Moved from a previous topic:
I am writing a YA set in Oregon (Portland at large), and have looked up various sites already on state-specific drunk driving laws and penalties, but am still coming up a little short on some details.
Wondering if anyone has expertise on driving violations for teens to round out my research; things such as timelines from violation to court hearing, type of hearing, additional fallout I might be overlooking. It could either be general knowledge about violations, or knowledge about Oregon (I've visited and have a few friends in the area, though writers often have more specific details!)
In my story a 15-year-old with provisional license (permit) confesses to driving her drunk sister home from a party. She crashes the car resulting in minor injuries, totaled car. In her mind, she's getting her sister out safe, even though she's not allowed to drive on her own w/o a guardian and certainly not driving another teen who is violating the law by underage drinking. I have her getting sentenced with community service and suspension of driving privileges for either 6 months to a year, meaning she can't get her license until then. Plus fines.
The twist in the story is that the confession is actually a lie; the 15-yr-old is covering for her 18-yr-old sister who actually DID drive drunk. The 18yo has a previous traffic violation, and is heading toward alcoholism; her younger sister aims to "protect" her from a harsh sentence (the story focuses a bit on their struggling relationship as sisters). The penalties from what I can find is suspension of license for a year plus fines plus mandatory drug counseling.
I can provide more story detail if needed.
Thanks in advance!
I am writing a YA set in Oregon (Portland at large), and have looked up various sites already on state-specific drunk driving laws and penalties, but am still coming up a little short on some details.
Wondering if anyone has expertise on driving violations for teens to round out my research; things such as timelines from violation to court hearing, type of hearing, additional fallout I might be overlooking. It could either be general knowledge about violations, or knowledge about Oregon (I've visited and have a few friends in the area, though writers often have more specific details!)
In my story a 15-year-old with provisional license (permit) confesses to driving her drunk sister home from a party. She crashes the car resulting in minor injuries, totaled car. In her mind, she's getting her sister out safe, even though she's not allowed to drive on her own w/o a guardian and certainly not driving another teen who is violating the law by underage drinking. I have her getting sentenced with community service and suspension of driving privileges for either 6 months to a year, meaning she can't get her license until then. Plus fines.
The twist in the story is that the confession is actually a lie; the 15-yr-old is covering for her 18-yr-old sister who actually DID drive drunk. The 18yo has a previous traffic violation, and is heading toward alcoholism; her younger sister aims to "protect" her from a harsh sentence (the story focuses a bit on their struggling relationship as sisters). The penalties from what I can find is suspension of license for a year plus fines plus mandatory drug counseling.
I can provide more story detail if needed.
Thanks in advance!
