We all know that the legal drinking age in New Jersey is 21. Since it is illegal for a person under 21 to buy liquor, a different category applies to underage drinkers whose blood-alcohol concentration is .01% to .07%. If the underage drinker’s blood alcohol level is .08% or above then the person is guilty of DWI just like someone 21 or older.

An underage drinker, even if not legally under the influence like an adult (.08% blood alcohol reading or greater) is subject to a driver’s license suspension of between 30 and 90 days and must perform community service for a period of not less than 15 nor more than 90 days. If the underage drinker does not have a full license at the time of the offense, he or she will be prohibited from obtaining a license for a period of not less than 30 nor more than 90 days, beginning on the date the underage drinker becomes eligible for a license or the date of conviction, whichever is later.

It goes without saying that anyone under 21 should not consume any amount of liquor and drive. Similarly, and even more obvious is that anyone should not operate a motor vehicle after taking any illegal controlled dangerous substance including marijuana