It is illegal for teenagers to drink alcohol in high school or early college, but it does happen. College students may drink at an off-campus party, for example. High school students may drink on prom night.
In some cases, these teenagers are pulled over for drinking and driving as they try to return home at the end of the night. There are instances where teens believe they are not very intoxicated or that they can drive safely, even though they have been consuming alcohol. They make a poor judgment call. But one key reason behind many of these arrests is that they are nervous about calling their parents.
Fear of repercussions
A teenager may be at a party and realize that it would be unsafe to drive home. Ideally, they could call a parent to pick them up, making the road safer not only for that teenager but for everyone else.
However, many teens fear getting in trouble. They worry their parents will be angry or that they will be punished. As a result, they take the risk of driving home themselves, hoping they can hide the fact that they were drinking.
If they are stopped by the police instead of contacting their parents, the consequences are often far more serious. In the moment, though, many teens choose to take the risk, hoping to avoid negative consequences altogether. Unfortunately, many are pulled over and arrested for driving under the influence.
Legal defense options
If your child is facing alcohol-related charges and you are concerned about the impact on their future, it is important to carefully explore all available legal defense options.
