Underage DUI

Underage DUI Lawyer in Honolulu

Protecting the Future of Young Drivers Throughout Oʻahu

An arrest for an underage DUI is a frightening experience for both young drivers and their parents. It is a common misconception that a driver under the age of 21 who is stopped with alcohol in their system will receive a traffic ticket or a minor slap on the wrist. 

In reality, the state treats underage drinking and driving with an aggressive, zero-tolerance approach. If you face an underage Operating a Vehicle Under the Influence of an Intoxicant (OVUII) charge, you are up against a system designed to impose swift, restrictive penalties. 

To protect your educational opportunities, driving privileges, and clean record, you need a highly focused DUI defense attorney who knows how to effectively disrupt the state's case. Law Office of Brian S. Kim serves clients across Honolulu, Pearl City, Waimalu, East Honolulu, and all of Oʻahu, bringing a sophisticated, trial-prepared mindset to every youth-focused defense.

Schedule a complimentary in-office or virtual consultation with our Honolulu underage DUI attorney by contacting a team member online or at (808) 207-7192. Available 24/7.

Call Us Today to Speak with our Honolulu Underage DUI Lawyer

Don’t let a youthful mistake or a procedural oversight dictate the trajectory of your young person’s life. Put an experienced trial lawyer in your corner who understands how to navigate the complex juvenile and adult court systems.

Our firm understands the stress and worry you are under; we work diligently to help you achieve the best possible future for your son or daughter. 

Call (808) 207-7192 or reach out online for a free case evaluation today. 

  • “Thanks to his hard work, we had a great outcome.”
    “We’re incredibly thankful to Lawyer Brian Kim for the amazing job he did representing our son.”
    - Satisfied Client
  • “Brian is Awesome.”
    “Very easy-going and handled everything like a true professional.”
    - Tory W.
  • “They will help you with your problems and make them go away.”
    “This was an amazing relief and amazing work by the Brian Kim Office, I highly recommend anyone dealing with traffic or speeding lawsuits.”
    - Jalen Y.
  • “I was satisfied with the outcome of my case!”
    “Highly recommend him to friends and family!”
    - JD
/

Why Choose Law Office of Brian S. Kim?

  • Free Initial Consultation
    Get clear answers about your legal options at no cost. Speak directly with an experienced defense attorney and learn how we can help protect your future.
  • Former Prosecutor Advantage
    Benefit from the unique insight of attorney Brian S. Kim, a former Honolulu deputy prosecuting attorney who understands how prosecutors build cases and how to challenge them effectively.
  • Dedicated Criminal & DUI Defense
    Whether you're facing DUI, drug charges, assault allegations, theft accusations, or other criminal offenses, we fight aggressively to protect your rights and future.
  • Traffic Ticket & License Protection
    From speeding and reckless driving citations to serious traffic violations, we work to minimize penalties and help you keep your driving privileges.

How We Work to Shield Your Young Driver’s Record

Under Hawaii’s zero-tolerance law, it is strictly illegal for anyone under the age of 21 to operate a motor vehicle or moped with any measurable amount of alcohol in their system. If a police officer detects a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.02% or higher, a limit that can be reached by consuming a single alcoholic beverage, the driver will be arrested and charged.

Furthermore, if any trace of an illicit drug or unauthorized prescription medication is discovered, the state will bypass the standard underage structure and charge the youth with an adult criminal DUI under HRS § 291E-61. 

When your teen’s future is on the line, the specific background of your attorney matters. Attorney Kim is a former Deputy Prosecuting Attorney for the City and County of Honolulu. Having evaluated countless DUI cases from the other side of the legal system, he knows how local law enforcement handles underage stops and where their investigations may be most fragile.

Our Approach to Protecting Young Drivers

Our firm implements a precise, multi-layered approach to protect young drivers.

Defeating the stop and testing procedures: Because the 0.02% threshold is microscopic, the margin for error on breathalyzers is immense. We intensely review the police department's maintenance logs and officer training records. If the officer lacked reasonable suspicion to initiate the traffic stop, or if the testing machine was improperly calibrated, we move to suppress the chemical evidence.

Navigating the parallel ADLRO process: An underage arrest triggers a parallel timeline through the Administrative Driver’s Licensing Revocation Office (ADLRO). You have a microscopic window, typically just a few days, to request a formal hearing to fight the automatic suspension of your license. We handle this administrative hearing on your behalf to protect your ability to drive to school and work. 

Pursuing alternate dispositions: Our primary directive is always to seek a dismissal of the charges. If appropriate, we use our professional experience to negotiate for alternative diversion programs, aiming to resolve the matter cleanly so that it leaves no permanent mark on the criminal record.

The Statutory Penalties for Under-21 Violations

Because Hawaii aims to deter underage, impaired driving through strict deterrents, a conviction carries mandatory, non-negotiable penalties that escalate with each offense. 

Continue Reading Read Less

The Collateral Damage: How a Conviction Threatens the Future

The immediate court fines and suspensions are only the tip of the iceberg. The true danger of an underage DUI conviction lies in the long-term, collateral damage it inflicts on a young person's emerging future.

Academic jeopardy: Many universities, including the University of Hawaiʻi system, maintain strict student codes of conduct. A DUI conviction can lead to the loss of academic scholarships, the denial of student housing, or formal suspension from university programs.

Employment obstacles: A conviction creates a permanent criminal record that will appear on standard background checks. This can disqualify young adults from securing internships, obtaining professional licenses (such as in nursing, accounting, or law), or entering the military. 

Insurance hardships: Auto insurance providers will routinely label an underage driver with a DUI as high-risk. This results in premiums skyrocketing by thousands of dollars a year or in the complete cancellation of the policy, forcing the family to seek costly SR-22 high-risk certifications to reinstate driving privileges.