As teenagers, we're constantly telling our parents that we're adults and want to be treated as such. But the ages between 18 and 21 are a tough middle ground, in part because these young adults are still not old enough to drink, but face all of the legal ramifications that other adults do if they're involved in a crime that involves drinking.
A teenager from McMinnville, Oregon, has been charged with driving under the influence of intoxicants and other offenses after police said he lost control of a car, went off the road and crashed through the garage door of a home in the city just southwest of Portland. The accident happened in the early-morning hours of July 26. Although the homeowners came out to find the car's occupants missing, its lone passenger, whose mother owned the car, returned before police arrived. He was cited for the offense of minor in possession of alcohol after being treated at a hospital.
Police found the 18-year-old driver shortly after midnight and after giving him a breath test that revealed a blood alcohol level of .24 percent, three times the legal driving limit, they charged him with DUII, hit-and-run driving, criminal mischief, reckless endangering, reckless driving and minor in possession of alcohol. Records indicate the driver has been cited for minor in possession of alcohol in the past and that his license was suspended in June.
These prior offenses, combined with his high blood alcohol level at the time of his arrest, could result in higher fines and a lower chance of being able to enter a diversion program that would expunge a drunk-driving conviction from his record. He would be well-served by an attorney who focuses on drunk-driving arrests and can successfully argue that this young man might benefit from alcohol treatment, rather than simple jail time and fines, to prevent him from falling into the same trouble in the future.
Even the homeowners might agree, having endured three previous crashes into their home. Each crash was caused by a teenager later accused of driving recklessly, and more often than not, intoxicated. They would like to see a penalty that requires the teens to come back and clean up the mess. While not a common penalty on the books, the punishment might fit the crime better than a $2,000 fine or time behind bars.
Source: Yamhill Valley News-Register, "Youngs fed up with old story," Nathalie Hardy, Aug. 1, 2012
- Our firm handles situations similar to those discussed in this post. If you would like to learn more about our practice, please visit our Portland drunk driving page.
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