Drunk driving takes far too many lives each year. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, over 4,500 people died in Pennsylvania alone between the years of 2003 and 2012 as a result of drunk driving.
In addition to life lost, drunk driving can also result in a person getting arrested. This has a significant impact on everyone, but it can be extremely detrimental for teenagers, mainly because they face jail time and fines. Their college prospects are also put into jeopardy. This can be a difficult time for the teen’s parents, but adults should take steps to try to get their child through this time. Parents will obviously want to hire an attorney, but other actions can be beneficial.
Remain calm
It is natural to feel a lot of emotions during this time, but it is vital to maintain a level head. Children look up to their parents, so adults should avoid becoming depressed or angry. There will be a time to punish the child, but that can come later once he or she is out of jail.
Write down details
For parents speaking with the kids on the phone, they should ask as many questions as they can. What was the reason the child was pulled over? Was a breathalyzer test administered? These details can come in handy if the incident makes its way to the courtroom. Additionally, parents should tell their kids over the phone not to say anything until the lawyer gets there.
Learn about the legal process
Parents who have never dealt with something like this before should educate themselves about what to do next. It is entirely possible to fight DUI charges. A legal team can fight police evidence to get charges dropped. However, the team needs to work quickly. After the parents provide bail, they need to start building a defense right away.