Teenagers make mistakes. But in Texas, some mistakes come with a criminal record, a suspended license, and a judge lecturing you in court. If you’re under 21 and caught driving after drinking anything or with even a trace of weed in your system, the state is ready to hit you with charges. Texas doesn’t care if you felt fine to drive. It doesn’t matter if you had just one beer or took a hit hours ago. The law is the law, and for minors, that law is brutal.
Zero Tolerance for Alcohol: No .08 BAC Needed
Texas’ “Zero Tolerance” rule means that if you’re under 21 and any alcohol shows up in your system while driving, you’re getting charged. Unlike adults, who need to hit a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08 to be legally drunk, minors don’t get that cushion. If a breathalyzer, blood test, or even a cop’s observations suggest you’ve been drinking, you’re facing a DUI by a Minor charge.
A first offense comes with:
- Up to a $500 fine
- A mandatory alcohol awareness course
- 20 to 40 hours of community service
- A 60-day license suspension
Repeat offenses? Expect longer suspensions, higher fines, and tougher penalties. Now, if your BAC hits 0.08 or higher, you’re in DWI territory—which comes with harsher punishments, including possible jail time. And yes, you can get hit with both charges at once.
Weed and Driving: Still a Crime, No Matter How “Fine” You Feel
Texas law doesn’t differentiate between alcohol and other intoxicants when it comes to impaired driving. If a cop thinks you’re high behind the wheel—based on field sobriety tests, the smell of weed, or even your vibe—you could be charged with DWI (Driving While Intoxicated).
A first-time DWI involving weed can lead to:
- Up to a $2,000 fine
- 3 to 180 days in jail
- A suspended license
Even if you weren’t driving, possession of marijuana is its own crime. Less than two ounces? That’s a Class B misdemeanor, carrying up to:
- A $2,000 fine
- 180 days in jail
- A criminal record that can haunt your future
And if you’re caught with more? Felony charges, prison time, and life-altering consequences start creeping in.
What Comes Next
The punishment doesn’t stop when you leave the courthouse. Texas doesn’t wait around. Your license can be suspended before your case is even resolved. And once it’s gone, getting it back won’t be easy.
A DUI or DWI also makes you a high-risk driver. That means skyrocketing insurance rates—if your provider doesn’t drop you altogether.
Juvenile vs. Adult Court
- Under 17? You’ll likely go through the juvenile system, which focuses on rehab but still comes with strict penalties.
- 17 or older? You’re in the adult system, and the courts won’t go easy on you just because you’re barely legal.
Charged with a DUI or DWI? Fight Back.
Even a misdemeanor can wreck college plans, scholarships, and job opportunities. Criminal records don’t disappear on their own, and sealing or expunging them isn’t always an option.
Texas is tough on underage drinking and drug use—but that doesn’t mean every charge sticks. Breathalyzers malfunction. Field sobriety tests are flawed. Cops overreach. If you or your teen has been charged with a DUI, DWI, or possession, you need someone who fights the government every day.
Call Ryan Brown Attorney at Law, P.L.L.C. at (806) 372-5711. Because one mistake shouldn’t ruin your future.
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