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Oregon DUI Laws For Minors

Underage drinking is a problem nationwide. However, in Oregon, it has become costly and measures are taken against it. It can cause suicide, homicide, drowning, traumatic accidents, violent crimes, fetal alcohol syndrome, high risk sex, and alcohol poisoning. So, measures had to be taken to curtail these tragedies. Now, all states have made it illegal for a person under the age of 21 to possess alcohol. Oregon has stiff laws against underage drinking and imposed harsh penalties for those drive under the influence and are under the age of 21. Concerning drinking laws, any person under the age of 21 is considered a minor.

 
 

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Also, it is said that alcohol can adversely affect the brain of a developing person. This is why it is argued that the legal age for drinking should be raised to 21. Likewise, it is argued that the social stigma that you suffer if you were to be arrested for DUI while under the age of 21 is great. It can wreck your life at such an early age. Plus, drinking at a young age leads to drinking during an older age as well.

In Oregon, like in other states, a minor can be tried as an adult.

Laws against DUI for minors in Oregon

  • The 21 law: This requires that the legal age of drinking to be 21. Since most college students are between the ages of 18 to 22, this should combat the problem quite a bit.
  • For a first time DUI conviction and beyond, if you have a child under 18 in your car and was 3 years younger than you, you could face a fine of up to $10,000. Plus, you would have to perform 80 hours of community service. You could also do time of 48 hours minimum up to 1 year. Plus, your license may get suspended for a year. After suspension, you would have to endure an ignition interlock device put on your car.
  • For a second time DUI conviction, if you have a child under 18 in your car and was 3 years younger than you, you could face a fine of up to $10,000. Plus, you could be jailed for up to a year. Your license could be suspended for up to 3 years, if you are convicted within 5 years of your previous conviction. Also, you would have to endure an ignition interlock device on your car for 2 years after suspension.
  • For a third time DUI conviction, if you have a child under 18 in your car and was 3 years younger than you, you could face a fine of up to $10,000. Plus, you could be jailed for up to a year. It would be considered a Class “C” Felony Offense, if your other offenses occurred within the last 10 years. You could spend up to 5 years in jail. Your license could be permanently revoked. Also, you would have to endure an ignition interlock device put on your car for up to three years after suspension.

It should be mentioned that Oregon has a ZERO tolerance for DUIs under the age of 21. A BAC of .02 could get you in trouble. So, it is truly better not to drink and drive.