Underage drinking in Ohio is a serious issue, and I do not condone this behavior. Many poor choices can come out of minor alcohol consumption, including OVI charges or DUI charges, accidents, public intoxication charges, the loss of privileges, and even expulsion from school or college. Law enforcement here in Columbus and throughout Central Ohio take underage consumption and underage DUIs very seriously. As parents, we must also treat these underage drinking charges with seriousness and take immediate action to protect our children’s rights with a solid defense. A conviction on underage drinking charges can lead to:

• A permanent criminal record, which can affect applications to college, scholarships, as well as employment opportunities
• Loss of your child’s driver’s license and driving privileges
• Potentially heavy fines or community service

Why contact a DUI lawyer instead of simply pleading “no contest” or “guilty,” allowing your child to experience the consequences of their actions and to teach them a lesson? I have served as a prosecutor, and I understand the need to set boundaries and hold citizens accountable for their actions. However, people make mistakes. Part of becoming an adult and maturing through the teenage years includes stepping into situations which can lead to difficult choices and consequences.

Now as a criminal defense attorney, I have the opportunity to help college students and teenagers charged with underage drinking and other criminal charges to protect their interests and keep their future options open. The circumstances of each situation are different, but it may be possible to work with the campus police, a city attorney, or a prosecutor to reduce some or all of the charges, protect driving privileges and prevent the loss of a scholarship or eligibility for enrollment in a college or university. It is important to prevent a criminal record from affecting the rest of your child’s life.