It is illegal for anyone under the age of 21 to buy or drink alcohol without parental or adult supervision. For those above the legal age, although drinking itself is legal, driving under the influence can still result in major consequences. Not only does this apply to underage drinkers, but various other consequences can happen. If you have a teen, especially one that can drive or is about to, they should only be able to drink under your watch.
Underage drinking can result in severe consequences if you’re not careful.
What Can Happen to the Underage Caught Drinking
Aside from the legal consequences, underage drinking can also affect your teen physically and mentally. Studies show that binge drinkers tend to engage in risky behaviors. Usually, drinking leads to some bad decision-making that they’ll regret when sober. This point is valid for both legal and underage drinkers.
In the U.S., teen drinking can result in legal consequences that can stay with them throughout their lives. These consequences can be fines, jail time, community service, or driver’s license suspension. And, in the worst-case scenario, they may live with the trauma of accidentally harming or killing someone while under the influence.
Of course, the legalities don’t end with just your teen. The parent and guardians of teens can also suffer legal consequences if unsupervised underage drinking happens on their property. Or, to be more specific, you may be held responsible for any injuries or deaths that your teen causes under the influence if they drank at your place.
Insurance companies are also strict about underage drinking. If your teen is brought in for underage drinking, they may lose more than their license. Your insurance company may also drop your entire family’s coverage.
Texas, in particular, has a no-tolerance policy when it comes to underage drinking and driving. It is illegal for anyone under the legal age to drive with any amount of alcohol in their system. Illegal underage drinking and driving can result in jail, fines, temporary license suspension, mandatory courses, and up to five years of probation. And once it’s on your teen’s record, it’ll be more difficult to apply for college, jobs, and scholarships since it’ll show up on their background checks.
Don’t deal with your teen’s arrest on your own; call ASAP Bail Bonds now!
Get Out of Jail & Stay in School
Knowing the consequences is different from experiencing them for yourself. Your teen may find themselves behind bars one night. Although the shock may teach them not to do it again, you also don’t want to leave your teen there by themselves.
When you need someone to help you post bail for a beloved family member, contact ASAP Bail Bonds. Our legal system can be confusing for those who don’t know the ins and outs of it. Our professional bail bond agents can help you throughout the bail process. Whether you want advice or are looking for someone to handle it as soon as possible, our agents are the ones for the job.
Call us today to get your teen back home. Or visit any of our three locations to speak directly with one of our bail bond agents. We’re here to help you bring your family member back home.