'Baby DUIs' To Receive Harsher Penalty In Virginia

The Washington Times reports that a new Virginia law will be one of the harshest in the country on minors caught driving under the influence.

Drivers who are caught with a "baby DUI" (being caught with a blood-alcohol content of 0.02 while under the legal drinking age) will face a a mandatory 12 month driver's license suspension, a jail sentence of up to 12 months, and a $2,500 maximum fine. The new law goes into effect July 1. The previous penalty is a minimum fine of $500 or 50 community service hours.

Delegate William Janis (R-Glen Allen), who introducted the bill, said, "Harsher penalties should go to those who choose to act recklessly."

Supporters of the new law noted that the old penalties were lighter than those for mere possession of alcoholic beverages. Under the new law, the penalties for both will be the same. Drunken driving (DUI) will be elevated to a Class 1 misdemeanor like underage possession.

Maryland and 12 other states have also adopted zero-tolerance policies.