Zero Tolerance For Minors
In relationship to alcohol, in the state of Texas a "minor" is considered someone under 21 years of age. Generally speaking, a minor may not purchase, attempt to purchase, consume, or even possess an alcoholic beverage.
Since a minor should not even possess an alcoholic beverage, the 1997 Texas Legislature adopted Senate Bill 35, which established zero tolerance for minors who commit offenses under the non-driving alcohol-related laws as well as for minors who drive under the influence.
Zero Tolerance
Zero tolerance means just that. If a minor, in this case someone who is under 21 years old, has any detectable amount of alcohol in their system while he or she is operating a motor vehicle in a public place, as far as the law is concerned, the minor driver has committed the criminal offense of Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol by a Minor (D.U.I. by a Minor). This means the minor could have a blood alcohol concentration of as little as .01% and be charged with this offense. The zero tolerance concept also applies even if the minor is not driving. An example of this might be if you were walking home drunk from a party or a friend drives you home from a party and you are drunk. On the way home your friend gets pulled over and the officer notices, by smell or your behavior, that you have been drinking then fines, tickets, and punishment would follow. Despite our society's tolerance in the past, we are now clearly saying minors who have any alcohol can suffer stiff consequences.