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Are
there different DWI laws for minors?
Yes.
Although minors between the ages of 18 and 20 may be charged and
prosecuted under the adult DWI laws, the laws for minors differ
significantly than those for adults. There, the issue is not
whether a minor drove while intoxicated, but rather, a minor
need only to have driven while under the influence of alcohol to
be convicted (DUI). The law states that a minor commits an
offense if he operates a motor vehicle in a public place while
having any detectable amount of alcohol in the minor's
system. Furthermore, although Texas law prohibits the
prosecution and conviction of juveniles for many offenses, the
legislature has made special exceptions to prosecute juveniles
who drink alcohol and drive.
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