An underage DUI charge in Los Angeles can put your child’s license, record, and future at risk fast. California treats drivers under 21 far more strictly than adults, and even a trace of alcohol can trigger a license suspension. At Hurwitz Law Group, our Los Angeles underage DUI lawyer defends young drivers and their families across Los Angeles County. We explain what you are facing, protect your rights at every stage, and push back against the evidence the prosecution relies on. The choices you make in the first few days matter. Call our firm today at (323) 244-4147 for a free case evaluation.
Facing an under-21 DUI is frightening for the driver and the parents alike. You want someone who handles these cases in Los Angeles courts, not a firm learning as it goes.
Our founding attorney brings more than 10 years of criminal defense experience to every case. We focus heavily on DUI defense, so we know how officers run roadside stops and how prosecutors build under-21 cases.
We know the DMV process moves separately from criminal court, and both can affect a young driver’s license. Missing a deadline in either track can cost your child the ability to drive.
Hurwitz Law Group offers payment plans, and we are available 24/7 when charges cannot wait. Our recognition includes Super Lawyers selection and membership in the National College for DUI Defense.
Every case gets a defense built around the facts, not a template. We investigate the stop, the testing, and the paperwork, then we fight for the best result available to your family.
We also keep parents in the loop. Many of our under-21 clients are still in high school or college, and their families are anxious for answers. Our team explains the DMV timeline, the court schedule, and the realistic outcomes in plain language.
Local knowledge counts here. We appear in Los Angeles County courts regularly, so we understand how prosecutors and judges tend to approach young first-time drivers. That insight shapes how we negotiate and when we push a case toward trial.
California uses a stricter standard for drivers under 21 than for adults. Three separate laws can apply to an underage driver, and more than one can be charged from a single stop.
The reason is straightforward. State law treats drinking under 21 as off limits, so the legal alcohol threshold behind the wheel is set near zero rather than at the adult 0.08 percent limit. That gap catches many young drivers off guard.
Under Vehicle Code 23136, the state’s zero tolerance law, it is unlawful for anyone under 21 to drive with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.01 percent or greater. This law does not require proof of impairment. Any detectable alcohol is enough.
A violation of the zero tolerance law is not a crime. It is a civil offense handled by the Department of Motor Vehicles. The main penalty is a one-year suspension of the driver’s license.
The second law, Vehicle Code 23140, applies when an underage driver has a BAC of 0.05 percent or higher. This is charged as an infraction, and unlike the zero tolerance law, it can carry a fine and a mandatory alcohol education program.
The third law is the standard DUI statute. Under Vehicle Code 23152, any driver may face DUI charges when their BAC reaches 0.08 percent or when alcohol or drugs actually impair their driving. This is a misdemeanor that can bring jail time and a criminal record.
The way alcohol gets measured also differs for young drivers. Under the zero tolerance law, any driver under 21 is deemed to have consented to a preliminary alcohol screening test. That roadside breath test can set the entire case in motion.
Because these laws overlap, a single arrest can lead to a DMV action and criminal charges at the same time. A driver stopped at a BAC of 0.06 percent, for example, may face both the zero tolerance suspension and an infraction charge.
Our team sorts out exactly which laws apply and where the case can be challenged. Understanding which statute drives the case tells us where the real pressure points are, from the reason for the stop to the reliability of the test itself.
The consequences of an under-21 DUI reach well beyond a single court date. A young driver can lose their license, pay fines, and carry a record that follows them for years.
For a zero tolerance violation, the DMV imposes a one-year license suspension. For a driver who does not yet have a license, the wait to get one can be delayed instead. That suspension applies even when there is no criminal conviction attached to it.
Repeat violations raise the stakes further. A second or later offense can lead to a longer loss of driving privileges, and the DMV treats a young driver’s history as a factor in what comes next.
A charge under Vehicle Code 23140 can add a fine and a required alcohol education program. When the case rises to a standard DUI, the penalties grow to include possible jail time, probation, and larger fines.
The damage does not stop at the courthouse. A DUI on a young person’s record can raise insurance costs, complicate college applications, and limit job or scholarship opportunities down the road.
Losing a license hits harder for a young person than many families expect. It can affect getting to school, holding a part-time job, and taking part in the everyday activities that build toward adulthood. For some students, it changes the shape of an entire semester.
A criminal record carries its own weight. Background checks for jobs, housing, and professional licenses can surface a conviction years later. What feels like a single bad night can echo far into the future if the case is not handled well.
Because so much is on the line, early legal help matters. The sooner we get involved, the more options we have to protect your child’s license and record. Call Hurwitz Law Group at (323) 244-4147 to speak with our team about your case.
No two under-21 DUI stops look alike. Our Los Angeles underage DUI lawyer handles the full range of situations young drivers and their families bring to us.
First-offense stops. Many clients have never dealt with police or courts before. We walk first-time drivers and their parents through every step, explain what to expect, and work to keep one mistake from defining a young person’s future.
Preliminary alcohol screening issues. Under-21 drivers are deemed to consent to a preliminary alcohol screening (PAS) test. We examine how that roadside test was administered, whether the device was reliable, and whether the stop that led to it was lawful.
BAC between 0.05 and 0.08. Cases in this range can trigger both the infraction and DMV consequences at once. We challenge the readings, the timing of the test, and the traffic stop that produced them to protect a young driver’s record.
Charges alongside a standard DUI. When a stop produces both under-21 and adult DUI charges, the stakes climb quickly. We defend the full set of charges together as one strategy, rather than treating each one in isolation.
DMV hearing representation. The license suspension runs through the DMV, not the criminal court. We request and handle that administrative hearing so your child has a real chance to keep driving while the case moves forward.
Alcohol from non-obvious sources. A young driver can register alcohol from cough medicine, mouthwash, or a single drink. We look closely at how the alcohol was measured and whether the reading tells the full story.
An underage DUI arrest usually creates two separate matters. One is the DMV administrative case over the license, and the other is any criminal charge filed in court.
The DMV suspension is not automatic in the sense that it cannot be contested. After the arrest or citation, a driver has a short window to request an administrative hearing. Miss that window, and the suspension takes effect on its own.
At the hearing, issues include whether the officer had reason to believe the driver was under 21 with alcohol in their system, whether the stop was lawful, and whether the test showed alcohol. We build the case on each of those points.
The criminal side moves through arraignment, pretrial, and, if needed, trial. Where a standard DUI charge is involved, the consequences and procedures are more serious than a simple infraction.
Our defense often starts with the traffic stop itself. An officer needs a lawful reason to pull a driver over, and if that reason does not hold up, the evidence that followed may be challenged. We review dashcam footage, reports, and testing records to look for those openings.
The testing process gets close attention too. Screening devices must be maintained and used correctly, and the officer must follow proper steps. Errors in how a test was run can weaken the case against a young driver.
Acting early gives us room to gather evidence, meet deadlines, and negotiate from a position of strength. Waiting only narrows the options. Our team manages both tracks so nothing slips through the cracks.
Not always. A zero tolerance violation under Vehicle Code 23136 is a civil offense handled by the DMV. A charge at higher BAC levels can be a crime.
Any BAC of 0.01 percent or greater is illegal for drivers under 21. At 0.05 percent, additional charges apply, and at 0.08 percent, standard DUI law applies.
A zero tolerance violation carries a one-year license suspension. Requesting a DMV hearing quickly gives your child a chance to challenge that suspension.
Sometimes. If the stop, the testing, or the evidence has problems, charges can be reduced or dismissed. We review every detail to find those weaknesses.
Yes. Even a first offense can suspend a license and create a record. A lawyer protects your rights and can improve the outcome significantly.
The window is short, often just a few days after the arrest. Contact us right away so we can request the hearing before the deadline passes.
A DUI charge does not have to define your child’s future. With the right defense, many under-21 cases can be reduced, challenged, or dismissed. At Hurwitz Law Group, our Los Angeles underage DUI lawyer stands between your family and the harshest consequences. We handle the DMV hearing, the criminal case, and every deadline in between. Time matters, so do not wait to protect your child’s license and record. Call Hurwitz Law Group in Los Angeles today at (323) 244-4147 for a free case evaluation.
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