Ellis County DWI Attorney | DWI Defense

Are You Looking for the Best Ellis County DWI Attorney?

If you’re looking for the best Ellis County DWI attorney, then Paul Saputo and Nick Toufexis want to represent you. Our distinguished lawyers have significant experience, but our history of success speaks for itself.

The Saputo Toufexis | Criminal Defense DWI defense attorneys seeks to represent discerning clients in Ellis County who value our commitment to achieving outstanding results. Our attorneys have dedicated their careers to criminal defense and maintain an unwavering dedication to delivering expert representation.

We’re not just Ellis County DWI lawyers. We are warriors fighting unjust and corrupt government prosecutions with a history of success and a reputation for tenacity, courage and legal ingenuity.

In addition to our notable high-profile victories, our history of success also includes inconspicuous representation of numerous high-profile clients. Indeed, many of our biggest wins involved disposing of these cases quietly and out of the sight of the public. Our team has a proven track record of successfully challenging DWI cases. Entrust us with your Ellis County DWI case, and we’ll meticulously manage every related matter, from safeguarding your driving privileges to devising a robust trial strategy, and anything else that you may require.

If the police arrested you for DWI in Ellis County, you might be wondering how you can possibly win. If you took a breath test or blood test, and the sample tested for over the legal limit, you might think there’s nothing you can do to fight these charges. But you would be wrong.

Whether you failed a breath test, blood test, the roadside field sobriety tests, or all three, a seasoned Ellis County DWI attorney can still utilize many defense strategies to win your case. An experienced DWI attorney on your side will make all the difference.

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Contact an Ellis County
DWI Lawyer

When you are ready to fight your Ellis County DWI case with us, schedule online or call us at 888-239-9305 to book a free, confidential consultation.

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Choosing The Right Ellis County DWI Lawyer Can Make A Huge Difference In Your Case Result

Why would you hire a former prosecutor? Surprisingly, some people believe that former prosecutors provide some special advantage. However, many of these attorneys seem to quickly push clients to a plea deal. If you really want someone who will fight for you or your loved one, get an attorney who has dedicated their life to protecting the accused.

At Saputo Toufexis | Criminal Defense, we are defense lawyers, first and foremost. We stake our reputation on bringing the fight to the state. We have never worked for the government and never will. Learn more about our team, awards, and some of our victories.

What should I do after I’m arrested for a DWI?

After a DWI arrest, you must act swiftly because you often only have 15 days from the date of your arrest to request an administrative hearing concerning your driver’s license. Failing to request an administrative hearing within the timeframe will result in an automatic driver’s license suspension.

Learn more about what happens to your drivers license after a DWI arrest – and four things you MUST do after a DWI arrest – in our DWI Resources Guide.

How do I get a DWI charge dropped in Ellis County, Texas?

In order to get a DWI charge dropped in Texas, you must convince the state that they cannot prove at least one of the elements of the offense as it is defined in Penal Code §49.04. Alternatively, you could show that the offense did not occur in Ellis County. Our lawyers are experts in the Texas law regarding DWI, and we leverage our legal knowledge to mount successful defenses to government prosecutions.

Thoroughly understanding both statutory law and case law contributes to effectively defending you in court. Consequently, as part of our practice, we publish a statutory resource guide on the DWI law in Texas. We also maintain our expertise by keeping up with the latest case law affecting DWI cases in Ellis County.

For now, the appellate courts have not issued any recent opinions on DWI cases in Ellis County that have caught our attention. However, note that we do not list cases involving other counties here, even though those cases can bind Ellis County courts. We continue to monitor the latest developments in DWI case law.

Law Enforcement Agencies in Ellis County that Make DWI Arrests

Peace officers with the Texas Department of Public Safety, constable offices, and municipal police departments can make arrests for violations of DWI in Ellis County. Law enforcement agencies in Ellis County that most typically make DWI arrests include:

• Ellis County Sheriff’s Office is one of the primary agencies responsible for DWI enforcement in Ellis County, Texas.
• Waxahachie Police Department serves as one of the municipal police departments within Ellis County and plays a significant role in DWI enforcement.
• Midlothian Police Department is another key agency in Ellis County responsible for law enforcement and DWI enforcement within its jurisdiction.
• Red Oak Police Department serves the community of Red Oak within Ellis County and may handle DWI cases within its jurisdiction.
• Ennis Police Department is responsible for law enforcement within Ennis and may contribute to DWI enforcement within its jurisdiction.

How do Ellis County DWI defense lawyers beat a DWI case?

To beat a DWI charge in Ellis County, Texas, you must understand the forensic science to challenge it and confront the witnesses on cross-examination. Blood and breath test scores mean nothing without proper analysis. Hold the state to its burden, and stand up for your constitutional rights.

Even if you believe you cannot beat the case, as your Ellis County DWI attorney, we will look for every avenue to help you. If you want to plead guilty, we must still fight to protect your rights. We want to ensure that the case does not ruin your life. Sometimes the defense strategy requires us to get the best possible result short of a not guilty verdict.

Ellis County DWI Attorney Case Defense Strategy

Our DWI defense strategy begins with a deep understanding of the methods that law enforcement use to investigate DWI offenses. Understanding the clues that police cite in explaining how they initiate stops helps us dispute their case screening methods and legal reasons for the stop. Understanding how police conduct DWI investigations, from their questioning methods to their administration of the field sobriety tests, helps us contest their field evidence and arrest decisions.

One of the most frequently asked questions from clients regarding law enforcement evidence-gathering is whether we can beat blood tests or beat breath tests with high BAC results. The fact is that we regularly beat cases with breath and blood test scores. If the state always won those cases, we would not have a job!

There are many factors that can affect the validity of breath tests and blood tests, so the tests are not always valid. In addition, the test results may not be meaningful if the police don’t have the right testimonial evidence. By examining every aspect of the testing protocols, an experienced Ellis County DWI can determine how to demonstrate problems with the tests.

However, not all DWI cases come down to challenging blood tests and breath tests. Sometimes cases come down to whether the police violated your constitutional rights, while others come down to whether the police accurately scored the field sobriety tests. Each DWI case is unique, but the key is to examine every single piece of evidence and challenge every assumption in the investigation.

How much does it cost to fight an Ellis County, Texas, DWI case?

Attorney’s fees for DWI cases inevitably vary. However, you can expect to pay from $2,500 to $5,000 on average for DWI 1st cases in Ellis County, and more for felony-level offenses. Be wary of Ellis County DWI lawyers who charge surprisingly low fees.

For some situations, some lawyers may charge hourly fees. In addition, many lawyers charge extra fees for trial, ALR hearings, and occupational licenses. If you hire an attorney from outside Ellis County, sometimes travel fees may apply.

What to Do if Falsely Accused of DWI in Ellis County

Even if someone has falsely accused you of DWI, you should nevertheless still always take this charge very seriously. You may think that the state may “drop charges” against you because you are innocent. But absent effective advocacy by a lawyer, the state will often take the case to trial and let the jury decide.

If the state has charged you with DWI, or if you are under investigation for the offense, then you should book an appointment or call us as soon as possible to speak with one of our Ellis County DWI attorneys.

Bond Conditions in Ellis County DWI Cases

If the police in Ellis County have arrested you for DWI, then judges are generally allowed to impose any reasonable condition of bond related to the safety of the community to secure your attendance at trial.

Practically speaking, this means that Texas judges typically impose a “no alcohol” bond condition and may require an ignition interlock device on your vehicle. Sometimes, especially for DWI 2nd and felony DWI cases, judges will require additional restrictions, such as a Soberlink device or ankle monitor. If you want to remove an ignition interlock device or another alcohol-monitoring devices condition, then please book a consultation with us, and we will discuss what our Ellis County DWI attorneys can do for you.

What happens at an Ellis County arraignment?

At your arraignment, an Ellis County judge will hear your plea of not guilty. In Ellis County, you may not have an attorney at your initial arraignment. However, the court will not hear a guilty plea prior to your being represented by counsel. In addition, the court may also set bail and bond conditions if you have not already received them.

If the police have arrested you for DWI, then Texas Code of Criminal Procedure §17.40 requires Ellis County judges to “impose any reasonable condition of bond related to the safety of a victim of the alleged offense or to the safety of the community” to secure your attendance at trial. If the state alleges that you violated those bond conditions, then the Ellis County Sheriff’s Office can immediately return you to custody. Accordingly, judges have very broad power in determining bail conditions and bond amounts.

What is the most common sentence for Ellis County DWI charge in Ellis County?

The Penal code defines the range of punishment for all Texas DWI offenses in the state. The Penal Code classifies DWI as a Class B misdemeanor, unless the state alleges that your BAC met or exceeded 0.15, in which case the code classifies the offense as a Class A misdemeanor. Additionally, the state may seek a repeat DWI enhancement to a Class A misdemeanor for DWI 2nd convictions, and to the felony level for third or subsequent DWI convictions.

However, the actual punishment you receive will vary significantly based on a number of circumstances, including your prior criminal history and the circumstances of the offense. With this in mind, you can learn about the penalties that apply to all Texas convictions for DWI here. Otherwise, to learn more about what kind of punishment is typical in Ellis County DWI cases, call us to schedule a consultation or book online by pressing the red button.

Furthermore, all good Ellis County DWI attorneys will also advise you on the collateral consequences of a DWI conviction. Collateral consequences are penalties derived from convictions that are not necessarily part of the penal code punishment. For DWI offeneses, collateral consequences can include things like driver’s license suspensions and reinstatement fees, insurance premium increases, immigration consequences, and professional licensing consequences.

Do you lose your license for your first DWI case in Texas?

Your license can be suspended after your first DWI arrest in Texas, but you don’t have to lose your license if you challenge the seizure. Your DWI Defense Attorney should request an ALR hearing after your arrest. Through this process you can delay your license suspension or beat it altogether.

What happens if you fail a breathalyzer in Texas?

If you fail a breathalyzer test in Texas, the police will seize your license. However, failing a breathalyzer does not mean you will lose your DWI case. In fact, you can even fight your drivers license seizure and possibly prevent your license suspension.

How do I hide my first DWI case in Texas?

In order to hide your first DWI case in Texas, you will need to obtain a nondisclosure or an expunction. A nondisclosure hides your records by sealing them from public view, while an expunction destroys the records. You are only eligible for an expunction if you were acquitted or if your case resulted in a “straight dismissal.” It is a little bit easier to get a nondislcosure.

Why Should I Hire a DWI Lawyer?

If law enforcement has already arrested you for a DWI in Texas, you should know that you face a hostile criminal justice system that is eager to put you away for a long time. You deserve quality representation from an experienced DWI lawyer. Without proper representation, it is more likely that the court will find you guilty. DWI convictions in Texas can have disastrous consequences, even after you serve your sentence.

Employers who conduct background checks will see your DWI conviction. This can hurt your chances of even being called in for an interview when you need a job. a DWI conviction can negatively affect other areas of your life. Any time someone wants to run your background check they will see the conviction and often judge you negatively. DWI convictions will also impact your driving privileges. If your license is suspended, you may need to rely on public transportation or the kindness of relatives to get around.

If the police recently arrested you for a Ellis County DWI or other Ellis County intoxication offense, you MUST know the information in our DWI Defense Guide

Types of DWI Charges in Texas

When most people think about a DWI, they usually envision cases of driving while intoxicated. While this is one type of DWI charge, various other DWI charges can lead to an arrest. Outlined in Chapter 49 of the Texas Penal Code, DWI charges in Texas include:

• PC 49.04 – Driving (Operating a Motor Vehicle) While Intoxicated (“DWI”)
• PC 49.04 – DWI (2nd offense)
• PC 49.04 – DWI (3rd offense) felony
• PC 49.045 – Driving While Intoxicated With Child Passenger
• PC 49.05 – Flying While Intoxicated
• PC 49.06 – Boating While Intoxicated
• PC 49.061 – Boating While Intoxicated with Child Passenger
• PC 49.065 – Assembling or Operating an Amusement Park Ride While Intoxicated
• PC 49.07 – Intoxication Assault
• PC 49.08 – Intoxication Manslaughter
• ABC 106.041 – Driving or Operating Watercraft Under the Influence of Alcohol by a Minor (“DUI“)

At Saputo Toufexis | Criminal Defense, our Ellis County DWI attorneys have successfully defended clients charged with these offenses and can use our experience to your advantage in putting you in the very best position to win your DWI case.

Felony DWI Charges Deserve Top-Tier Representation

The state can sometimes charge a DWI or intoxication offense as a felony Four scenarios can result in a felony DWI or intoxication charge:

• After two DWI convictions, the state convicts you of a third or subsequent DWI.
• You caused a non-fatal injury in an accident while operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated. If any party was seriously injured or permanently disfigured, the state will charge this as Intoxication Assault, a third-degree felony in Texas.
• You caused a death in an accident caused by your drunk driving. The state will charge this offense as Intoxication Manslaughter, a second-degree felony in Texas.
• You had a child in your car or boat while driving under the influence. If the child was younger than 15, the state will charge this as a Driving While Intoxicated With Child Passenger or Boating While Intoxicated with Child Passenger, both state jail felonies.

If you need an Ellis County DWI attorney for felony prosecutions, please contact us today.

About Saputo Toufexis | Criminal Defense

If you want to hire us as your Ellis County DWI lawyers, then you should probably get to know us!

The Saputo Toufexis | Criminal Defense Lawyers

Paul Saputo and Nicholas Toufexis are partners at Saputo Toufexis | Criminal Defense PLLC and lead the entire trial team at the firm.

Mr. Saputo has practiced throughout Texas in more than fifty Texas state and federal courts and developed groundbreaking innovations in defense strategies and tactics. After graduating from the elite Duke University School of Law, a nationally recognized top-ten law school, Mr. Saputo started his career at Vinson & Elkins. More about Paul Saputo…

Mr. Toufexis is a veteran of the United States Navy and a graduate of SMU Dedman School of Law. He has dedicated his entire legal career to criminal defense, and has been with the firm since law school. Recently named a partner, Nick has achieved exceptional results in and out of court for years. More about Nick…

Awards

Numerous organizations have awarded Mr. Saputo recognition for his outstanding criminal defense work, for example:

• Martindale-Hubbell® AV Preeminent™ Rating
• Recognized by Super Lawyers®
• Consistently recognized by D Magazine in “Best Lawyers” for Criminal Defense
• Recognized by Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America for 2024 under the Criminal Defense: White Collar practice area.

Paul Saputo was voted one of the Three Best Rated Criminal Defense Lawyers in Dallas

More Awards & Recognition…

Nicholas Toufexis has likewise received many distinctions as well.

• Recognized by Super Lawyers®
• Recognized by Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America for 2024 under the Criminal Defense: DWI/DUI practice area.

Victories

The Ellis County DWI attorneys at Saputo Toufexis | Criminal Defense PLLC have obtained hundreds of victories in complex criminal litigation across Texas. Our victories include Not Guilty verdicts by jury acquittals, directed verdicts of Not Guilty, as well as both conditional and unconditional dismissals.

For descriptions and some details about example victories, visit our page on Notable Victories.

Reviews

One example review from a real client:

I had a great experience having him as my attorney for my DWI case. My case went to trial and I got the best representation from him in court. He did an excellent job and got my case dismissed (Not Guilty) I would HIGHLY recommend him, he did an excellent job beyond my expectations.

– Real client review posted on the Saputo Toufexis | Criminal Defense PLLC Google Profile.

See more client reviews and testimonials here.