Oklahoma City Minor DUI Defense Attorney
Getting arrested for driving while impaired (DWI) or driving while under the influence (DUI) in Oklahoma City as a minor is a serious offense. The penalties for both minors and adults can be severe. These penalties can include fines, jail time, or possibly even losing your driver’s license for several months, if not years.
When facing these charges, you must act quickly. The most important step, other than focusing on any injuries you may have sustained, is to seek legal counsel from a skilled Oklahoma City DUI defense attorney.
Our talented criminal defense lawyers at Cannon & Associates have multiple years of experience in helping clients avoid criminal convictions. They will ensure that you are treated fairly by the criminal justice system and will aim to minimize any criminal charges if not get rid of them together.
If you are a minor and have been arrested due to driving under the influence in Oklahoma City, then call Cannon & Associates today at 405-591-3935, for a free case evaluation with one of our many knowledgeable DUI attorneys in Oklahoma City.


What Are The Penalties for a Minor Driving Under The Influence?
For people under the age of 21, there is an underage DUI charge. Unlike other DUIs, a minor DUI charge will not result in prison time if you are found guilty. Instead, you will face a vast amount of community service to be completed if convicted.
As such, underage DUI charges come with lesser penalties than being convicted of a DUI as an adult. These penalties can vary depending on whether it’s your first offense or not. The penalties for each conviction can be seen below:
- First conviction– A minimum fine of $100, ranging upward to $500. At least 20 hours of community service, and completing a drink driving treatment program.
- Second conviction–A minimum of 240 hours of community service. A fine ranging from $100 to $1,000. You may also have to complete a driver’s drinking program.
- Third or subsequent conviction–A minimum of 480 hours of community service. A fine of $100 to $2,000, and/ or completion of a treatment program and potential loss of their driving privileges for some time.
Although the penalties are less severe than those for adults, the requirements to be charged with an underage DUI are also lesser:
It is illegal for anyone to operate any type of vehicle if their blood alcohol content (BAC) is 0.08% or higher. However, because the legal age to consume alcohol is 21, if the person driving is a minor, this limit is lowered to a BAC of 0.01%.
This is classed under the Oklahoma City “zero tolerance” law, which states that if you are a minor with any alcohol content in your blood, you will be charged with an underage DUI.
This is why it is essential to talk to an experienced Oklahoma City DUI defense attorney.
Can I Still Be Charged With a Full DUI If I’m a Minor?
Depending on the case, your blood alcohol content, and your actions while under the influence, yes – you could still be considered for a usual DUI charge regardless of age.
You can be charged with a regular DUI under the following circumstances:
- Your BAC was much higher than that of 0.08%.
- You were involved in a road accident caused by your driving under the influence.
- Someone was injured due to your dangerous driving under the influence.
If this happens, then the criminal charges you face may be much more severe than an underage DUI charge and if any of the above is true, it is crucial to get in touch with an Oklahoma City DUI lawyer.
Because of the multiple different laws in Oklahoma City regarding driving under the influence, it’s important that you don’t navigate the criminal process alone.
Regardless of whether you fall under the above circumstances, it is smart to get in contact with a DUI attorney in Oklahoma City who has experience in DUI defense practice.
What Are The Penalties For an Adult DUI in Oklahoma City, OK?
The criminal charges that you may face can vary massively when it comes to your case, as there are a lot of different situations that can make your charges more or less severe.
Jail time can be common in DUI cases. For a first-time DUI offense, you won’t likely be looking at incarceration.
However, the likelihood of going to jail increases with the number of offenses you have committed and how serious these offenses are. The amount of time you may have to serve in jail will depend on how many prior convictions you have and your BAC content when breathalyzed.
You could also be looking at hefty fines ranging from $500 to $2,000. Again, this fine could be drastically higher depending on whether it’s a first offense.
Finally, when arrested for a DUI, you will be automatically handed a license suspension, losing your driving privileges for several months, or even years, depending on the severity of your case. If it is your fourth offense, you’ll receive a license revocation, meaning you’ll lose your driver’s license permanently. A DUI attorney may be able to help you avoid this.
If you are a minor who has been arrested whilst under the influence of alcohol and are looking at a full DUI charge, not an underage DUI in Oklahoma City, then contacting an Oklahoma City criminal defense law firm should be your first port of call.
What is an Actual Physical Control Charge?
You could potentially be charged with a drunk driving offense even when you are not physically operating a vehicle. If accused of attempting to or planning to operate your vehicle, whilst under the influence of alcohol, then law enforcement can issue an “actual physical control (APC)” charge.
An example of where you might be charged with an APC is seen below:
- Sitting in your motor vehicle with the ignition on whilst over the legal limit.
- Sat in a vehicle that’s either broken down or run out of gas.
- If you are a passenger who has assumed control, or touched the driving wheel whilst under the influence of alcohol.
An Oklahoma City DUI attorney will be able to figure out whether your APC charges are valid.
Do I Need a Criminal Defense Lawyer for a DUI in Oklahoma City, OK?
If you are an adult above the age of 21 or a minor who has been arrested for being over the limit while driving, then yes. We would strongly advise that you seek immediate legal representation to minimize the criminal charges that are being held against you.
Our capable DUI attorneys at Cannon & Associates will offer you a free consultation with any case. They have plenty of experience in helping clients accused of DUIs.
Don’t hesitate to call them today at 405-591-3935.
How An Oklahoma City DUI Attorney Can Help You
In Oklahoma City, and anywhere else in Oklahoma, a conviction for driving while impaired can easily affect you for the rest of your life, especially if you’re a minor. An Oklahoma City minor DUI defense lawyer can help you navigate through the difficult criminal law systems in Oklahoma City. An attorney could help you with your criminal defense in the following ways:
Reviewing Your Case
Our criminal defense firm has years of experience when it comes to dealing with clients in Oklahoma who have been arrested for a criminal conviction.
Our DUI attorneys in OKlahoma City will review all evidence given in the case and give you the best chance of minimizing your charges, getting your charges dropped or reduced, or minimizing the penalties you face.
Exploring Your Defense
When facing an underage DUI, or a regular DUI, our DUI defense attorneys will target the most common weaknesses in these types of cases.
A few examples of weaknesses in the prosecution’s case could be:
- An unlawful stop by the police officer.
- A faulty breathalyzer.
- Improper police conduct.
In these situations, the case against you will most likely be dismissed, or at the very least, the charges will be reduced.
Alternatives to Fight a Minor DUI Charge
In all cases, there are alternative pleas to fight a criminal conviction.
Alternatives to Community Service
A lot of the time, even if pleading guilty, there are ways to reduce community service orders. An example of this might be completing a prolonged drug and alcohol treatment, to show respect and remorse for your mistake.
Take Your Case to Trial
If you believe that you are innocent in your minor DUI case, you can take your case to court. If this is the case, then we advise that you have capable legal representation with you, as the law in these matters can be very tricky.
A DUI attorney in Oklahoma City from Cannon & Associates has the experience needed to help you with a case you want to take to trial. You should contact them as soon as possible, so they have plenty of time to thoroughly review your case and build a strong and solid defense.
Post-Trial Appeals and Sentencing
Our law firm will fight aggressively to help secure a reduced sentence, whether that’s less community service, a reduced fine, or even less time in jail.
DUI charges can carry severe consequences. For minors, you will have to hold this conviction for up to 5 years on your criminal record. This can have a huge impact on your life, so contact a DUI lawyer to help minimize the effect today.
Contact Cannon & Associates Law Firm
All criminal convictions must be taken with the utmost seriousness. Minor DUI charges are no different, so you should seek representation immediately after being charged. Seeking legal counsel will also give you the best possible chance of receiving a reduced sentence, or even getting your case dismissed altogether.
Whether it’s personal injury, family law, or criminal defense lawyers that you need, we are here to serve you. We can provide you with decades of experience, skill, and endless resources.
John Cannon, the founder of Cannon & Associates, is a member of the Oklahoma County Bar Association. The County Bar Association helps to improve the administration of justice throughout your area, so if you are looking for the best legal assistance, then look no further than Cannon & Associates. If you need legal representation for a minor DUI offense, a DUI charge, or any other criminal charge, then you should call our law offices to speak to an experienced Oklahoma City DUI attorney now. You can get in touch with us by calling 405-591-3935.