Scottish Criminal Law and Motoring Offences Question

[Monro76]

My son is 17 and about to start a Chemical Engineering Degree at Strathclyde Uni. Last Saturday, in a moment of utter madness and quite out of character, he took the family car without permission in the early hours while under the influence, and had a serious accident involving no other cars. He failed the breathalyser. Because he was slightly injured with a head wound, he was taken to hospital, where a blood test was later taken. He was charged at the scene, he has no clear recollection of the charges, but we assume they would have been drunk driving, careless driving, driving without insurance, and taking a vehicle without the owners permission. We have a meeting with the police on Sunday to clarify the charges and find out about proceedings from here. I know this sounds niaeve, but having never had any trouble with the police in my life I have no idea what will happen. Can anyone tell me what is likely to happen? Will he get a criminal record for theft of the car? Will he get a custodial sentence? How will this effect his plans to work in the USA as a chemical engineer which was his aim?

Thank you.

[LAW_DROP-OUT]

Well he wont get jailed ...... as regards working as Chemival engr., in USA ..... im not sure wheteher in USA , they can do a Criminal records BurEAU TYPE CHECK , ON YOUE SON , WHEN APPLYING FOR VISAs /JOB APPLICATION , THEY MAY ASK IF HE HAS BEEN , CONVICTED IN ANY COUNTRY OF a "DRIVING under the influence " , offence , it is a recordable , offence , but not a CRIMINAL OFFENCE , such as Assault , theft , etc..... its a bit of a grey area ,,,,,,, but he wont get jailed ,,,,, maybe Community service ??? , but nothing custodial..

[NORMANTHEDOG]

if he is charged with driving under the influence of drink,he will get a criminal record,and taking the car,and no insurance are criminal offences as well,and as for working in the USA,he will need a visa,and he will not get one if he has a criminal record,a very silly boy.

[LAW_DROP-OUT]

no inusrance ..... in uk , is not a criminal offence ..... its an "absoloute " motoring offence .........

[NORMANTHEDOG]

read the first word,its SCOTLAND.

[LAW_DROP-OUT]

Scotland ,...yes well pointed ,,,out Norman,,