Denver DUI Defense Attorney
At the law office of Fife, Mangnall & Mossinghoff, PC, we have represented adults and juveniles facing serious charges for drunk driving. The penalties can be serious for anyone charged with a DUI or DWAI. However, for minors, a conviction can be devastating - for the teen and the parent. As experienced criminal defense lawyers, we have seen teens face the challenges of DUI charges, underage drinking charges, and drug use charges. While we are here to provide aggressive defense representation, we also offer advice for parents regarding teen drug use, alcohol use, and underage drinking and driving.
If you have questions about a DUI case, about teen drug or alcohol use, or need quality legal representation for your minor child, contact our law office in Denver, Colorado and speak with an experienced lawyer.
According to the Washington Regional Alcohol Program (WRAP):
Ten Tips for Parents to Deter Underage Drinking and Drunk Driving Include:
- Talk with Your Teen
- Provide Structure
- Host a Party
- Foster Self Confidence
- Lay Down the Law
- Ensure Safety
- Beware of Your Civil Liability
- Be a Role Model
- Be a Safe Boater
- Don't Wait
Talk with Your Teen... Studies time and time again have confirmed that parents can have a significant - if not most significant - impact as to whether their teens will engage in risky behaviors including the use of alcohol. Talk openly to your teen about alcohol. Create clear family rules and expectations by setting a "no alcohol" rule and supporting such an environment with "zero-tolerance" consequences if such rules are broken.
Provide Structure... The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse found that teen children of "absentee parents" were four-times more likely to abuse substances than children in highly-structured homes." Find a responsible adult, neighbor, relative or friend who can look in on your child or share the responsibility for creating activities for your children. The National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign suggests you give your teens tasks (cooking dinner, doing chores, etc.) and make sure these tasks get done.
Host a Party... Host a teen party in your own home following clearly-stated guidelines of no drugs or alcohol including: not serving beverages in easily-tampered cups but in cans or bottles; asking another parent to help chaperone; when a guest leaves, do not allow them to return; make your presence known; and if you suspect that a guest has used alcohol or drugs, contact their parents immediately.
Foster Self Confidence... Instill self-confidence in your teen by talking with them about peer pressure. At some point, your teen will be offered alcohol. As the National Institutes of Health points out, "teens say they prefer quick 'one-liners' that allow them to dodge a drink without making a big scene." In addition, encourage and praise your teen for the good things they do. Participate in their lives and know what they're doing and with whom.
Lay Down the Law... Colorado has zero tolerance law making it a crime to possess, transport or purchase alcohol if you're under 21. In addition, teen drivers face a one-year driver's license suspension, even first-time teens convicted of DUI in that state.
Ensure Safety... Even if you have every confidence in the world that your teen won't drink alcohol, if he or she is out with someone who has made the mistake of illegally drinking, don't compound it by either making a second mistake of having him or her drive under the influence or driving with an impaired driver.
Beware of Your Civil Liability... In most cases, it's unlawful for parents to allow their children's friends to consume alcohol in their home. If these same "friends" are later involved in a crash, the providing parents may be responsible for injuries, property damages and wrongful death. These same parents may also face criminal charges of contributing to the delinquency of a minor.
Be a Role Model... Parents, themselves, should be good role models by making sure their behavior is appropriate. Use alcohol moderately, serve as a responsible host and never drink and drive.
Be a Safe Boater... Don't overlook area waterways as another venue where advanced planning and safety is paramount as 50-percent of all boating deaths are alcohol-related according to the U.S. Coast Guard.
Don't Wait... If you suspect that your child is drinking, intervene. Talk to your child and obtain qualified professional help if necessary. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services found that harsh, inconsistent discipline and hostility or rejection toward children has also been found to significantly predict adolescent drinking and alcohol-related problems. Set clear expectations and be consistent with discipline for rules not followed.
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