When your child is accused of drinking and driving, it can feel like everything is suddenly at risk. School, work, college plans, and your child’s reputation may all seem uncertain. At The Law Office of Patrick O’Fiel, P.C., we help families in Kerrville and across the Texas Hill Country navigate juvenile and underage DUI charges with calm, informed guidance.
Our firm has more than 20 years of criminal defense experience, and a fifth-generation attorney leads our practice. We use that background, along with our local knowledge of courts that hear cases from Kerr County, to help families understand their options and make thoughtful decisions. You do not have to figure this out alone.
If your teenager or young adult is facing an alcohol-related driving charge, we are here to listen, answer questions, and discuss how we can help protect your child’s future. Contact us online to call today.
Why Families Turn To Our Firm
Parents who contact us after a juvenile or underage DUI are often scared, frustrated, and unsure whom to trust. They want a juvenile DUI lawyer in Kerrville who families can talk to openly, who will take the time to understand what really happened. We structure our practice so that each case receives personal attention, not a rushed, surface-level review.
With over two decades in criminal defense, we have seen how quickly a single mistake can follow a young person into adulthood. Our attorney draws on a five-generation legacy of legal service, and our goal is to use that experience to support your family through a very difficult season. We focus on learning about your child’s background, goals, and the circumstances of the stop, so that we can present a fuller picture to the court when appropriate.
Communication is central to how we work. We keep parents informed about upcoming hearings, likely timelines, and what to expect at each step. We also work to explain the process to young clients in clear, age-appropriate language, so they understand what is happening and why. Our office is located in Kerrville, and we regularly work with cases that go through courts serving Kerr County and the wider Texas Hill Country, which helps us understand how local procedures and preferences can affect a case.
When it is helpful, we can connect families with other professionals, such as counselors or education programs, so that legal strategy is paired with support for the young person’s life outside the courtroom. Our aim is to treat your child with respect and dignity while working to limit the long-term impact of this charge.
Juvenile & Underage DUI In Texas
To make good decisions for your child, it helps to understand, in broad terms, how Texas treats alcohol and driving for young people. In Texas, many cases involving children under 17 go through the juvenile court system. Young people who are 17 to 20 are usually handled in adult criminal court, yet they still face unique underage alcohol rules. The specific court that hears the case typically depends on the age of the child and where the stop occurred.
Texas has strict laws for drivers who are under 21 and who are accused of having alcohol in their system. Even a small amount of alcohol can lead to legal consequences. Charges might involve an allegation that your child drove after consuming alcohol, or related offenses that can accompany a stop. Any of these can bring serious short-term and long-term effects, especially if not addressed carefully.
Possible outcomes of a juvenile or underage DUI case can include fines, community service, alcohol education, probation terms, or driver’s license consequences. In some situations, the court may also look at school attendance, behavior, and family support when deciding what is appropriate. These decisions are usually made in local courts, and procedures there may affect how quickly a case moves and which options are realistically available.
A conviction or adjudication can affect more than just the courtroom. It can influence future schooling, job applications, military service, and housing. Part of our role is to explain how the law may apply in your child’s situation and to talk through which paths are available, so your family is not surprised later by consequences that could have been considered earlier. When you work with an underage DUI attorney, Kerrville families can meet with them in person, you can ask questions specific to your child’s circumstances, and get answers grounded in Texas practice.
What To Do After A Juvenile DUI
The hours and days after your child is stopped for suspected drinking and driving are stressful, and it can be hard to know what to do first. Taking a few organized steps can help protect your child’s rights and place your family in a better position as the case begins to unfold. Acting early can also give a juvenile DUI attorney Kerrville that the parents trust more time to review what happened.
Helpful steps for families after a youth DUI charge:
Gather and keep all paperwork, including citations, bond documents, and any notice of a court date or hearing.
Write down what your child remembers about the stop, in as much detail as possible, while the events are still fresh.
Remind your child not to discuss the incident with friends on social media, since those posts can sometimes surface later.
Avoid having your child speak in depth with law enforcement about the facts without first getting legal advice.
Mark courts dates on a calendar and plans for work, school, and transportation to avoid missed appearances.
After these first steps, it is wise to consult a lawyer who understands juvenile and underage DUI cases in this region. Early involvement allows us to review the reason for the stop, how any testing was handled, and whether there are options that might be time sensitive. At The Law Office of Patrick O’Fiel, P.C., we encourage parents to reach out as soon as they learn of the charge so that we can discuss what to expect and how our team can assist your family.
How We Help Protect Your Child
When you choose to work with our firm, your child’s case is not treated like a number on a docket. We take the time to review the details, including the traffic stop, any breath or blood testing, and your child’s history and current situation. Our goal is to identify both legal issues and practical steps that may help reduce the impact of the case over time, and to do so with respect for your child and your family.
As an underage DUI lawyer Kerrville families can turn to, we focus on more than just the immediate hearing. We talk with you about how different outcomes could affect your child’s schooling, driving privileges, and future opportunities. We then work to tailor our approach to those concerns, whether that involves challenging parts of the case, exploring programs that may be available, or presenting information about your child’s strengths and efforts to the court when appropriate.
Communication is central to this process. We keep you updated on developments, explain what each court date is about, and prepare your child for what they may be asked or expected to do. We also encourage questions, because understanding the process can ease some of the anxiety that comes with a juvenile or underage DUI case. When helpful, we can suggest outside resources, such as counseling or education programs, that may support your child personally and can sometimes be valuable in how a judge views the situation.
If you are searching for a juvenile DUI attorney Kerrville families can meet with to discuss a specific case, we are ready to listen. At The Law Office of Patrick O’Fiel, P.C., we use our experience in Texas courts, our network of professionals, and our dedication to personal attention to work toward outcomes that protect both your child’s dignity and their long-term future.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will a juvenile DUI stay on my child’s record?
Whether a juvenile DUI stays on a record depends on the type of case, the outcome, and how Texas law treats that specific situation. Some juvenile matters may be sealed or restricted under certain conditions. During a consultation, we can explain what options may exist for your child.
What happens at the first court date in Kerrville?
The first court date typically involves confirming the charges, addressing basic issues such as legal representation, and scheduling future settings. The exact procedure can vary by court and judge. We work with families to prepare them for what to expect when a case begins in this area.
How soon should we contact your office after an arrest?
We recommend contacting our office as soon as you learn about the arrest or citation. Early involvement allows us to review paperwork, timelines, and possible options before important decisions are made. The sooner we talk, the more time we have to help you plan the next steps thoughtfully.
Can you help my teenager avoid jail for a DUI?
Many juvenile and underage DUI cases do not involve jail, but outcomes depend on the facts, history, and court involved. We cannot guarantee a result, yet we work to pursue options that reduce harsh penalties where possible. We also focus on presenting your child’s circumstances in a responsible way.
How will you keep our family informed throughout the case?
We place a high priority on communication. Our team keeps parents updated on court dates, developments, and decisions that need to be made. We also explain the process to young clients in clear language. Our goal is for you to understand what is happening at each step and why.
Talk To Our Kerrville Defense Team
A juvenile or underage DUI charge is serious, but your family does not have to face it without guidance. With more than 20 years of criminal defense practice in Kerrville and throughout the Texas Hill Country, The Law Office of Patrick O’Fiel, P.C. is prepared to help you understand the road ahead and consider options that fit your child’s situation.
When you contact our firm, you speak with a team that values personal attention, clear communication, and a steady focus on protecting your child’s future. We listen carefully, answer questions, and discuss how a juvenile DUI attorney Kerrville families trust can assist with the next steps in your case. To talk with our office about your child’s charges, call us today.
Call (830) 331-5977 to speak with our Kerrville defense team about a juvenile or underage DUI case.
“Patrick and his staff were always very kind, helpful and upfront with me. They helped me through a difficult situation. I always knew I could count on them to be there for me.”
“Patrick and his staff were always very kind, helpful and upfront with me. They helped me through a difficult situation. I always knew I could count on them to be there for me.”
Linda
“Mr. Ofiel was very professional. He showed consideration to our personal needs. I would very much use him again in any legal issues I have.”
“Mr. Ofiel was very professional. He showed consideration to our personal needs. I would very much use him again in any legal issues I have.”
Brenda
“Patrick and his staff used their experience more than once too calm me from the emotion of the day. When I or my X would "get in the weeds" over what I see now as a trivial matter, they would calmly usher me back to the task at hand.”
“Patrick and his staff used their experience more than once too calm me from the emotion of the day. When I or my X would "get in the weeds" over what I see now as a trivial matter, they would calmly usher me back to the task at hand.”
Dave
“Patrick represented me in a very bitter child custody case after my daughter was killed in a car accident. I wanted both children to stay together and the other person only wanted one. He did a lot of research and he's very professional”
“Patrick represented me in a very bitter child custody case after my daughter was killed in a car accident. I wanted both children to stay together and the other person only wanted one. He did a lot of research he's very professional.”
Client Testimonials
