Underage DUI in Oklahoma

August 18, 2019

Similar to a DUI charged against an adult, an underage DUI criminalizes the actions of a driver who operates or is in actual physical control of a motor vehicle while intoxicated. However, underage DUI by someone under 21 involves two violations: illegal consumption/possession of alcohol and driving while intoxicated. As the State would like to deter such behavior, violations involving underage DUI in Oklahoma are subject to strict laws and penalties. Much like driving under the influence, underage drinking and driving is a significant problem in the United States. Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death among youth ages 15 to 20. The rate of fatal crashes among alcohol-involved drivers between 16 and 20 years old is more than twice the rate for alcohol-involved drivers 21 and older. <h2>Zero Tolerance Laws</h2> In order to reduce the number of underage drivers involved in alcohol-related crashes, Oklahoma joined many other states in passing “zero tolerance” laws which make it illegal for an underage driver to operate a vehicle after consuming any amount of alcohol. These zero tolerance laws derive from the Federal Zero Tolerance Bill, which was enacted to discourage drunk driving among minors. The bill requires that all states make it illegal for a minor to drive with a blood alcohol level of .02 percent or higher. A summary of the Federal Zero Tolerance Policy can be viewed here. <a href="http://dui.findlaw.com/dui-laws-resources/underage-dui-zero-tolerance-laws.html">http://dui.findlaw.com/dui-laws-resources/underage-dui-zero-tolerance-laws.html</a> Underage DUI in Oklahoma Statute; Title 47 § 11-906 It is unlawful, and punishable as provided in subsection B of this section, for any person under twenty-one (21) years of age to drive, operate, or be in actual physical control of a motor vehicle within this state who: Has any measurable quantity of alcohol in the person’s blood or breath at the time of a test administered within two (2) hours after an arrest of the person; Exhibits evidence of being under the influence of any other intoxicating substance as shown by analysis of a specimen of the person’s blood, breath, saliva, or urine in accordance with the provisions of Sections 752 and 759 of this title; or Exhibits evidence of the combined influence of alcohol and any other intoxicating substance. Any person under twenty-one (21) years of age who violates any provision of this section shall be subject to the seizure of the driver license of that person at the time of arrest or detention and the person, upon conviction, shall be guilty of operating or being in actual physical control of a motor vehicle while under the influence while under age and shall be punished: For a first conviction, by: a fine of not less than One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) nor more than Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00), assignment to and completion of twenty (20) hours of community service, requiring the person to attend and complete a treatment program, or any combination of fine, community service, or treatment; Upon a second conviction, by: assignment to and completion of not less than two hundred forty (240) hours of community service, and the requirement, after the conclusion of the mandatory revocation period, to install an ignition interlock device or devices, as provided by subparagraph n of paragraph 1 of subsection A of Section 991a of Title 22 of the Oklahoma Statutes, for a period of not less than thirty (30) days. In addition, a second conviction may be punished by a fine of not less than One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) nor more than One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00), or by requiring the person to attend and complete a treatment program, as recommended by the assessment required pursuant to subparagraph c of paragraph 2 of subsection D of this section, or by both; or Upon a third or subsequent conviction, by: assignment to and completion of not less than four hundred eighty (480) hours of community service, and the requirement, after the conclusion of the mandatory revocation period, to install an ignition interlock device or devices, as provided by subparagraph n of paragraph 1 of subsection A of Section 991a of Title 22 of the Oklahoma Statutes, for a period of not less than thirty (30) days. In addition, a third or subsequent conviction may be punished by a fine of not less than One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) nor more than Two Thousand Dollars ($2,000.00), or by requiring the person to attend and complete a treatment program, as recommended by the assessment required pursuant to subparagraph c of paragraph 2 of subsection D of this section, or by both. The court may assess additional community service hours in lieu of any fine specified in this section. In addition to any penalty or condition imposed pursuant to the provisions of this section, the person shall be subject to: Upon a first conviction: the cancellation or denial of driving privileges as ordered by the court pursuant to subsection B of Section 6-107.1 of this title, the mandatory revocation of driving privileges pursuant to Section 6-205.1, 753 or 754 of this title, which revocation period may be modified as provided by law, and the continued installation of an ignition interlock device or devices, at the expense of the person, as provided in subsection D of Section 6-212.3 of this title, after the mandatory period of cancellation, denial or revocation for a period as provided in paragraph 1 of subsection A of Section 6-212.3 of this title; Upon a second conviction: the cancellation or denial of driving privileges, as ordered by the court pursuant to subsection B of Section 6-107.2 of this title, the mandatory revocation of driving privileges pursuant to Section 6-205.1, 753 or 754 of this title, which period may be modified as provided by law, an assessment of the person’s degree of alcohol abuse, in the same manner as prescribed in subsection H of Section 11-902 of this title, which may result in treatment as deemed appropriate by the court, and the continued installation of an ignition interlock device or devices, at the expense of the person, as provided in subsection D of Section 6-212.3 of this title, after the mandatory period of cancellation, denial or revocation for a period as provided in paragraph 2 of subsection A of Section 6-212.3 of this title; and Upon a third or subsequent conviction: the cancellation or denial of driving privileges as ordered by the court pursuant to subsection B of Section 6-107.2 of this title, the mandatory revocation of driving privileges pursuant to Section 6-205.1, 753 or 754 of this title, which period may be modified as provided by law, an assessment of the person’s degree of alcohol abuse, in the same manner as prescribed in subsection H of Section 11-902 of this title, which may result in treatment as deemed appropriate by the court, and the continued installation of an ignition interlock device or devices, at the expense of the person, as provided in subsection D of Section 6-212.3 of this title, after the mandatory period of cancellation, denial, or revocation for a period as provided in paragraph 3 of subsection A of Section 6-212.3 of this title. Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit the filing of charges pursuant to Section 761 or 11-902 of this title when the facts warrant. As used in this section: The term “conviction” includes a juvenile delinquency adjudication by a court; and The term “revocation” includes the cancellation or denial of driving privileges by the Department. If you have questions regarding Underage DUI in Oklahoma, contact one of our Tulsa DUI lawyers for a consultation.