If you are under age 21 and have any detectable amount of alcohol in your system while operating a motor vehicle in a public place, what might you be charged with?

If you are under age 21 and have any detectable amount of alcohol in your system while operating a motor vehicle, you may be charged with "Driving under the influence of alcohol by a minor." This reflects the zero-tolerance policy that many states, including Texas, have regarding alcohol consumption by individuals under the legal drinking age. The law is designed to discourage underage drinking and driving, as even a small amount of alcohol can impair a person's ability to drive safely.

This charge applies specifically because it focuses on minors, who are not legally allowed to consume alcohol at all, and thus even the smallest amount can lead to legal consequences when driving. Being under 21 means that there is a strict liability for any detectable alcohol, which is significantly different from the situation for individuals who are over 21, where a certain blood alcohol content threshold must be met for charges of Driving While Intoxicated (DWI).

Charges like public intoxication, intoxication manslaughter, and intoxication assault relate to broader concerns about alcohol impairment and public safety but do not directly apply to the specific context of a minor having any alcohol in their system while driving, which is uniquely addressed by the DUI charge for minors.