DUI Penalties in East TN
Under Tennessee law a person can be charged and convicted of Driving Under the Influence (DUI) if he or she drives or is in physical control of a motor vehicle on a public roadway and:
- Has a breath/blood alcohol content of .08 or above; or
- Is under the influence of alcohol; or
- Is under the influence of drugs (prescribed or otherwise); or
- Is under the combined influence of alcohol or drugs.
DUI 1st Offense
- Fine: $350 minimum; $1,500.00 maximum
- Jail: minimum 48 hours; maximum 11 months and 29 days
- mandatory 7 consecutive days if blood alcohol exceeds .20%
- Driver’s license revoked for 1 year
Our attorneys are available 24/7 to discuss your 1st offense DUI charge. Call (865) 540-8300, send email info@garzalaw.com, or use the chat box on this page to start a conversation online. Evening and weekend appointments available.
DUI 2nd Offense
- Fine: $600.00 minimum; $3,500 maximum
- Jail: minimum 45 days; maximum 11 months and 29 days
- Driver’s license is revoked for 2 years
- Inpatient alcohol or drug treatment available as jail credit
- Possible forfeiture of vehicle if used in the offense
A lawyer at The Garza Law Firm is available 24/7 to discuss your DUI charge. Call (865) 540-8300, send email info@garzalaw.com, or use the chat box on this page to start a conversation online. Evening and weekend appointments available.
DUI 3rd Offense
- Fine: $1,100.00 minimum; $10,000.00 maximum
- Jail: minimum 120 days; maximum 11 months and 29 days
- Driver’s license revoked for 3 years to 10 years
- Possible forfeiture of vehicle
DUI 4th Offense
- Class E felony conviction.
- Fine: $3,000 minimum; $15,000.00 maximum
- Jail: minimum 150 days; maximum 6 years
- Driver’s license revoked for 5 years
- Possible forfeiture of vehicle
How to Avoid Costly DUI Penalties
Be certain you select a a skilled DUI defense lawyer. Driver’s license suspension or revocation typically follows conviction for driving under the influence. Under a process called administrative license revocation, licenses are taken away prior to conviction when a motorist declines or refuses to take a chemical test. Due to the fact administrative license revocation laws are independent of criminal procedures as well as are invoked right after criminal arrest, they’ve been found to be more effective than conventional post-conviction sanctions. Administrative license suspension laws are in place in 41 states and the District of Columbia.
Often times when a driver has their license suspended for a DUI, the court may allow a driver to use a restricted driver license after a certain amount of their suspension has been served. In most cases a restricted driver license will allow a driver to drive to and from a place of employment, school, drug or alcohol treatment and other destinations defined by the court.
DUI or DWI convictions count as prior offenses for either charge, as do convictions in another state. A DUI or DWI within the last 10 years is considered. If you have one DUI within the last 10 years, the court will consider DUIs and DWI convictions that go back 20 years.
A lawyer at The Garza Law Firm is available 24/7 to discuss you or a loved one’s DUI charges. Call (865) 540-8300, send email info@garzalaw.com, or use the chat box on this page to start a conversation online. Evening and weekend appointments available. Our attorneys routinely handle DUI cases across East TN, including Knox County, Sevier County, Loudon County, and all adjoining counties.