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As we near the end of April, we are also approaching the end of the school year. Spring brings a series of proms, and graduation parties all across North Carolina. The governor has declared April as Alcohol Abuse Awareness Month. Parents and teens alike generally know that underage drinking is prohibited under North Carolina law. And when teens and 20-year-olds drink and drive, the consequences can be increased.

Mothers Against Drunk Driving says that consequences that can arise from underage drinking– other than those in the justice system–can be severe for young adults, regardless of whether a teen drives or not. The organization says that the majority of deaths that can be linked to underage drinking do not occur in drunk driving car accidents. MADD says that 68 percent of alcohol-related fatalities are from non-traffic related causes-including murder, suicide and alcohol poisoning.

Authorities say that underage drinkers accounted for nearly ten percent of all alcohol sold in the state in 2010. Officials also say that 34 percent of high school students admitted in a survey to having consumed alcohol within the 30 days preceding the study.

The data is general data, not related just to the end of the school year. However, as prom season slides by and the graduation season approaches, many high school, and even college aged kids, may find themselves receiving a citation for underage drinking. Many drivers may face underage DUI or DWI charges as we move toward the summer months.

When it comes to driving offenses, a teen can be charged with DWI based upon the traditional concepts of DWI laws in North Carolina. But, the state has a zero tolerance for underage drivers. Essentially, any evidence of alcohol, such as a reading as low as 0.01 percent, can support an underage DUI charge in North Carolina. Underage drivers accused of drinking and driving can also expect to have their licenses suspended.

Anyone facing underage alcohol offenses in North Carolina should not take the matter lightly. Teens accused of underage possession or consumption, and especially drunk driving offenses, should consider seeking the assistance of a criminal defense lawyer to assess the allegations and devise a defense to the accusations.

Sources:

• Fuquay-Varina Independent, “April is Alcohol Abuse Awareness Month,” April 26, 2013
• KLTV 7, “Underage drinking leads to fatalities on, off roads,” Updated April 24, 2013

Greenville DUI Attorney Blog | North Carolina Underage Drinking Lawyer | Pitt County First DUI Law Firm

As the seasons roll into spring, high school proms, high school and college end-of-year parties and graduation parties are scheduled all across North Carolina. Pitt County defense lawyers know that many students can face serious underage drinking or drunk driving charges at this time of year.

Recently, the Century Council, a not-for-profit organization funded by distillers to fight underage consumption and drunk driving, conducted a study on underage alcohol issues that found parental involvement can significantly reduce incidents of underage drinking.

The study shows that today’s youth are more aware of the issues that underage drinking can bring. Researchers with the Century Council say that 83 percent of 10 to 18-year-old students who have decided to avoid alcohol made the decision after speaking with a parent about alcohol.

The study shows that most discussions about alcohol use between a parent and child arise after an event occurs, such as:

• An event reporting an alcohol-related tragedy that is reported in the news
• A movie or television program raises an alcohol-related issue
• Someone that the family knows is charged with an alcohol-related offense

But even in families where alcohol-related issues are discussed, North Carolina youth can find themselves in a situation that may lead to alcohol charges. Charges for drunk driving, or underage possession and consumption, are not a finding of guilt.

Students in North Carolina who are cited for an underage alcohol offense, underage DUI or North Carolina DWI charges may have a valid defense to the allegations. It is important for students or parent s to consider reviewing individual charges with an experienced Greenville defense attorney. Criminal charges that result in conviction are made a part of a student’s permanent criminal record if the accused is age 16 or older in North Carolina.

Source: Keloland Television, “More Teens, Parents Discussing Alcohol Risks,” Shawn Neisteadt, April 4, 2012

Greenville DUI Attorney Blog | North Carolina Underage Drinking Lawyer | Pitt County First DUI Law Firm

Springtime is the season for high school prom and graduation events in Greenville and across North Carolina. College students also seem to have more year-end parties during this time of year. It does not come as a surprise to any Greenville criminal defense lawyer that the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) says alcohol related accidents spike during the months of April, May and June each year, coinciding with the peak months for high school proms and graduation parties.

The NHTSA says car crashes are the leading cause of death for teenagers in this country. Roughly 36 percent of traffic fatalities involving 15 to 20 year olds are alcohol related car accidents. But for many teens, difficulties arise due to involvement of law enforcement and not accidents. Teens in North Carolina can face criminal charges for underage possession or consumption of alcohol. Many face charges alleging underage DUI after attending a spring party.

Parents can take note of a number of tips from the organization SADD to help reduce the risk of criminal underage DUI charges or accidents involving alcohol among the state’s teenage population during the risky period surrounding the end of the school year.

SADD recommends that parents and guardians:

• Communicate openly about the dangers of drugs and alcohol, especially at high school parties
• Do not supply teens with substances
• Know who is driving when the teens go out for the evening and what the teen’s plans include
• Do not rent a hotel room for teens for prom or graduation parties
• Communicate with other parents in your child’s circle of friends
• Stay up until the teen comes home

Teens respond to parents who communicate openly and fairly with their children. Teenagers who have open communications with their parents’ are more likely to live up to the parents’ expectations. Open communication can help a parent to reduce the risk of their child having to face alcohol related North Carolina criminal charges, not only during the spring, but year-round.

Source: Evansville Courier and Press, “Prom, graduation season accelerates dangers of underage drinking, drugs,” Nichole White 4 Apr 2011

Greenville DUI Attorney Blog | North Carolina Underage Drinking Lawyer | Pitt County First DUI Law Firm

Parents around the country have celebrated their son or daughter’s graduations by giving money, clothes, watches and parties. Now, at the parties, in between streamers and gold balloons are toasts to determination and success and then the music starts. Has the party begun yet, or is it only when the underage guests arrive half blitzed or with six pack in hand? These parents learned the hard way that despite a zero tolerance message and trusting their child, things got out of hand. Somehow, someway teens get alcohol and then everyone gets either slammed or put in the slammer. Not a good outcome.

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