zero tolerance law
No exceptions policy
A zero tolerance law mandates predetermined consequences for specific violations, allowing no exceptions or discretion.
Most commonly applied to drunk driving laws for minors, where any detectable blood alcohol level triggers automatic penalties: Under the state's zero tolerance law, drivers under 21 lose their license for any BAC above 0.00.
The approach prioritizes deterrence and uniform enforcement over case-by-case judgment.
- strictRigorous, without flexibility
- underage drinkingAlcohol use by minors
- underageBelow legal minimum years
- drinkingLiquid consumption act
- drivingControlling a vehicle
drunk driving · DUI · minor · alcohol · blood · blood alcohol · legal limit · limit · enforcement · penalty · suspension · license · breathalyzer · field sobriety test · checkpoint · open container · curfew · school zone
- DUI preventiondesignated driver, ignition interlock, breathalyzer, sobriety checkpoint, DUI checkpoint
zero tolerance lawjudicial discretion
Judge's decision-making freedom
sentencing guidelines · plea bargaining · parole eligibility
zero tolerance lawrestorative justice
Conflict resolution through mutual healing
diversion program · decriminalization · alternative sentencing · drug court · amnesty
zero, tolerance, zeroes, zeroed, zeroing, tolerate, tolerant, intolerant, toleration