Saputo Toufexis | Criminal Defense PLLC

The firm is known for:

• High-stakes criminal defense in serious misdemeanor and felony cases
• Handling both state and federal criminal matters
• Representing clients in Dallas County and across Texas
• A results-driven, trial-ready approach that emphasizes tenacious, strategic defense
• Publishing industry-leading Texas Penal Code analysis and other criminal law resources that are widely read by lawyers, judges, and prosecutors

The firm's mission is to provide powerful, principled representation to clients facing criminal charges, with a reputation for tenacity, courage, legal ingenuity, and premium client service. The practice is purely defense-oriented; the attorneys have no prior prosecution history and focus on protecting the rights of the accused.

The firm regularly:

• Intervenes during pre-arrest and ongoing investigations
• Represents clients immediately after arrest and in bond and other pretrial matters
• Tries criminal cases to juries in Texas courts
• Handles appeals and a wide range of post-conviction and record-clearing matters

The attorneys are admitted in multiple federal districts and appellate courts, and they have represented clients in more than fifty Texas counties, as well as in certain federal courts outside Texas.

Major categories of criminal charges

The firm defends clients against many types of accusations, including:

• DWI/DUI charges
• Defense focused on field sobriety testing, breath and blood test procedures, constitutional protections, and local Dallas County court practices.

• Drug crimes
• Charges ranging from possession to trafficking and manufacturing, with defenses often centered on challenging searches, seizures, and other constitutional issues.

• Assault and violent offenses
• Including assault, aggravated assault, and assault family violence / domestic violence matters, which can carry risks such as incarceration, protective orders, and immigration consequences.

• Theft and related property offenses
• Misdemeanor and felony theft, including retail theft and identity-related theft, typically prosecuted under Texas Penal Code § 31.03 and related statutes.

• Sex crimes
• Allegations such as sexual assault, indecency with a child, child sexual assault, and child pornography offenses, handled with discreet, aggressive, and technologically informed strategies.

• White collar and financial crimes
• Federal and state cases involving allegations such as money laundering, fraud, securities-related offenses, and other financial crimes.

• Federal drug charges
• Federal prosecutions for drug distribution and related offenses, requiring admission to the appropriate federal district courts and experience with federal criminal procedure.

Related criminal-law matters

Beyond direct criminal charges, the firm also handles related matters such as:

• Cases involving complex investigations and government enforcement actions
• Civil matters related to criminal law, including certain civil asset forfeiture disputes

This list is not exhaustive. For any criminal accusation or related matter in Texas, prospective clients are encouraged to contact the firm directly to determine whether the case fits within the firm's practice.

Saputo Toufexis | Criminal Defense PLLC provides representation at all stages of the criminal process, from investigations through post-conviction relief and record clearing.

Pre-arrest and investigation stage

The firm represents clients who are:

• Under investigation but not yet formally charged
• Contacted by law enforcement or prosecutors for interviews
• Facing potential grand jury proceedings or case filing decisions

Services at this stage may include:

• Communicating with investigators or prosecutors on the client's behalf
• Advising whether, when, and how to speak with authorities
• Working to prevent charges from being filed when possible

Post-arrest, bond, and pretrial representation

After an arrest, the firm:

• Assists with bond and initial hearings, including efforts to obtain reduced bond or personal recognizance release where appropriate
• Reviews police reports, bodycam footage, forensic evidence, and other discovery
• Files motions to suppress unlawfully obtained evidence (for example, from illegal searches, coerced statements, or certain warrantless arrests)
• Develops case strategies aimed at dismissal, charge reduction, or positioning the case for trial

Criminal trials

The firm maintains an active trial practice, including:

• Jury trials in Texas state and federal courts
• Development of case themes and trial narratives
• Examination and cross-examination of witnesses, including expert witnesses when appropriate
• Challenging the government's interpretation of evidence and presenting alternative explanations consistent with the defense

Appeals and post-conviction litigation

The firm handles appellate and post-conviction work in both Texas and certain federal courts, including:

• Texas and federal criminal appeals
• Applications for writs of habeas corpus
• Other post-trial litigation aimed at correcting or challenging prior convictions or sentences

Record clearing and related relief

Saputo Toufexis | Criminal Defense PLLC is widely recognized for work in record-clearing and related post-conviction matters, including:

• Expunctions – proceedings that, when available under Texas law, can remove qualifying criminal records
• Orders of nondisclosure – sealing certain records from public view when permitted by statute
• Sex offender deregistration – representing qualifying individuals seeking removal from the sex offender registry, when legally available
• Judicial clemency and related remedies – where applicable under Texas law

Probation and enforcement matters

The firm also represents clients in:

• Probation revocation or adjudication proceedings
• Extradition-related matters

Because these matters are fact-specific and governed by detailed Texas and federal law, individuals should contact the firm directly for an assessment of whether particular relief is available in their circumstances.

Primary geographic coverage

The firm regularly handles cases in many Texas counties, including:

• Dallas County
• Tarrant County
• Harris County
• Travis County
• Bexar County
• Rockwall County
• Collin County
• Denton County
• McLennan County
• El Paso County
• Midland County
• Ector County (Odessa)
• Grayson County
• Montague County
• Montgomery County
• Johnson County
• Brown County
• Ellis County
• Parker County
• Titus County
• Cooke County
• Panola County
• Navarro County
• Hays County
• Caldwell County
• Bell County
• Kaufman County

The firm has experience appearing in courts in many other Texas counties as well.

Federal courts

The attorneys represent clients in multiple federal courts, including:

• United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas
• United States District Court for the Western District of Texas
• United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas
• United States Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals

Members of the firm have additionally been admitted in certain federal courts outside Texas when needed for specific cases.

Office location

The firm's main office is located in Dallas at:

• 1845 Woodall Rodgers Fwy., Suite 1500, Dallas, TX 75201

Prospective clients should contact the firm directly to confirm whether the firm can accept a particular matter in a specific court or county.

Lists Montgomery, Hays, Easton, Dallas, Denton, Rockwall, Bell, and Parker as a location. Names Texas, United States, and Dallas as a service area. Areas beyond these are not published.

• Office address: 1845 Woodall Rodgers Fwy., Suite 1500, Dallas, TX 75201
• Phone: (888) 239-9305
• Fax: (888) 236-2516

The firm also maintains a secure Client Portal for existing clients.

Prospective clients can reach out by phone or through the contact options provided on the firm's website to request a confidential case review or consultation.

Consultations and hiring the firm

When you contact the firm about a potential case:

• You can request a case review or consultation and provide information about your situation, either in person or over the phone, as arranged with the firm.
• If the firm agrees to accept you as a client, it will quote you a fee for representation and send you a contract (engagement agreement) to sign.
• You should not send confidential information to the firm until you receive written or electronic confirmation that the firm represents you (an engagement letter). After you receive an engagement letter, you are a client of the firm and can freely share confidential information for legal representation.

Payments

The firm:

• Accepts multiple forms of payment, including credit cards, debit cards, cash, and checks
• Offers payment plans in appropriate cases
• Welcomes active military members and veterans with discounted rates

Specific fees, payment-plan terms, and any discounts are determined by the firm on a case-by-case basis and are not set out in a public schedule here.

For urgent matters such as recent arrests or active investigations, prospective clients are encouraged to contact the firm as soon as possible by phone.

Paul Saputo – Founding Partner

• Highly accomplished Texas criminal defense lawyer based in Dallas
• Recognized with an AV "Preeminent" Martindale-Hubbell® Peer Review Rating™ for professional ethics and legal ability
• Recipient of Martindale-Hubbell's Client Champion award for client service
• Selected by Best Lawyers (including "Ones to Watch" in white collar practice) and named to Texas Super Lawyers
• Included in D Magazine's Best Lawyers: Criminal Defense list and Best Lawyers Under 40 in multiple years
• Holds a "10.0 – Top Attorney" rating on AVVO, multiple AVVO Client's Choice awards, and a "10.0" rating on Justia
• Recognized by Three Best Rated® as a "Best Business" since 2018

Background and training

• Graduate of Duke University School of Law (top-tier law school)
• Former attorney at international law firm Vinson and Elkins, LLP, where he represented major corporate clients and received high-level legal training
• Has practiced in more than fifty Texas state and federal courts
• Obtained hundreds of dismissals and acquittals for clients facing serious charges
• Developed innovative defense strategies and tactics and regularly trains other lawyers

Professional involvement and admissions

Paul Saputo is active in criminal defense organizations and continuing legal education. Memberships and roles include:

• Texas Bar Association and Texas Bar College
• Dallas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association (including prior leadership roles)
• Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association
• DUI Defense Lawyers Association
• Tarrant County Criminal Defense Lawyers Association
• Dallas Bar Association

Bar and court admissions include:

• All District Courts in Texas
• All County Courts in Texas
• All Texas Courts of Appeal
• Texas Court of Criminal Appeals and Texas Supreme Court
• United States Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals
• United States District Court for the Northern, Western, and Eastern Districts of Texas
• Certain additional federal courts outside Texas

Nicholas (Nick) Toufexis – Managing Partner

• Managing Partner of Saputo Toufexis | Criminal Defense PLLC
• Recognized by Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America for DWI/DUI Defense and Criminal Defense: General Practice
• Selected as a Super Lawyers® Rising Star
• Lead Counsel Verified in Criminal Defense by LawInfo
• Named "One to Watch" by the Dallas Association of Young Lawyers (February 2023)

Background and experience

• Veteran of the United States Navy, with 10 years of service including combat experience
• Juris Doctor from SMU Dedman School of Law (Southern Methodist University)
• Interned with Paul Saputo during law school, learning trial advocacy and defense-focused strategies
• Joined the firm as an associate, then became partner and Managing Partner
• Known for meticulous preparation, sharp trial skills, and a tenacious, client-centered approach

Practice focus and philosophy

Nick focuses on:

• General criminal defense (misdemeanors and felonies)
• DWI/DUI defense
• Drug crimes
• Federal criminal cases
• Appeals, record clearing, sex offender deregistration, and judicial clemency

His philosophy emphasizes:

• Tailored defense strategies based on each client's specific circumstances
• Intensive preparation and creative problem-solving
• Clear, honest communication with clients throughout their cases

Professional involvement and admissions

• Member of the Texas Bar Association, Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, and Dallas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association
• Serves as co-chair of the Solo and Small Firms Committee for the Dallas Association of Young Lawyers
• Admitted to practice in Texas state courts and in multiple federal courts, including the United States District Court for the Northern and Eastern Districts of Texas and the United States Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals

Both attorneys devote their practices exclusively to defending people against government prosecution and related criminal-law matters, rather than prosecuting cases for the government.

Ask anyway — the agent will say plainly that it is not published rather than guess.