A DUI is a serious criminal offense, with consequences ranging from loss of license to jail time. If the individual is underage, additional charges can lead to extra punishments. As any DUI lawyer will tell you, as the parent of a teenager charged with drinking and driving, your primary concern should be mitigating the long-term consequences in a way that minimizes the impact on your son’s or daughter’s future.

Get an Attorney to Mitigate Penalties

• Probation of up to five years
• Fines in the thousands
• Jail time up to one year
• Loss of driving license

Clearly, a DUI is not to be taken lightly. Consult an attorney as soon as possible. While they likely can’t get your kid off the hook completely, they can mitigate the consequences. For instance, they can make a case to get probation with community service instead of jail time, arguing that the latter will interrupt their schooling.

Focus on the Future

As a parent, it can be tempting to get angry with your teen when they are charged with a DUI—maybe even to the extent that you want to leave them to solve the problem for themselves. Remember that your child’s future is on the line. Hire a DUI lawyer on their behalf to help keep it bright.

Focus on using the moment as a teaching opportunity. Make it clear to your child just how bad the consequences could have been. The ultimate goal is to ensure that they make smarter choices in the years to come—and that this is a one-time occurrence. A second incident could result in a more serious charge, like a felony, which will result in a lifetime record.

If your teenage child is facing a drinking and driving charge, trust Michael A. Newland Law Office to help. Located in Hamilton, OH, this DUI lawyer is known for giving personalized attention to every case and aggressively fighting for his clients. Find out more about this law firm and its practice areas, from how to make a will to establishing power of attorney, online. For an appointment with a DUI lawyer, call (513) 887-9595.