Dallas Underage DWI Attorney

Are You Looking for the Best Lawyer for an Underage DWI Case?

If you’re looking for the best lawyer for an underage DWI case, we want you to hire us. At Saputo Toufexis | Criminal Defense, we fight aggressively to defend young clients and protect their futures. Our law office has built a reputation for success in challenging and high-profile cases under Texas law. 

Whether the case involves the underage drinking and driving “zero tolerance” law or more serious felony allegations, our team approaches the case with an aim to build a strong defense strategy. When immediate penalties threaten you or your child’s future, you need legal representation from an experienced attorney who knows how to win.

Underage DWI charges don’t just risk a fine or class attendance—they can result in a permanent criminal history. Even as a Class C misdemeanor, the collateral legal consequences can follow someone for life. Texas underage DWI laws impose harsh restrictions, even for a first offense, and prosecutors pursue convictions aggressively.

We understand how underage drinking and driving cases are prosecuted and how to fight back. By combining cutting-edge defense tactics with a deep understanding of Texas law, we deliver results when everything is on the line.

Understanding DWI Charges and the Legal Process for Minors

Texas treats underage DUI charges with a level of seriousness that many families do not expect. Even a first offense can lead to long-term consequences, including a criminal record that follows someone into adulthood. Underage DWI charges fall under Texas Penal Code §49.04, the same statute used for adult DWI charges. However, these cases often involve different legal standards and processes because of the defendant’s age.

The legal process begins at the moment of arrest and continues through arraignment, hearings, and potential trial. At every step, the law office representing the accused must build a defense strategy that reflects both the stakes and the client’s future. Although a first offense may be classified as a Class B misdemeanor, prosecutors are unlikely to treat these cases lightly. A conviction for a Dallas underage DWI offense counts as a criminal charge, not a warning—even when the offense occurs without a crash or injury.

We help clients navigate the legal process with precision, always focused on protecting their future and fighting to avoid a damaging conviction.

For many clients facing an underage DWI, this is their first offense. However, that doesn’t make the severe penalties any less real. A conviction can result in a jail driver’s license suspension, a prison driver’s license suspension, or even both. If the charge results in a DWI conviction, the license suspension may last far longer than expected.

Our law firm prepares a defense that anticipates both administrative and criminal outcomes. An experienced underage DWI lawyer knows that every step after the arrest matters. If you are facing these challenges, request a confidential consultation right away. We can help guide you through this critical phase and protect your rights.

How to Protect Driving Privileges through the Administrative License Revocation Process

Underage DUI charges can trigger an administrative license suspension simply for refusing or failing a breath or blood sample test before criminal cases are even filed. Under Texas law, police officers may initiate a license suspension on the spot. This process activates the administrative driver’s license suspension, which runs separately from the criminal case.

If analysis reveals that the minor had any detectable amount of alcohol in their system, he or she may be subject to an administrative driver’s license suspension for 60 days. 

A driver’s license suspension is one of the first and most disruptive penalties in these cases. Our law office prioritizes moving quickly after an arrest to request a hearing and fight the suspension through the legal system.

If the court finds a person guilty, the court may impose an additional suspension, along with possible jail time.

These consequences threaten more than just the ability to drive. They can also affect school, work, and a young adult’s future. For families dealing with underage DWI allegations, protecting driving privileges becomes a critical goal. Our law office understands how to challenge both the arrest and the resulting license suspension.

The Impact of Breath or Blood Test Results

In many cases, the prosecution relies heavily on breath or blood test results. But under Texas’s implied consent laws, submitting a breath or blood sample is not always optional if you’re operating a motor vehicle—and refusal carries consequences. And if you submitted to a test, the results could become a central issue in your case.

A first offense doesn’t shield young defendants from the law’s most severe consequences. Even when the blood alcohol concentration is below the legal limit of 0.08, a Dallas underage DWI charge can still lead to penalties under Texas’s zero tolerance policies if there’s any detectable amount of alcohol. 

Our law office understands how to challenge the admissibility, reliability, and administration of chemical testing. Whether the state’s evidence includes one test or several, we know how to respond. We’ve successfully defended underage DWI clients at every stage.

What a Criminal Charge Means in Underage DWI Cases

A criminal charge for underage DWI can take many forms depending on the facts of the case. In some cases, prosecutors may file the charge as a Class C misdemeanor for a first offense, especially when there’s no accident or elevated blood alcohol level. However, even the lowest-level charge can result in jail time or land a young driver in county jail.

A conviction can affect a student’s record, future opportunities, and even housing eligibility. That’s why families often reach out to our law firm for a confidential consultation early in the process. We understand the stakes and act quickly.

An underage DWI lawyer at our firm will evaluate the legal issues, craft a tailored defense strategy, and fight for a favorable outcome. With the right strategy, we can often reduce or eliminate the most damaging consequences of these charges. With experienced legal representation, we can fight the case at the same time we negotiate for potential resolutions like deferred adjudication, including hours of community service and alcohol awareness courses. 

How Criminal Defense Lawyers Help Protect You or Your Child’s Future After a DWI Arrest

A DWI conviction can have serious consequences that extend far beyond the courtroom. A single incident of underage drinking can threaten your child’s life and future—jeopardizing college admissions, scholarships, and professional licensing.

At our law office, we understand how high the stakes are for young defendants and their families. That’s why every DWI lawyer on our team works to reduce exposure to legal penalties and push for a favorable outcome. In many cases, this includes options like alcohol awareness programs and hours of community service instead of incarceration.

By examining the blood alcohol concentration and all relevant factors, we build a defense focused on protecting long-term opportunities. A thoughtful legal approach in these cases may mean the difference between a life-altering conviction and a second chance.

Challenging Breath or Blood Test Evidence and the Officer’s Reasonable Suspicion

Many DWI investigations start with a traffic stop based on reasonable suspicion, making it critical to challenge the evidence that follows. If a breath or blood sample was taken without proper cause, your underage DWI lawyer may file to suppress the results entirely. We often challenge the legal basis for the stop, especially when the offense occurs without a valid finding of reasonable suspicion.