3 Do's and Dont's If Your Child Was Arrested for Underage DUI

Protecting Your Child’s Rights After an Arrest for Driving Under the Influence

California has a zero-tolerance law for underage drinking and driving. Pursuant to California Vehicle Code 23136, it is unlawful for a person under the age of 21 to drive with a blood-alcohol concentration of 0.01% or higher. If your child has been arrested for an alcohol-related offense, it is essential to contact an attorney as soon as possible.

At Ridley Defense, we represent individuals who have been arrested for underage DUI in Southern California. Attorney Doug Ridley is a former Ventura County Deputy District Attorney who has built his reputation on providing fierce, dedicated representation for each of his clients. We know how important it is to protect your child’s future. Let us help get the best possible outcome for their case.

Call our office today at 805.208.1866 for a complimentary consultation. You can never hurt your child’s case by contacting our office too soon, but you can if you call us too late!

3 Things You Should Do If Your Child Was Arrested for Underage DUI

If your child was arrested for an underage DUI in Southern California, the attorneys at Ridley Defense can help. We have successfully represented thousands of clients and are committed to ensuring that clients receive the personalized attention their case deserves.

If your child is arrested for an underage DUI, make sure you do these 3 things:

Contact our office immediately. Call 805.208.1866 or send us a message to discuss your child’s legal options.
Document everything. Have your child document everything that happened before, during, and after the arrest. It is important to do this while it is fresh in your child’s mind.
Request an APS hearing. When it comes to any DUI-related charges, time is of the essence. Your child has 10 days to request an administrative per se (APS) hearing through the California DMV to review the automatic suspension or revocation of their driving privileges. If you contact our office within 10 days of your child’s arrest, we can request the hearing on their behalf and ensure that all legal requirements are met.

3 Things to Avoid If Your Child Was Arrested for Underage DUI

The most important thing you can do for your child if they are arrested for an Underage DUI in Ventura or throughout Southern California is to contact Ridley Defense. Our attorneys will help guide you through the legal process and fight to protect your child’s driving privileges. We know that an arrest or citation for driving under the influence can be overwhelming, but we are here to help.

If your child is arrested for underage DUI, remember these 3 things:

Do not allow your child to drive on a suspended license. If your child’s driving privileges have been suspended or revoked, do not allow them to drive. They could face additional penalties for driving on a suspended license or outside their restriction. At Ridley Defense, we can help your child apply for a restricted license or critical needs license if they face a suspension.
Do not talk to people about the arrest or post on social media. It is in your child’s best interest to limit what they say regarding the arrest. If there was an accident involved, our office can help you deal with the insurance adjuster.
Do not wait! The most critical mistake that most parents make when their child is arrested for underage DUI is waiting to contact an attorney. Call our office immediately. The sooner we get involved, the more we can do to help!

Contact Ridley Defense Today!

If your child was arrested for an underage DUI, contact Ridley Defense for a complimentary consultation. Our lawyers have extensive experience representing clients under the age of 21 who have allegedly violated California’s zero-tolerance law or are arrested for violating CVC 23140, 23152, or 23153.

Your child’s future does not need to be ruined by an arrest. Call our office today at 805.208.1866. Get the guidance you need and the superior representation your child deserves.

What to Do If Your Child Was Caught Shoplifting

It Is Important to Protect Your Child’s Rights and Their Future After Shoplifting Allegations

Getting a call from the school or from the police that your child is in trouble is one of a parent’s worst nightmares. Sometimes kids just “getting in trouble” have serious and long lasting consequences for your child. When we work with families in this area, we find that the child is very focused on the immediate consequences. The parents are concerned about long term consequences for the future. Both concerns are valid, and need to be addressed and explained to the families. It is critical that you get early and immediate legal advice from an attorney who understands the juvenile criminal justice system.

The juvenile system is drastically different from adult court. The procedures in court are different. There are several ways to mitigate how the case is handled even before going to court. It is possible to speak with the police, or the prosecutor, or even the probation department and stop the damage before it even starts.

At Ridley Defense, we know how one misstep can affect a young person’s entire life. Our lawyers believe in helping people get back on track while ensuring that their rights are not violated. If your child was caught shoplifting in Southern California, contact our office for a complimentary consultation.

What to Do First If Your Child Is Accused of Shoplifting

While the legal process will look different depending on whether your child was over the age of 18 at the time of the alleged offense, the first steps will be the same. No matter how old your child is, the first call you should make is to a qualified criminal defense attorney. If your child was under 18 at the time the alleged shoplifting occurred, you need to retain an attorney who is well-versed in handling juvenile crimes.

The juvenile court system is considerably different from an adult court. A juvenile court case begins with the filing of a petition. The judge will determine based on the petition whether the allegations are true. The petition will be followed by a detention hearing and future court appearances until a disposition can be reached. It is in the best interest of your child to retain an attorney as early in the process as possible.

Your Child’s Right to Counsel

Shoplifting is a serious theft crime. Depending on the value of the items stolen, a person may be charged with petty or grand theft. A conviction for either of these offenses may affect your child’s future in several ways. To minimize the impact of shoplifting charges, you need an experienced, focused attorney who knows the juvenile court system.

Your child has a right to legal counsel. Failing to exercise that right could result in your child receiving a harsher sentence. A lawyer can often help achieve a more favorable outcome including negotiating for diversion or probation in lieu of detention.

Get the Legal Help Your Child Needs

At Ridley Defense, we understand that few things are black and white. Your child may have been in the wrong place at the wrong time or may have made a bad decision. Our legal team is here to help you understand their legal options and to work to ensure that their rights are protected. We work tirelessly to mitigate the effect that these charges can have on their future.

If your child has been accused of shoplifting, contact our office to schedule a complimentary consultation. Ridley Defense founder Doug Ridley is a former Ventura County prosecutor. He has over 20 years of criminal defense experience and will do everything in his power to protect your child’s interests. Call now to discuss your child’s case.