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.
According to Tennessee law you are intoxicated if you have a blood alcohol content at .08% or more. Even with no evidence of impairment, this amount of alcohol is enough to get convicted in Tennessee. However, speaking to a Knoxville DUI attorney will help you understand your rights and ways to avoid conviction.
In some cases, the arresting officer’s testimony can earn you a conviction even when you refuse to have a sobriety test done. The officer could testify that you showed signs of inebriation by your driving habits, the smell of alcohol, or other signs. In court, the officer will likely be asked to offer his opinion.
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.
Tennessee DUI offenses are in most cases misdemeanors, unless in serious cases where an accident occurred or if it is a repeat offense. A four time conviction of DUI is considered a class E felony in Tennessee.
Your Knoxville DUI attorney can inform you of the severity of your case, allow you to assist in the decisions of how you want it handled, and guide you through the process of all the legal terminology. There is a minimum requirement of 48 hours in jail for a first offense, but the maximum is a year. If at the time you were charged your alcohol blood content was .20% or higher you will be facing a minimum of 7 days in jail. It is imperative to speak with a Knoxville DUI attorney to save yourself some hefty fines and maximum jail time.
In addition to jail time, the minimum fine is $350 and a 1-year license suspension. And courts will often make DUI education and AA membership a requirement as well to help rehabilitate the offender. But it is critical to let a qualified Knoxville DUI attorney work for you to minimize any penalties. You may also be able to secure a plea or get the case dismissed entirely.
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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