When police charge your teen with driving under the influence (DUI), you may have a lot to sort out at once. You may want to know why police stopped your teen, what the test results mean and whether your teen can still drive. Starting with a few basic questions can help you understand what happened and which parts of the case may matter most.
1. Why did the officer stop your teen?
You could start with what happened before the officer pulled the vehicle over. It may help to ask what your teen was doing and what reason the officer gave for the stop. If the legality of the stop later becomes an issue, those details might affect how the court treats evidence police gathered afterward.
2. What test did your teen take?
You may hear that your teen tested below 0.08% and assume that should end the issue. Federal highway safety guidance explains that zero-tolerance laws use a lower alcohol threshold for drivers under 21. South Dakota sets that threshold at 0.02%.
It might help to find out what test police used and what result they reported. That information can show you how alcohol testing relates to the charge.
3. Could your teen lose driving privileges?
Under South Dakota law, a conviction or juvenile adjudication under the under-21 rule results in a license suspension. The length depends on prior offenses under that law.
In some cases, the court may permit limited driving for work, school or counseling. You could review any license notice to see when restrictions begin and how they affect your teen.
4. What records are worth keeping?
You may want to keep the citation, test results and license notices together. Saving later court papers could also help you track important dates and new information. These records give you a reliable account of what police and the court have documented.
What to focus on now
Once you have the basic facts, you might compare the paperwork with what your teen remembers about the stop and testing. It may also help to note any court or license dates listed in those records. Learning how you can respond to the charge can give you more context for the issues your teen faces.