If you are under 21 and arrested for DUI in Highland Park, Texas, the charge can be confusing from the start. Texas treats DUI differently from DWI, so understanding which offense you are actually facing matters. A DUI allegation involving a minor may arise when any detectable amount of alcohol is found while that person is operating a vehicle in a public place.

Why A Texas DUI Charge Is Different

Texas follows a zero-tolerance rule for drivers under 21. That means a minor does not need to have a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08% to face a DUI allegation. The legal issue is whether alcohol was detectable while the minor was driving. 

DWI is different because it concerns intoxication rather than simply the presence of alcohol. A person under 21 can also face a DWI charge if the circumstances support an allegation of intoxication. For that reason, the exact charge on your paperwork matters.

What Your Arrest Does Not Decide

Being arrested does not establish that you committed the offense. The prosecution must still prove the charge, and questions may arise about what happened before the arrest.

An attorney may examine whether the traffic stop had a lawful basis. They can also look at how officers determined that alcohol was present if that issue affects the charge.

If you are trying to understand what a DUI attorney in Highland Park may do in this situation, the starting point is identifying the actual allegation. The Medlin Law Firm can help explain whether you are facing DUI or a different alcohol-related driving charge.

Your Driving Privileges May Also Be Affected

A DUI case involving a minor can create consequences for your driver’s license. Those consequences may develop separately from what happens with the criminal charge. 

That distinction can matter because different procedures may have different deadlines. Legal counsel may help you understand which process applies so you can respond to each issue appropriately.

The Medlin Law Firm Can Protect Your Legal Position

A DUI allegation can affect more than the immediate arrest, especially when you are still under 21. The Medlin Law Firm may review how the stop occurred and consider whether the evidence supports the specific charge being pursued.

Their attorneys can also explain the difference between DUI and DWI when that distinction affects your case. If your driving privileges are at issue, they may discuss what legal steps could be available based on your circumstances.

The Medlin Law Firm
2550 Pacific Ave #866
Dallas, TX 75226
(214) 888-4810

Most importantly, The Medlin Law Firm can help you understand what the prosecution must prove before you make decisions about your case. From their Dallas office, they may assist you with responding to a DUI allegation in Highland Park while protecting the rights available to you under Texas law.