Oakland Juvenile DUI Attorney

Protecting Your Child After An Underage DUI in Alameda County, CA

Getting a late-night call that your child has been arrested or cited for DUI is frightening. You may be worried about court, their license, and whether this mistake will follow them for years. In this moment, you need clear information and a steady guide, not scare tactics.

At Torres & Caraves Law, we help families facing juvenile and underage DUI charges in this area understand what is really at stake and what options may exist. Our goal is to protect a young person’s future while guiding you step by step through the legal process. You do not have to navigate court or the DMV on your own.

Our criminal defense team has more than 30 years of collective litigation experience and is based here in Oakland. We focus on respectful, client-centered representation, so your family can move from panic toward a concrete plan.

To speak with our experienced Oakland juvenile DUI lawyers, call us at (510) 953-5551 or contact us online today. 

Why Families Turn To Our Team

When a teenager or under-21 driver is accused of DUI, parents want more than basic legal knowledge. They want a firm that understands local courts, treats their child with dignity, and communicates clearly with the entire family. That is how we approach every juvenile and underage DUI case we handle.

Torres & Caraves Law is an Oakland criminal defense firm with a strong reputation in the community. Our attorneys bring over three decades of combined litigation experience in criminal and DUI matters. One of our lawyers is a former public defender, which means we have first-hand insight into how cases move through Alameda County courts and how judges and prosecutors often handle youth-related charges.

Our team is multicultural, and we have Spanish-speaking attorneys and staff. For many families, being able to discuss sensitive issues in Spanish is essential to truly understanding the situation and making informed decisions. We work to ensure that every parent, guardian, and young client feels heard and respected, regardless of language or background.

We also place a high value on responsiveness. Families facing a juvenile DUI often have urgent questions about school, work, and transportation. We strive to return calls promptly, explain what is happening at each stage, and prepare you for hearings in Alameda County so there are fewer surprises.

Juvenile & Underage DUI Consequences

Part of what makes a juvenile or underage DUI so stressful is not knowing how it might affect your child’s future. California law treats drivers under 21 differently from adults, and courts may handle cases for minors in juvenile court rather than adult criminal court, depending on age and circumstances. These differences can be confusing if you have never experienced the system.

For drivers under 21, California has strict rules for alcohol in the system, and there are also standard DUI laws that can apply if a higher blood alcohol level is alleged. The specific charges and potential penalties depend on factors such as age, test results, prior history, and whether there was an accident. Courts and the California DMV may look at each of these details when deciding what to do.

Possible consequences of a juvenile or underage DUI can include fines, alcohol education programs, community service, probation terms, and restrictions on driving. A driver’s license suspension or delay in obtaining a license is a real concern for many families, especially when a teen needs to get to school, work, or activities. There may also be indirect impacts on college applications, scholarships, and, in some situations, immigration status.

Our role is to help you understand the range of possible outcomes and how the facts of your child’s case fit into that picture. While no attorney can promise a specific result, we can explain typical patterns we see in Alameda County and work to pursue resolutions that limit long-term harm whenever the circumstances allow.

What To Do After A DUI Arrest

In the first few days after a juvenile or underage DUI arrest, parents often feel pressure from many directions. There may be court papers, DMV notices, school questions, and family conversations, all at once. Taking some concrete steps can help you regain a sense of control and avoid missed deadlines.

Courts in Alameda County generally schedule initial hearings based on where the incident occurred and the age of the young person. At the same time, the California DMV can begin its own process regarding the driver’s license. These are separate systems, so it is possible to have both a court date and a DMV deadline to track. Early legal advice can help you prioritize what needs attention first.

Right after a juvenile or underage DUI arrest, it is often helpful to:

• Gather paperwork, including citations, release forms, and any notice of a court date or DMV hearing.
• Write down what your child remembers about the stop, testing, and any statements made.
• Avoid letting your child discuss details of the case with school staff or others until you have legal guidance.
• Pay attention to any deadlines listed in DMV documents, since these can come quickly.
• Contact a lawyer to discuss the situation before your child appears in court or speaks with police again.

When families reach out to our firm, we talk through these immediate steps and help them understand the sequence of what usually happens next in Alameda County. This early conversation can reduce confusion and help you feel better prepared for the first hearing.

How We Approach Juvenile DUI Defense

Every juvenile or underage DUI case involves its own facts, people, and history. We do not treat these matters as routine. Our attorneys begin by reviewing the reports, test results, and any video or written statements that may be available. We look at how the stop occurred, what the police requested, and whether proper procedures were followed.

From there, we explore both legal and practical options. Depending on the situation, this might include challenging aspects of the stop or testing, presenting information about your child’s background, or discussing potential negotiated resolutions. In some cases, courts and prosecutors may consider education, counseling, or other programs as part of the outcome. Our goal is to identify paths that protect your child’s future as much as possible, while being realistic about the legal landscape.

Because we are based in Oakland and regularly appear in Alameda County courts, we are familiar with how local judges and prosecutors typically handle youth-related DUI allegations. Our team includes a former public defender, which gives us additional insight into how cases move from arraignment through later stages, and how probation and court services may approach minors and young adults.

Communication is central to our approach. We take time to explain each step to both parents and young clients, answer questions about what to expect at hearings, and discuss the potential short and long-term effects of different choices. When Spanish is a family’s preferred language, our Spanish-speaking attorneys and staff can make sure nothing is lost in translation. Throughout the process, we work to keep your family informed so that decisions are made with clarity rather than fear.

To speak with our experienced Oakland juvenile DUI lawyers, call us at (510) 953-5551 or contact us online today. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Will a juvenile DUI stay on my child’s record?

A juvenile DUI can affect a young person’s record, but how long it is visible and who can see it depends on factors such as age, court type, and later record procedures. We can review your child’s situation and explain what the record might look like going forward.

How quickly should I contact a lawyer after an underage DUI?

It is usually wise to speak with a lawyer as soon as you receive paperwork or know about an arrest. Early advice can help you avoid missteps, track DMV deadlines, and prepare for the first court date. We encourage families to call as soon as they feel ready.

Can your team help with Alameda County juvenile court?

Our attorneys handle matters that can go through Alameda County juvenile court as well as related criminal courts, depending on age and charges. Because we are based in Oakland, we are familiar with how these courts typically schedule and process youth-related DUI cases.

How will you keep my family informed about the case?

We work to keep parents and young clients updated at each stage. That includes explaining upcoming hearings, answering questions when new developments occur, and responding to calls as promptly as we can. Clear communication is a core part of how we represent families facing juvenile DUI charges.

Do you have Spanish-speaking attorneys for DUI cases?

Our firm has Spanish-speaking attorneys and staff who can discuss juvenile and underage DUI cases with you in Spanish. This helps ensure every family member understands the legal issues, options, and next steps. We want language to be a bridge, not a barrier, during this stressful time.

Talk With Our Oakland Defense Team

A juvenile or underage DUI is serious, but it does not have to define your child’s entire future. With knowledgeable guidance and a careful approach, many families are able to move through the process and focus on rebuilding trust and opportunity. Speaking with a lawyer is an important step toward clarity.

At Torres & Caraves Law, we bring more than 30 years of collective litigation experience, a strong reputation in the Oakland community, and a multicultural, Spanish-speaking team to every case. We treat young clients with respect and work closely with parents and guardians to help them understand options in Alameda County courts.

We invite you to contact us to talk about what happened and what might come next in your child’s case. A conversation can help you feel less alone and more prepared for the decisions ahead.

To speak with our experienced Oakland juvenile DUI lawyers, call us at (510) 953-5551 or contact us online today.