What factor does the court consider if someone is found guilty of DUI with passengers under the age of 15?

When someone is found guilty of driving under the influence (DUI) with passengers under the age of 15, the court views this situation as an aggravating factor. This means that the presence of young passengers is taken into account as a reason to impose a harsher penalty. The rationale behind this is rooted in the heightened risk that impaired driving poses to vulnerable individuals, especially children.

In legal contexts, aggravating factors typically serve to escalate sentences or penalties because they reflect a greater concern for safety and the potential for harm. The presence of children emphasizes the need for protecting the most vulnerable individuals in society, which is why this circumstance can lead to more severe consequences, including longer jail time, heavier fines, or increased community service requirements.

In contrast, mitigating factors, which serve to potentially lessen a sentence, might involve aspects like the offender's clean driving record or personal circumstances that led to the incident. The other options indicating no impact on the sentence or additional community service do not capture the seriousness of endangering minors in such situations.