A criminal conviction can follow a person for years after the incident. Some convictions can affect where people can live, limit future job opportunities and include jail or prison sentences. Some convictions, like drunk driving convictions, can result in the loss of a person's driver's license and a negative impact on his or her reputation.
One 14-year-old Oregon girl may now deal with many of these repercussions after being charged with drunk driving. According to police, while driving in Portland, a car flipped over on Interstate 5. Allegedly, inside the car was the girl, another 16-year-old girl and a 51-year-old man. Police claim that the 14-year-old was not only driving, but that she was driving under the influence.
After the accident, both of the girls were taken to a local hospital. The man refused to be treated and was released. Police claim that his driver's license was previously suspended. The 16-year-old was not charged with any crime by the police. However, the 14-year-old was charged with driving without a license, minor in possession of alcohol and DUI.
In order to avoid some of the long-term consequences that can accompany drunk driving charges, this girl will want to retain an attorney to defend her against these charges. Police will need to show that she was actually choosing to drink and drive. If this girl was influenced or forced by the man in the car then she may have a strong defense against these charges.
Furthermore, in all drunk driving cases, police need to prove that the person was actually driving drunk. They need to present evidence that people had been drinking and that their blood alcohol level was actually above the legal limit.
Source: WTVR, "Oregon 14-year-old busted for DUI," Nick Dutton, Oct. 1, 2012
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