Underage DUI Attorney in St. Petersburg
Protecting Your Child After a DUI Charge—Leverage Our Former Prosecutor Background
When a young person is arrested for drinking and driving, it can feel like their entire future is suddenly at risk. Parents worry about school, college, jobs, and even family reputation. At Plotnick Law Offices, we help families navigate underage DUI charges with a calm, deliberate approach.
Our criminal defense team has more than 35 years of combined experience handling DUI and related charges for young drivers. Some of our attorneys are former prosecutors, so we understand how the State builds these cases and what options may be available in Pinellas County. We work to protect both your child’s record and their future.
From our office in St. Petersburg, we guide families through each step of the process. If your child is facing a DUI, you do not have to figure this out alone. Call (727) 619-1827 or reach out online to speak with an underage DUI attorney about your situation.
Understanding Underage DUI Laws in Florida
Florida’s approach to underage drinking and driving is split into two distinct paths: administrative and criminal. It is vital to understand that a minor can face penalties even if they do not feel "impaired."
- The 0.02% Standard (Zero Tolerance): For drivers under 21, it is unlawful to operate a vehicle with a blood-alcohol level (BAL) of 0.02% or higher. For most young adults, this level can be reached after less than one standard drink. This is an administrative violation, not a criminal one, but it results in an immediate license suspension.
- The 0.08% Standard (Criminal DUI): If an underage driver has a BAL of 0.08% or higher, they are no longer just facing a Zero Tolerance violation. They can be arrested and prosecuted under Florida’s standard criminal DUI statute (F.S. 316.193), the same as an adult.
- Actual Physical Control: Under Florida law, your child doesn't even have to be driving to be charged. If they are in the driver's seat with the keys—even if the car is parked—they are considered to be in "actual physical control" of the vehicle.
As a St. Petersburg underage DUI lawyer, we scrutinize the initial stop. If the officer lacked a valid reason to pull your child over, any evidence gathered afterward—including the breath test results—may be inadmissible.
Why Choose Plotnick Law Offices?
Experience, Commitment, and Personalized Care
As a former prosecutor, we understand how to build strong cases. Our hands-on approach ensures you’re supported every step of the way.
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Experience That Matters
Led by a former prosecutor, Plotnick Law Offices offers unique insights and strategic advantages for every case. Our deep understanding of the legal system ensures that we can effectively advocate for your rights and best interests.
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Relentless Preparation
Success begins with preparation. We leave no stone unturned when investigating and building your case, ensuring that every detail is thoroughly examined to strengthen your position.
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Hands-On Advocacy
When you choose Plotnick Law Offices, you’ll work directly with an experienced attorney from start to finish. We don’t shuffle clients between attorneys—you’ll always have consistent and reliable guidance.
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Personalized Representation
At Plotnick Law Offices, we prioritize building strong, lasting relationships with our clients. We take the time to understand your unique needs and goals, ensuring that your case strategy is tailored to achieve the best possible outcome for you.
Why St. Petersburg Families Choose Plotnick Law
When a child is charged with DUI, parents are not only looking for legal knowledge, they are looking for someone they can trust with their family’s well-being. At Plotnick Law Offices, we take that responsibility seriously.
Our attorneys bring more than three decades of combined experience to each underage DUI case. Because members of our team previously served as prosecutors, we have insight into how cases are evaluated in the State Attorney’s Office.
We know that juvenile cases involve more than criminal penalties. They involve school discipline, driving privileges, and family dynamics. We listen carefully to your concerns, explain possible paths forward, and tailor our approach so you understand how each decision could affect your child’s future.
With offices in St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Bradenton, and Tampa, we are accessible to families throughout this part of Florida. We also maintain regular communication by phone and email, so you are not left wondering what is happening with the case.
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“I cannot thank you enough for your help, Marc, honestly. I made a stupid mistake and it took you no time to take care of the situation.”- Frank M.
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“I would definitely recommend them to someone in need of any attorney services.”- Priestly V.
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“He is compassionate and helpful.”- Carolyn A.
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“In the end, the result was way over my expectations.”- J. Hughes
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“Quick to respond to communications and always kept me informed during the entire process.”- Michael K.
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“I truly appreciate everything he did and his communication with me was greatly appreciated.”- Tawna L.
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“Nothing is worse than waiting around wondering what’s going to happen to you, which didn’t happen at all after hiring Marc.”- Jared
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“When I tell you they treat you like family, that's no lie!”- Jeffrey B.
Want to learn more about the team behind your case? Visit our About page to meet Marc F. Plotnick and Paul S. Horning, and discover how their experience can make a difference for you.
The St. Petersburg Legal Process for Underage DUI
If your child is stopped for DUI in Pinellas County, the clock starts ticking immediately. You generally have only 10 days from the date of the citation to challenge the administrative suspension.
- The 10-Day Window: The citation your child received acts as a temporary permit for 10 days. During this time, we must request a "Formal Review Hearing" with the DHSMV to fight the suspension.
- The Formal Review Hearing: This is a mini-trial where we cross-examine the arresting officer. If we win, your child’s license is reinstated immediately.
- Arraignment: For criminal charges, this is the first court appearance. We enter a plea of "not guilty" and begin the discovery process.
- Discovery and Pre-Trial: We demand all evidence, including dash-cam and body-cam footage from the St. Petersburg police. We look for signs that your child’s faculties were not impaired.
- Juvenile Diversion: In some cases, we can negotiate for your child to enter a diversion program. Upon successful completion, the criminal charges are dismissed, allowing for the record to be sealed.
After a juvenile DUI or under-21 DUI arrest, the first hours and days can be overwhelming for parents. Key steps include ensuring your child’s safety, gathering citations or paperwork, and advising your child not to discuss the incident with anyone but you and an attorney. Documenting the events, noting deadlines, and contacting a St. Petersburg underage DUI lawyer early can protect your child’s rights and help you navigate court and license-related issues effectively.
How Our DUI Attorneys Defend Young Drivers
Defending an underage DUI charge is not just about challenging a breath test or questioning a traffic stop. It is also about understanding the young person behind the charge and the life they have ahead of them. At Plotnick Law Offices, we take time to learn about your child’s school, work, family responsibilities, and goals so we can advocate with that larger picture in mind.
Our attorneys carefully review the circumstances of each stop, including why the officer pulled the vehicle over, how field sobriety exercises were conducted, and whether testing equipment was used properly. We also consider whether age or inexperience may have influenced how your child responded to law enforcement. This attention to detail helps us identify potential legal issues that could affect how the case proceeds.
Because some members of our team previously worked as prosecutors, we understand how an underage DUI attorney in St. Petersburg might be evaluated by the State. Throughout the case, you and your child work with the same attorney, not a rotating series of lawyers. This continuity allows us to build a deeper understanding of your family’s concerns and to keep communication clear. We stay in contact about developments, explain hearings and paperwork, and are available to answer questions as they arise.
Talk To A St. Petersburg Underage DUI Lawyer
An underage DUI is a serious event, but it does not have to define your child’s life. With informed guidance, many families are able to navigate this process in a way that protects important opportunities and minimizes long-term impact. Taking the next step now can make a real difference.
At Plotnick Law Offices, we bring decades of criminal defense experience, former prosecutor insight, and a commitment to continuity of representation to each case. From our office in St. Petersburg, we work closely with parents and young drivers to explain options, prepare for court, and pursue outcomes that reflect the full story of your child’s life, not just a single night.
To discuss your child’s situation with an underage DUI attorney and learn how we can help, call (727) 619-1827 or reach out online now.