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