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Appeal Underage Drinking & Driving Violations
Statistics show that underage drivers are less likely to drive after drinking but if they do, they are a bigger risk for crashing and/or having driving violations. The reason for this could be that underage drivers are inexperienced with drinking, with driving and with a combination of both. |
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A summary offense is any minor crime and these petty crimes are initially heard and decided by a district justice. Summary crimes include speeding, illegal parking and going through a red light. However, underage drinking coupled with driving violations is not a summary offense. Underage drinking and driving violations are misdemeanors. Although, underage drinking by itself is a non-traffic summary offense.
If you get arrested for underage drinking a driving violation, you need the assistance and advice of the best criminal defense lawyer you can find. Your criminal defense lawyer will advise you on the maximum punishment that can be imposed on for underage drinking and driving violation. In most cases, the offense is treated as a class two misdemeanor. Based on the number of prior convictions on your record, you can end up receiving up to 60 days in jail. However, in most instances, a probationary sentence is meted out by district judges.
If you are convicted of underage drinking and traffic violation, you will have 10 days within which you can appeal you case. The case then goes to the Superior Court and you will receive a jury trial. Further, if you are convicted in court, your driving license will get suspended for 12 months by the Department of Motor Vehicles. Many times your license revocation cannot be avoided if you receive a Pray for Judgment or a PJC. If you do not have a PJC, you can get limited driving privilege which will allow you to drive to school or work during the 12 month suspension period.
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