An underage DUI arrest in Tampa moves on two tracks at once. Florida’s zero tolerance law lets officers suspend the license of any driver under 21 with a breath or blood alcohol level of 0.02 or higher, and a driver who reaches 0.08 or shows impairment can also face a criminal DUI charge in Hillsborough County Court. Students at USF, UT, and HCC, along with their parents, often have only 10 days to challenge the license suspension. The Tampa attorneys below handle underage and college DUI cases, administrative license hearings, and related alcohol charges. This guide to the Best Underage DUI Lawyers in Tampa, FL helps readers explore local legal representation.
1. Amarosa Law Firm, P.A.
- Attorney: James R. Amarosa II, Esq., Founder
- Address: 3825 Henderson Blvd, Suite 207, Tampa, FL 33629
- Phone: (813) 251-0700
- Website: amarosalaw.com
- Practice Areas: Criminal Defense, DUI, Underage DUI, Multiple DUI, Murder, Homicide, Manslaughter, Solicitation, Child Pornography, Gun Crime, Stand Your Ground Defense, Drug Crime, Drug Trafficking, Arson, Assault, Battery, Sex Crime, Sexual Assault, Statutory Rape, Violent Crime, Robbery, Lewd and Lascivious Conduct, Sexual Battery, Domestic Violence, White Collar Crime, Embezzlement, Fraud, Healthcare Fraud, Tax Fraud, Financial Crime, Human Trafficking, Theft, Burglary, College and Student Crime, Probation Violation, Juvenile Criminal Defense
- Experience: Admitted to The Florida Bar in 2007; former Certified Legal Intern, Hillsborough County Public Defender’s Office; past President, Hillsborough County Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (2010 to 2012)
- Recognition: Barry Cohen Award for Excellence in Criminal Defense, HCACDL (2024); Florida Supreme Court Certified Mediator
- Google Rating: 4.6 ★ (56 reviews)
- Google Business Profile: View on Google Maps
- Social Profiles: Facebook | X | LinkedIn
About: Amarosa Law Firm, P.A. defends young drivers through the firm’s dedicated Tampa underage DUI practice. Attorney James R. Amarosa II began his career with the Hillsborough County Public Defender’s Office and later led the county’s criminal defense bar association. He has taught criminal justice and forensic investigation, and he reviews breath testing, stop procedures, and constitutional issues in every file. The firm also handles juvenile and student matters that can follow an alcohol arrest, and it answers calls 24 hours a day. For readers comparing the Best Underage DUI Lawyers in Tampa, FL, Amarosa Law Firm, P.A. is featured for its dedicated underage DUI practice.
2. Parks & Braxton, PA
- Attorneys: Michael Braxton, Andrew Parks, Valentina Grizales
- Address: 602 S Boulevard, Suite A, Tampa, FL 33606
- Phone: (813) 708-5388
- Website: tampaduidefenders.com
- Practice Focus: DUI defense only, including underage DUI, college DUI, breath test refusal, and DMV hearings
About: Parks & Braxton limits its practice to DUI cases and keeps separate resources for underage and college DUI charges. The firm emphasizes the 10-day window to protect a license and offers representation at DMV review hearings. It also serves Pinellas and Pasco Counties.
3. Brett Metcalf, Criminal Defense Attorneys, P.A.
- Attorney: Brett Metcalf
- Address: 2011 W Cleveland St, Suite A-1, Tampa, FL 33606
- Phone: (813) 820-6706
- Website: hillsboroughdefense.com
- Practice Focus: Underage DUI, first through third DUI, felony DUI, drug crimes, domestic violence
About: Brett Metcalf’s firm maintains a dedicated underage DUI page and stresses fast action on the administrative suspension. The firm describes practice at the George E. Edgecomb Courthouse and offers free consultations around the clock.
4. Brian Palacios Law
- Attorney: Brian Palacios
- Address: 3502 Henderson Blvd, Suite 210, Tampa, FL 33609
- Phone: (813) 461-3457
- Website: brianpalacioslaw.com
- Practice Focus: Underage DUI, college DUI, CDL DUI, DMV hearings, criminal defense
About: Brian Palacios offers separate pages for underage and college DUI and represents clients at DMV hearings. Clients report speaking directly with the attorney, and the firm advertises 24/7 availability.
5. StechLaw Criminal Defense
- Attorney: Ben Stechschulte
- Founded: 2012
- Address: 1105 W Swann Ave, Tampa, FL 33606
- Phone: (813) 491-1073
- Website: tpatrialattorneys.com
- Practice Focus: Underage DUI, DUI, RIDR first-time DUI program, juvenile crimes
About: StechLaw lists underage DUI among its DUI services and handles juvenile matters. Ben Stechschulte has worked in criminal law since 2005 and brings board certification to young drivers facing their first case.
6. The Hardy Law Firm, P.A.
- Attorney: David C. Hardy
- Founded: 2010
- Address: 1710 N 19th St, Suite 215, Tampa, FL 33605 (Ybor City)
- Phone: (813) 734-7190
- Website: thehardylawfirm.com
- Practice Focus: DUI, DUI license issues, possession of alcohol by a minor, criminal defense
About: David Hardy covers DUI testing issues in depth, including breath, blood, and urine samples, and handles possession of alcohol by a minor charges that often accompany underage DUI stops near Ybor City.
7. Hersem Law
- Attorney: Christopher Hersem
- Address: 1550 W Cleveland St, Suite 9, Tampa, FL 33606
- Phone: (813) 251-7291
- Website: hersemlaw.com
- Practice Focus: DUI, criminal traffic, drug charges, expungement
About: Hersem Law handles DUI and criminal traffic matters from offices in Tampa and Clearwater, with free strategy sessions for young drivers and families.
8. Daniel J. Fernandez, P.A.
- Attorney: Daniel J. Fernandez, with Dana M. Herce-Fulgueira, Roxanna Solis Smith, Catherine J. Sams, and Austin Crocker
- Address: 625 E Twiggs St, Suite 102, Tampa, FL 33602
- Phone: (813) 229-5353
- Website: djfernandezlaw.com
- Practice Focus: DUI, underage drinking, felony DUI, juvenile crimes
About: The Fernandez team treats underage drinking counts and DUI charges as one defense strategy and files DHSMV review requests quickly. The office sits steps from the Hillsborough County Courthouse.
9. Elsea Law Firm, P.A.
- Attorneys: Joel Elsea, Mackenzie Scheer
- Address: 806 E Jackson St, Suite 3, Tampa, FL 33602
- Phone: (813) 451-8583
- Website: elsealawfirm.com
- Practice Focus: DUI, college student defense, possession of a fake ID, juvenile offenses
About: Elsea Law Firm runs a college student defense practice that covers fake ID, hazing, and alcohol cases, and it works with parents on juvenile matters.
10. Sammis Law Firm
- Attorneys: Jason D. Sammis, Leslie M. Sammis, Joshua Monteiro, and three associates
- Address: 1005 N Marion St, Tampa, FL 33602
- Phone: (813) 250-0500
- Website: criminaldefenseattorneytampa.com
- Practice Focus: DUI, administrative suspension, chemical testing, juvenile defense
About: Sammis Law Firm handles DUI administrative suspensions and chemical testing challenges, and it represents students facing school discipline after an arrest.
About This List
Amarosa Law Firm, P.A. sponsors this article and appears first. The other nine firms were chosen because their websites show underage DUI, college DUI, or DUI license defense, and each has a Tampa office with a public Google Business Profile. Ratings and review counts were recorded on October 19, 2026 and change often. This list is not a ranking and does not certify any attorney. Verify credentials through The Florida Bar and consult an attorney about your specific case. The Best Underage DUI Lawyers in Tampa, FL guide is an editorial resource for comparing local firms.
Frequently Asked Questions
What blood alcohol level triggers an underage license suspension in Florida?
Under Florida Statute 322.2616, a driver under 21 with a breath or blood alcohol level of 0.02 or higher faces a suspension of 6 months for a first violation or 1 year if the license was previously suspended under this law.
What happens if an under-21 driver refuses a breath test?
A first refusal brings a 1-year suspension. If the license was already suspended once for refusing, the suspension is 18 months.
Is the 0.02 suspension a criminal charge?
No. The statute says a 0.02 violation is neither a traffic infraction nor a criminal offense. It is an administrative action. However, the State can still file a criminal DUI charge under Statute 316.193 if the driver was impaired or at 0.08 or higher.
How long do I have to challenge the suspension?
The driver may request a formal or informal review with the DHSMV within 10 days after the notice of suspension. Missing that deadline usually leaves the suspension in place.
What if the young driver’s level was 0.05 or higher?
The suspension stays in effect until the driver completes a substance abuse course through a licensed DUI program. For drivers under 19, the program notifies the parents or legal guardians of the evaluation results. Readers looking for legal guidance can consult the Best Underage DUI Lawyers in Tampa, FL guide to explore attorneys who handle underage DUI matters.
