There are serious penalties to driving under the influence in Tennessee, similar to doing so in other states. Someone who gets charged with DUI in Tennessee should make finding a great Knoxville DUI attorney their first priority.
Tennessees DUI law defines being intoxicated as having a blood alcohol content of .08% or higher. The law states that even if there is no evidence of impairment, this level is enough for the conviction. You can speak to your Knoxville DUI attorney about your rights and the actions you can take to overcome this charge.
The officer’s opinion carries a lot of weight in a DUI case. If the arresting officer testifies that you appeared intoxicated based on your actions, it can lead to a conviction. This is true even in cases where a sobriety test is refused by the accused.
There are very few crimes where the opinion of the officer can be enough to uphold the charge and lead to a conviction. You have to speak to your Knoxville DUI attorney and give him or her complete details of your arrest.
If it’s the first offense and no one was injured, a DUI charge can lead to a misdemeanor. But each conviction makes it more serious. After four convictions the charge is raised to a class E felony.
A good Knoxville DUI attorney will help you understand how severe your case is. He will also include you in the decision-making process and help you understand the legal terminology. In a first time offense there is a minimum jail requirement of 48 hours with a maximum of one year. If your blood alcohol content was .20% or higher you will be required to serve at least 7 days in jail. Working with a qualified attorney can save you jail time and heavy fines.
Jail time is only part of the sentencing. There is a minimum fine of $350. Your license will also be revoked for 1 year. In many courts you’ll be required to attend DUI education and also participate in AA. However, working with an experience Knoxville DUI attorney can drastically reduce these punishments or even secure an acquittal.
Whether you’re a first time offender or a repeat offender, you can’t afford to enter the court room without a top Knoxville DUI attorney to help you. Working by yourself or with a public defender can lead to maximum penalties.
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