What Is The Zero Tolerance Law?

Last Updated on May 24, 2022 by Fair Punishment Team

Zero tolerance refers to the practice of using laws and policies that contain mandatory enforcement of violations without considering the severity of them, nor the extenuating circumstances that might be involved. 

Essentially, zero tolerance laws mean that a consequence will be given to the offender without external judgment. 

Today we are going to be looking into these laws more, including where they might be used and why they are used so commonly nowadays. 

A bit more about the zero tolerance law

We’ve given you a quick definition of zero tolerance law, but what does it really mean? Well, if you are caught breaking a zero tolerance law you will not be given the opportunity to defend yourself – you will simply be given the penalty that comes with breaking that law. 

You might think that you have a good reason for breaking the law, but it won’t matter to people of power in the law world. You will be required to accept your penalty and carry out your punishment. 

The prime example of a zero tolerance law

The first law to be considered zero tolerance is driving under the influence below the age of 21. The idea behind this law is that it is illegal for people under the age of 21 to consume alcohol, so therefore it should be illegal for them to drive under the influence of any alcohol. 

While the minimum driving age in the US is 16, the minimum drinking age is 21. So, if you’re caught driving under the influence between the ages of 16 and 21, you’ll be found to be breaking the law.

The law of people under the age of 21 driving under the influence of any alcohol has now been passed in all 50 states. This is a zero tolerance law that gives out penalties for people illegally drinking and driving, even if they are under the blood alcohol content limit of 0.08%. 

Many states even go as far as to charge people under the age of 21 with a Driving Under the Influence (DUI) if they are found with a BAC of as low as 0.00%, which refers to even a hint of alcohol detected within your bloodstream. 

The history of zero tolerance laws

The above zero tolerance law is considered to be the first of its kind, being created in the 1980s. 

As drivers under the age of 21 are much more likely to be involved in fatal car crashes while driving under the influence of alcohol, a new law was passed. The National Minimum Drinking Age Act (1984) forced all 50 states to raise the legal drinking age to 21. 

Just four years after this law was passed, all of the states had successfully raised the legal drinking age. This then laid the groundwork for the first zero tolerance law to be formed – driving under the influence under the age of 21. 

Other examples of zero tolerance laws

Driving under the influence is not the only area in which zero tolerance laws can apply. They’re actually found in many other circumstances depending on the state that you commit the crime in. 

For example, some states have a zero tolerance law on driving while holding an open alcohol container. If you are found with an open container of alcohol in your car, you will be subjected to the penalty that your state puts with it. 

Even though you might believe that you have a good reason for the open container to be there, it doesn’t matter to the officer who is writing you up. Some reasons might be that it is an old container, that it was your friend’s who wasn’t driving, or that it broke open while you were driving. 

However, these excuses do not matter and there is often not a place for you to voice your concerns, so you’ll never be able to work your way around the zero tolerance law. #

Another popular zero tolerance law is the possession of weapons and drugs in schools. In the 1990s, these laws started being passed to keep students safe from harmful substances and weapons. 

Students would be expelled if they were caught with these possessions, and they wouldn’t be able to defend themselves. 

It is worth noting that studies on this zero tolerance law have shown it to be widely ineffective at preventing drugs and weapons from being brought into schools. Research has even shown that this policy was being treated with racial inequalities, with black children being disciplined harsher than white children. 

The problem with zero tolerance laws

There are a few concerns arising from zero tolerance laws that should be addressed. However, as the laws are all about not accepting excuses and extenuating circumstances, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that these are largely looked over. 

The first issue with these laws is that there are sometimes cases of extenuating circumstances that should be listened to. For example, a school might consider a pair of scissors to be a weapon, when the student brought them into school with no intention of using them that way. 

However, as the zero tolerance rules apply, this student would be suspended or expelled from school without being heard out. This can be harmful to their academic performance and self-efficacy. 

Some people might also have a reason for breaking another zero tolerance law that is worth considering, yet it won’t be due to the harshness of the law. 

Summary

Hopefully you’ve learned some valuable information about zero tolerance laws and why they are used. Driving under the influence while being younger than 21 years old is perhaps the most common zero tolerance law. 

Zero tolerance is taught from a young age, with it being commonly found in school districts. 

There are both positives and negatives for zero tolerance laws. They can be effective methods of deterrence, but they don’t allow for extenuating circumstances that should sometimes be listened to. 

6,929 thoughts on “What Is The Zero Tolerance Law?”

  2. Todos os dias, muitas pessoas ao redor do mundo fazem apostas em cassinos online https://all-slots-casino.link/ e casas de apostas, e pegam sua sorte nas loterias. Os usuários da Internet buscam por vídeos honestos e sites de apostas esportivas, tentam entender as regras dos cassinos, fazem perguntas uns aos outros sobre bônus e compartilham dicas sobre como obter uma grande pontuação. Até agora, não havia um único lugar na Web para pessoas assim. Agora surgiu um site assim. Um portal de informação e entretenimento criado para reunir os amantes do jogo

  4. Respected casino online casino that pays. Prompt payouts, pay any way you want. Many different online games, slots. Huge selection of sports betting, online streaming, work all over the world. Click and win with us

  6. After research just a few of the weblog posts in your web site now, and I actually like your method of blogging. I bookmarked it to my bookmark website list and will probably be checking back soon. Pls take a look at my site as effectively and let me know what you think.

  9. Youre so cool! I dont suppose Ive read anything like this before. So nice to search out anyone with some authentic thoughts on this subject. realy thank you for starting this up. this website is one thing that is wanted on the internet, someone with a bit originality. useful job for bringing one thing new to the web!

  10. My husband and i were absolutely delighted that Emmanuel managed to finish up his researching through the entire precious recommendations he gained using your web pages. It is now and again perplexing to simply continually be giving away instructions which usually the others have been trying to sell. And now we see we now have the blog owner to thank because of that. Most of the explanations you made, the simple web site menu, the friendships your site make it possible to create – it is mostly powerful, and it’s really assisting our son and us do think this idea is thrilling, and that’s exceptionally important. Many thanks for everything!

  11. Thanks so much for providing individuals with an exceptionally nice chance to read from this site. It’s usually very pleasing plus packed with amusement for me personally and my office fellow workers to search your web site a minimum of 3 times per week to read the new stuff you have. And lastly, I am at all times contented with your unique ideas you give. Selected 1 ideas in this post are unquestionably the very best we have all had.

  12. I together with my buddies have been following the good helpful hints located on the blog and so before long I got a terrible feeling I had not thanked the blog owner for those techniques. These young men were so happy to read all of them and have honestly been taking advantage of these things. I appreciate you for genuinely simply thoughtful as well as for utilizing some awesome issues millions of individuals are really wanting to discover. My very own sincere regret for not expressing gratitude to you earlier.

  13. I precisely desired to say thanks once more. I am not sure the things that I would have gone through without these ways discussed by you regarding that question. It became a challenging concern for me, nevertheless finding out your well-written style you handled it made me to cry over happiness. I am grateful for this support as well as expect you find out what a powerful job that you’re doing instructing some other people with the aid of your website. Most likely you have never come across all of us.

  14. I intended to put you a bit of remark to be able to say thanks again for those amazing methods you’ve shown in this article. It’s open-handed of people like you giving unreservedly what some people could have distributed as an e-book to help make some cash for their own end, principally given that you might have tried it in the event you decided. These tricks in addition acted to be the great way to recognize that someone else have the same keenness similar to mine to know more and more with reference to this matter. I think there are some more fun moments in the future for those who scan through your website.

  16. I and my friends happened to be examining the great secrets and techniques located on your web site and then all of a sudden developed a terrible suspicion I never thanked the site owner for them. All the young men are actually totally passionate to see them and have in truth been having fun with them. Thank you for actually being considerably considerate as well as for deciding upon some helpful subjects millions of individuals are really eager to understand about. My very own sincere regret for not saying thanks to sooner.

  19. My spouse and I stumbled over here coming from a different web page
    and thought I might check things out. I like what I see so i am just following you.
    Look forward to checking out your web page yet again.

  21. A lot of thanks for each of your labor on this web page. Ellie delights in working on internet research and it is obvious why. Most people learn all concerning the powerful form you convey both interesting and useful items via the blog and as well as invigorate response from people about this issue plus our own daughter is actually learning a lot. Have fun with the remaining portion of the year. You are always conducting a pretty cool job.

  22. I together with my guys happened to be going through the great suggestions on your site and the sudden I got an awful suspicion I never thanked the site owner for those techniques. Those young boys appeared to be certainly glad to read through all of them and have in effect certainly been taking pleasure in them. Many thanks for truly being well considerate and for using these kinds of notable ideas most people are really desirous to know about. My personal sincere regret for not expressing appreciation to earlier.

  23. My spouse and i felt absolutely lucky Louis managed to finish off his basic research because of the precious recommendations he gained from your web site. It’s not at all simplistic to simply be releasing points which often people might have been selling. We really already know we now have you to appreciate for that. The main illustrations you’ve made, the simple web site menu, the friendships you help to instill – it’s got mostly impressive, and it is aiding our son in addition to the family believe that the topic is entertaining, which is seriously serious. Thanks for all the pieces!

  25. I happen to be writing to let you know what a remarkable experience my wife’s princess enjoyed reading your site. She mastered such a lot of details, with the inclusion of what it’s like to have a marvelous coaching mindset to let the rest effortlessly know just exactly chosen tortuous things. You actually exceeded our own expectations. I appreciate you for churning out those priceless, trustworthy, revealing and in addition fun thoughts on the topic to Evelyn.

  26. Thanks a lot for giving everyone an extremely remarkable possiblity to read articles and blog posts from this blog. It’s always so great and as well , packed with fun for me and my office friends to visit your web site particularly 3 times in 7 days to study the new secrets you have got. Of course, I am just certainly happy concerning the awesome strategies served by you. Selected two facts in this article are easily the very best we have all ever had.

  28. I wish to show my admiration for your kindness supporting those who need assistance with this concept. Your real commitment to passing the message up and down appeared to be particularly significant and has consistently made people much like me to arrive at their ambitions. Your helpful recommendations can mean so much to me and additionally to my mates. With thanks; from all of us.

  29. I want to express my appreciation to this writer for bailing me out of this type of difficulty. Right after scouting throughout the online world and seeing proposals which were not pleasant, I assumed my life was over. Existing without the presence of solutions to the issues you’ve sorted out by means of the site is a critical case, as well as the ones which may have in a negative way damaged my career if I had not encountered your web blog. Your good capability and kindness in taking care of all the stuff was vital. I don’t know what I would’ve done if I had not encountered such a thing like this. I am able to at this moment relish my future. Thanks a lot very much for this expert and amazing guide. I won’t hesitate to endorse your web page to any person who would need assistance about this subject.

  31. Thanks a lot for providing individuals with an extraordinarily remarkable possiblity to read in detail from this website. It is usually very superb plus stuffed with amusement for me personally and my office peers to visit the blog more than 3 times a week to read through the fresh issues you have. And indeed, I am just actually pleased with the surprising creative concepts served by you. Selected 1 points in this posting are undoubtedly the most effective we have all ever had.

  32. My spouse and i ended up being so thankful Emmanuel managed to carry out his studies using the ideas he had using your site. It is now and again perplexing just to be giving out strategies many people have been making money from. And now we fully understand we need you to give thanks to for this. The specific illustrations you made, the easy website menu, the relationships you can give support to engender – it’s got most spectacular, and it’s leading our son and our family feel that that article is enjoyable, and that’s extraordinarily important. Thanks for all the pieces!

  33. Thanks for your own labor on this web page. Debby delights in managing investigations and it’s really easy to see why. Many of us learn all relating to the lively means you create effective guides on this website and even increase contribution from other people on this issue so our favorite child is always studying so much. Take advantage of the remaining portion of the new year. You have been carrying out a dazzling job.

  34. I enjoy you because of your entire labor on this web page. My mum really loves engaging in investigation and it’s easy to understand why. Most people notice all relating to the lively ways you present powerful ideas by means of this web site and as well encourage participation from other people about this concern so our own princess is really understanding a lot. Take pleasure in the remaining portion of the year. You’re doing a fabulous job.

  35. I just wanted to type a note in order to thank you for some of the unique facts you are sharing at this site. My incredibly long internet investigation has now been honored with professional points to go over with my family members. I ‘d state that that we visitors actually are undoubtedly fortunate to exist in a remarkable site with very many wonderful people with valuable techniques. I feel truly blessed to have come across the webpages and look forward to so many more amazing times reading here. Thanks once more for a lot of things.

  51. Thanks for every one of your efforts on this web page. My niece enjoys making time for investigation and it is simple to grasp why. We notice all relating to the lively method you offer invaluable guides by means of this web site and as well welcome participation from some other people about this situation and our favorite child is certainly becoming educated a whole lot. Take advantage of the rest of the year. You are always performing a tremendous job.

  73. I am writing to let you understand what a fabulous experience my friend’s princess experienced reading your web site. She realized so many things, not to mention what it’s like to possess an awesome helping nature to make many others smoothly gain knowledge of various hard to do topics. You truly surpassed readers’ desires. Many thanks for producing such important, healthy, revealing not to mention easy tips about this topic to Kate.

  198. Hmm it appears like your site ate my first comment (it was
    extremely long) so I guess I’ll just sum it up what I submitted and say, I’m thoroughly enjoying your blog.
    I too am an aspiring blog writer but I’m still new to the whole thing.
    Do you have any helpful hints for novice blog writers?
    I’d certainly appreciate it.

  200. Can I simply say what a relief to discover a person that genuinely knows what they’re
    talking about on the net. You definitely understand how to bring an issue to light and make it important.
    More and more people must look at this and understand this side of your story.

    I can’t believe you are not more popular given that you definitely have
    the gift.

  235. My partner and I stumbled over here coming from a different page and thought I might as well check things out. I like what I see so now i am following you. Look forward to checking out your web page repeatedly.

  265. Thanks so much for providing individuals with an extraordinarily remarkable opportunity to check tips from here. It’s usually so great plus full of a good time for me personally and my office co-workers to visit your website at minimum three times in 7 days to study the fresh stuff you have. Of course, I’m also at all times motivated with all the impressive tactics served by you. Selected 3 points in this posting are indeed the very best I’ve had.

  522. Hello! Do you know if they make any plugins to help with SEO?
    I’m trying to get my blog to rank for some targeted keywords but I’m not seeing very
    good results. If you know of any please share.
    Cheers!