DUI with Child Endangerment — Dod Law Aggressively Defends SoCal DUIs

DUI with Child Endangerment

A DUI charge is serious on its own — but when a child is in the vehicle, the consequences become far more severe. Prosecutors and judges in Southern California treat DUIs with child endangerment as aggravated offenses, often filing both DUI and child endangerment charges together. These cases carry harsh penalties, social stigma, and lasting effects on your record, your license, and even your parental rights.

At Dod Law, we understand what is at stake. A single mistake or misunderstanding should not define your life or your ability to care for your family. Our firm has extensive experience defending clients accused of DUI with child endangerment throughout Southern California. We take an aggressive, evidence-driven approach to protect your freedom, your family, and your future.

Understanding DUI with Child Endangerment

Under California Vehicle Code §23152, it is illegal to drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs. When a child under 14 is present in the car, prosecutors can add enhancements or additional charges under California Vehicle Code §23572 and Penal Code §273a (child endangerment).

These enhancements can include:

• Additional jail time for having a minor passenger during a DUI.
• Separate criminal charges for child endangerment, which can be filed as a misdemeanor or felony.
• Driver’s license suspension or revocation.
• Mandatory child protective services (CPS) investigations.
• Probation conditions that may limit custody or visitation.

Even if no one was injured and your child was unharmed, prosecutors often argue that simply driving with a minor while impaired constitutes endangerment. This is why you need an experienced DUI defense attorney who understands how to challenge every element of the case.

How Dod Law Builds a Powerful Defense

Dod Law’s defense strategy focuses on fact-finding, evidence review, and procedural integrity. We do not accept the prosecution’s version of events — we investigate independently and aggressively.

Challenging the DUI Evidence

The foundation of most child endangerment DUIs is the DUI charge itself. If the underlying DUI cannot be proven, the child endangerment enhancement may not stand. We carefully examine:

• Field sobriety tests: Were they administered properly? Did fatigue, stress, or weather affect performance?
• Breath and blood tests: Were testing devices properly calibrated? Were samples contaminated or mishandled?
• Police reports and videos: Were your rights violated during the stop or arrest?

If the evidence is unreliable, Dod Law moves to have it suppressed — often leading to reduced or dismissed charges.

Disputing Child Endangerment Allegations

Prosecutors must prove you willfully placed a child in danger. Dod Law often demonstrates that:

• The child was properly secured and not at risk.
• You were not impaired to a level that posed actual danger.
• Law enforcement misinterpreted the situation or overcharged the case.
• The incident was an isolated mistake, not a pattern of reckless behavior.

By presenting these facts clearly and strategically, we can often convince prosecutors to drop the enhancement or reduce the case to a non-endangerment DUI offense.

Protecting Your Parental Rights

A DUI with child endangerment can trigger CPS involvement or family law consequences. Dod Law works proactively to limit these effects — coordinating with family law professionals if necessary, ensuring your parental rights remain intact, and preventing unnecessary disruptions to your family life.

Why Experience Matters

Defending a DUI with child endangerment requires more than knowledge of DUI law — it requires understanding how criminal law, family law, and administrative law intersect. Dod Law has years of experience defending clients facing complex DUI-related charges across Southern California, including cases involving injuries, minors, and felony allegations.

Our aggressive defense strategies have helped countless clients minimize penalties, avoid jail, and protect their families. We know how to negotiate effectively with prosecutors — and when needed, we are fully prepared to fight your case at trial.

Protect Your Freedom and Your Family — Call Dod Law

Being accused of a DUI with child endangerment can be frightening and overwhelming. But an accusation is not a conviction. With an experienced defense attorney on your side, you can fight back — and protect what matters most.

Dod Law aggressively defends SoCal DUIs, including cases involving child passengers and felony enhancements. We will review your case, challenge weak evidence, and pursue every avenue for dismissal, reduction, or alternative sentencing.

If you are facing a DUI with child endangerment in Southern California, contact Dod Law today for a confidential consultation. We wil start building your defense immediately — because your future, your family, and your freedom deserve nothing less.

To schedule a free consultation with a member of our first-class legal team, call us today at our San Diego office (619) 814-5110 | Orange County office 949-681-7020  | Vista office 760-814-6025 | or schedule an appointment by filling out our online contact form