Matthew J. Ruff Juvenile Law Blog on Lawyers.com

More and more Big Brother is regulating the way we raise our kids. In California, Effective July 1, 2008, it is a criminal offense infraction for a juvenile (person under 18) to drive a motor vehicle while using a wireless telephone, even if equipped with a hands-free device, or while using a mobile service device. The Vehicle Code Violation is punishable by a $20 fine (plus penalty assessments which can triple the fine) for a first offense, or a $50 fine, subsequent offense. The one saving grace is that a law enforcement officer is not allowed to stop a vehicle for the sole purpose of determining whether the driver is violating this section, however we all know the police will often use a pretext to justify the traffic stop. 

Interestingly, the section does not apply to a person using a wireless telephone or a mobile service device for emergency purposes, including, but not limited to, an emergency call to a law enforcement agency, health care provider, fire department, or other emergency services agency or entity. (Vehicle Code 23124).  There is no doubt that other states will soon follow in enacting legislation mirroring the statiute in California.