Loudon DUI Defense Lawyer

Strategic Defense For DUI Charges in Loudon, TN

It happens to more than 18,000 Tennessee drivers each year – one minute, you are driving along, and the next minute, a police officer is requesting you blow into a breathalyzer device. The next thing you know, handcuffs are being put on your wrists, you are read your rights, and you are placed in the back of a police car.

Although most DUI arrests are charged as misdemeanors, a conviction can still have overwhelming consequences for both your personal and professional life. As a Loudon DUI defense attorney can explain, even a first-offense DUI conviction will result in a loss of license for one year, as well as other penalties. Without the ability to drive, how will you get to work? How will you get your children to school and other activities? Even the most mundane chores, like grocery shopping, now become problematic. The conviction will also appear on your criminal record, potentially impacting future employment. If you hold a professional license (medical, nursing, etc.), you could also face suspension of that license.

At Jeffrey Coller, Knoxville Criminal Defense Attorney, we understand the importance of keeping the roads safe. However, we also know that critical rights are often violated during a DUI stop. That is why our law firm has built a solid reputation of aggressively advocating for our clients and has helped many clients over the past decade beat their DUI charges.

What Are the Potential Penalties for DUI Convictions?

A DUI conviction in Tennessee can be a nightmare. A first-offense conviction not only means a mandatory loss of license, but the judge may also hand down a jail sentence of between 48 hours and 11 months 29 days and a fine of up to $1,500. There will also be mandatory attendance of a substance abuse treatment program and required installation of an ignition interlock device (IID) when you are finally allowed to drive again.

Subsequent DUI conviction penalties are even harsher:

• Second offense – Loss of license for two years, jail sentence of between 45 days and 11 months 29 days, fine of up to $3,500, mandatory treatment program, and required IID. The court can also order forfeiture of your vehicle.
• Third offense – Loss of license for six years, jail sentence of between 120 days and 11 months 29 days, a fine of up to $10,000, mandatory treatment program, IID requirement, and vehicle forfeiture.
• Subsequent offenses – After a third offense, the state charges subsequent DUIs as Class E felonies. Penalties include loss of driving privileges for up to eight years, a minimum of one year in prison, and a fine of up to $15,000.

Other Types of DUI Charges

Our Loudon DUI defense attorneys also represent clients who have been charged with other types of DUI. The standard legal limit for blood alcohol content (BAC) in Tennessee is 0.08 percent. However, if the driver holds a commercial driver's license (CDL), a BAC of 0.04 percent or higher will likely result in a CDL DUI arrest.

The state has a zero-tolerance policy for underage drivers. If a driver under the age of 21 has a BAC of 0.02 percent or more, they will be charged with DWI (driving while intoxicated).

The state of Tennessee has not legalized marijuana, nor does the state have a medical marijuana program. If a person has any trace of THC in their system, they can be charged with marijuana DUI and face the same penalties listed above if convicted.

Boating Under the Influence

You may think that a person can only face DUI charges if they are operating their vehicle on the road. However, many of our clients come to Jeffrey Coller, Knoxville Criminal Defense Attorney after they have been charged with boating under the influence (BUI). It is not uncommon for people who are enjoying the day boating on Watts Bar Lake or one of the area's other marine destinations to also have alcoholic beverages. The state of Tennessee takes BUI just as seriously as DUI, and a person who is convicted may face a loss of boating license, high fines, mandatory treatment program participation, mandatory boating safety courses, and even jail time.

Contact Our Loudon, TN DUI Defense Attorneys

In cases involving DUI allegations, you know how serious these charges can be. Depending on the circumstances of your arrest, there may be multiple options for defending against these charges. Our attorneys can help determine the best strategies that may result in the dismissal of charges, a not guilty verdict, or a plea bargain to lesser charges. Call Jeffrey Coller, Knoxville Criminal Defense Attorney at 865-281-1000 to schedule a free and confidential consultation with one of our dedicated Loudon, TN DUI defense lawyers.