Colorado enforces a “zero tolerance” law for drivers 21 years of age and younger. That means that anyone under the legal drinking age can be hit with a charge of driving under the influence (DUI) any time that they have a blood alcohol content of 0.02% or greater.
If you’re an underage driver, that doesn’t give you a lot of room for leeway. Any traffic mistake, no matter how small, could ultimately lead to a DUI arrest.
Now that it’s happened to you, how do you tell your parents that you got arrested?
If you’re thinking of trying to handle the situation on your own without telling them, it’s probably not wise. If you live at home, they’re bound to find out what happened when you aren’t driving, you have to disappear for court dates and you start getting mail about the situation.
If you’re at college or living on your own, maybe you can hide the issue for a while. However, you may eventually need their assistance either with the financial issues associated with your arrest or your defense or just with transportation.
Here are some things you should keep in mind:
- A straight-forward approach is best. Let your parents know what happened and that you’re asking for their support.
- Discuss what you’ve learned from the experience and how you intend to make sure that you never end up in a similar situation.
- Ask for their help. Talk to them about what’s going on in your life and why you think you’ve landed in this position. Parents often have good instincts and can help guide you as you look for alcohol addiction treatment as well as legal assistance.
One thing you should remember, however, is that you should only discuss the details of your DUI case with your attorney. If you want your parents involved in your case, talk the situation over with your attorney first.