Young people are in the habit of taking risks. Often, they don’t realize the consequences of their actions so they make some poor judgement calls. The problem is that minors between the ages of 12 and 17 have been in the habit of pushing the limits and breaking the laws for decades and states across the country have been cracking down. Arizona is no exception. Before we dive into the juvenile offenses that trigger driver license suspensions, let’s clear up the meaning of a “juvenile crime.” A juvenile crime is simply a crime that is committed by a minor (someone under the age of 18), but if an adult committed the crime, it would be punishable under state or federal law.
Driver License Suspensions Under 18
Teenagers love to drive. They take pride in obtaining their driver license and it’s usually something they waited for their entire childhood. The state knows how much kids value their driver licenses, which is why it’s one of the things the state targets to punish juveniles for breaking the law. That said, the following juvenile crimes lead to driver license suspensions in Arizona:
- Theft: Suspension until 18th birthday.
- Drug offenses: Suspension until 18th birthday.
- Possession of alcohol (first offense): Up to 180-day license suspension.
- Possession of alcohol (second offense): Two-year license suspension, or suspended license until 18th birthday.
- Underage DUI or in actual physical control of a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol: Two-year driver license suspension.
- Driving Under the Influence: Two-year license suspension.
- Extreme DUI: Two-year license suspension.
- Aggravated DUI: Three-year license suspension.
- Criminal damage (defacing property): Suspension until 18th birthday.
- Graffiti: License suspension until 18th birthday.
- Unlawful use or theft of means of transportation: Suspension until 18th birthday.
- Purchasing or possessing materials used for graffiti: Suspension until 18th birthday.
Related: Juvenile Driver License Suspensions in Arizona
Looking for a Phoenix criminal defense attorney to defend your son or daughter against juvenile charges? Contact our firm immediately for a free case evaluation.
