I am 17 years old, live in Washington State, and have recently been charged with a DUI, MIP, and reckless driving.

You are oging to go be charged as an adult. You need to talk to your family and see if they can help your retain an experienced criminal defense attorney since the consequences you are facing will last a very ong time. The DUI has a mandatory minimum one day in jail and an $866 fine, five years probation, at least a 90 day suspension, or one year if you refused the breath test, three years of high risk insurane, an alcohol class, victims' panel, ignition interlock in your car for at least one year and a permanent criminal record. You will also not be allowed to enter Canada. The reckless driving itself carries a 30 day license suspension, the possibility of the alcohol related conditions and is also a criminal conviction. The MIP, also a criminal offense, doesn't have any mandatory jail time, but you would still lose your license and have to attand an alcohol class, as well as be on probation for up to two years. Do not wait to speak with a lawyer. Start calling around now to determine all the things that can be done now to help you out down the road.

You are lookingat some relatively serious charges, especially for your age and that could have an effect on your ability to drive a vehicle in the near future. Also, the court will be concerned about any issue of drinking alcohol and driving, again especially for your age. Both a DUI and Reckless Driving are gross misdemeanors, meaning they are punishable by up to a year in jail and a $5,000 fine. For a DUI, there are mandatory penalties if you are convicted such as a day in jail, probation, license suspension and fines. The best thing you can do is retain an experienced attorney who practices in this area.

Both of my colleagues are correct - you are facing serious criminal charges, as well as SIGNIFICANT licensing consequences. The important thing to realize is that a DUI conviction CAN NOT be vacated or expunged. You need skilled legal help immediately! Feel free to call my office for your FREE CONSULTATION at 425-424-9401.

As all the previous answers have made clear, this is a serious matter. You will almost certainly be prosecuted as an adult in adult court -- not in juvenile court. This has a significant chance to affect your life beyond age 18. You need to start looking for an attorney right away. If you cannot afford an attorney, ask to be assigned a public defender. One thing to consider is that most private criminal defense attorneys do free consultations where they will explain the process to you and let you know what options might be available to you. You might want to consider making some calls and getting scheduled for a consultation.