Underage DUI Attorney in Wasco

Protecting Your Child’s Future After a DUI Arrest

An underage DUI tied to Wasco can feel overwhelming. In a matter of hours, your family may be facing serious questions about your child’s license, court dates, and long-term record. Our team at Middlebrook & Associates focuses our practice on DUI defense in Kern County, and we help families work through this kind of crisis.

We understand that you are worried about what this means for your teen or young adult. You may be unsure what is true and what is rumor, and you might not know what will happen next in juvenile court or at the DMV. We guide parents and young drivers through these steps every day, and we work to bring clarity to a stressful situation as quickly as possible.

Middlebrook & Associates is based in Bakersfield and devoted to DUI defense. Led by attorney Richard Middlebrook, recognized as one of the Top 100 Lawyers in America for DUI Defense and honored with the Edward Kuwatch Lifetime Achievement Award, we have handled thousands of DUI charges like the one your child is facing.

Contact our Wasco underage DUI lawyer. Call Middlebrook & Associates at (661) 874-1325 or contact us online for a free consultation. Hablamos español.

Understanding Underage DUI Laws in California

In California, there is no "legal limit" for drivers under 21. While adults are generally subject to a 0.08% Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) threshold, minors face multiple tiers of strict enforcement under the California Vehicle Code:

• Zero Tolerance (VC 23136): It is illegal for anyone under 21 to drive with a BAC of 0.01% or higher. This is a civil offense, but it triggers an automatic one-year suspension of driving privileges by the DMV.
• Underage Possession (VC 23140): If a minor's BAC is 0.05% or higher, the charge becomes an infraction. This results in steeper fines and mandatory attendance at an alcohol education program (DUI school).
• Standard DUI (VC 23152): If a minor is found to be "under the influence" or has a BAC of 0.08% or higher, they face the same criminal misdemeanor charges as an adult, including potential jail time and a permanent criminal record.

As of late 2025, California law enforcement has increased the use of oral fluid testing at roadside stops to detect not just alcohol, but marijuana and other controlled substances. As your Wasco underage DUI lawyer, we meticulously review the technical data from these new devices to ensure your child wasn't a victim of a "false positive."

The "10-Day Rule" and the DMV Hearing

Many parents don't realize that the clock starts ticking immediately after an arrest. If your child was cited for a BAC of 0.01% or higher, the officer likely confiscated their license and issued a pink "temporary" permit.

You have only 10 days from the date of the citation to request a DMV Hearing.

If you miss this deadline, the one-year license suspension becomes automatic and absolute. At Middlebrook & Associates, we handle the DMV administrative process for you. We fight to secure "Critical Need" restricted licenses that allow students to continue driving to school or work, ensuring their education and employment aren't derailed.

What Happens After an Underage DUI Arrest in the Wasco Area

For drivers under 18, the matter generally enters the juvenile court system, which in Kern County is based in Bakersfield. For drivers aged 18 to 20, the case may proceed in adult criminal court, even though they are under the legal drinking age. 

Which court becomes involved usually depends on the young person’s age and the specific charge. Our team helps families understand which courtroom they must appear in and what to expect at each stage.

Penalties and Collateral Consequences of Underage DUI Convictions in Wasco

An underage DUI is a heavy burden that carries both immediate and "hidden" penalties. These consequences include:

• License Suspension: A mandatory one-year suspension (or a one-year delay in getting a license if the minor doesn't have one yet).
• Mandatory DUI School: Required for any BAC of 0.05% or higher.
• Impoundment: The vehicle may be impounded for up to 30 days at the owner's expense.
• Financial Impact: Between fines, court fees, and skyrocketing insurance premiums, a first-time underage DUI can cost a family over $15,000 over time.

The Long-Term Impact on Future Success

An underage DUI attorney in Wasco will tell you that the courtroom is only the beginning. A conviction or a DMV record can lead to:

• College Admissions: Many universities require disclosure of criminal records or disciplinary actions.
• Scholarship Loss: Many athletic and academic scholarships are revoked immediately upon a DUI conviction.
• Professional Licensing: Future careers in medicine, law enforcement, or aviation can be permanently blocked by a drug or alcohol-related record.

How We Defend Underage DUI Charges

Defending a young driver requires both technical DUI knowledge and sensitivity to what is at stake for a family. At Middlebrook & Associates, we treat every underage DUI case as unique. We begin by examining how the traffic stop, investigation, and testing unfolded, then we look for legal and scientific issues that may affect the strength of the case.

We also look at how field sobriety tests were conducted, keeping in mind that nervousness, fatigue, and medical conditions can affect performance. For breath and blood tests, we examine the equipment records, calibration history, and collection procedures, because problems in any of these areas can influence the reported result.

Our defense work rests on reliable scientific research. For underage drivers, this is especially important, because the law often uses very low BAC thresholds. We consider issues such as rising blood alcohol levels, instrument maintenance, and whether the protocols followed match what the science supports.

In addition to challenging weaknesses in the evidence, we look for ways to present your child’s circumstances in a way that helps judges and prosecutors see the full picture. That can include age, school or work obligations, and steps taken after the incident, such as counseling or education.

Why Families Turn To Our Team After an Underage DUI

When a young person is arrested for drinking and driving, parents are not just looking for any lawyer. They are looking for someone who understands DUI law in detail, who knows the courts that handle Wasco-related cases, and who takes their child’s future as seriously as they do. 

That is why many families turn to our team at Middlebrook & Associates when they need an underage DUI lawyer in Wasco. Our firm is built around DUI defense. We have handled thousands of DUI charges across Kern County, including cases involving young and first-time drivers, alleged high BAC levels, drugs, and accidents.

Richard Middlebrook leads our team. His recognition as one of the Top 100 Lawyers in America for DUI Defense and the Edward Kuwatch Lifetime Achievement Award reflect a long career devoted to defending drivers against these charges. For our clients, that translates into thoughtful legal strategies grounded in both courtroom experience and scientific research.

Steps To Take Right Now To Protect Your Child & Their License

In the first days after an arrest, parents often feel pressure to make quick decisions without enough information. Taking a few practical steps can help protect your child’s rights while you decide how to move forward. These steps also give us more to work with when we evaluate the case.

Consider taking these actions as soon as you can:

• Gather paperwork, including any citation, temporary license, tow notice, or property receipts your child received. These documents contain important dates, locations, and charges.
• Write down what happened from your child’s perspective while the memory is fresh. Details about where they were stopped, what the officer said, and which tests were performed can be valuable later.
• Be careful about conversations with law enforcement, friends, school staff, and on social media. Well-intentioned comments can be misunderstood and may show up in the case file.
• Note DMV deadlines that appear on any paperwork about license suspension. The time period to request a DMV hearing is short, and once it passes, options can narrow.
• Contact a DUI-focused firm promptly so we can review the situation and discuss how to respond before your child appears in court or speaks with investigators.

When families reach out to us early, we can step in to request the DMV hearing when appropriate, begin evaluating the testing and police reports, and help parents understand the choices ahead of them. That early involvement often reduces confusion and helps everyone feel more prepared for the next steps in the process.

Talk With Our Team About Your Underage DUI Case

When you contact Middlebrook & Associates, you can speak with a team that has devoted its work to DUI defense and has handled thousands of charges across the county. 

We explain what to expect, answer your questions, and discuss how we may be able to work to reduce the impact of an underage DUI on your family. Taking this step now can help you feel less alone and more prepared for what comes next.

To talk with our team about your situation, call (661) 874-1325 or reach out online to schedule your free consultation.