Morristown DUI Defense Attorney

Defense Attorney Fighting For Clients in Morristown, TN

Did you know that even having just a couple of drinks can result in driving under the influence (DUI) charges in Tennessee? Unfortunately, that happens every year to thousands of Tennessee drivers, most of whom have never been charged with a crime. These people may find themselves suddenly facing serious consequences, including the loss of their driver's license, significant fines, and even potential jail time.

In every DUI case, the evidence against the driver will make or break the prosecutor's case. A seasoned Morristown, TN DUI defense attorney can determine what evidence the prosecutor has against you, identify potential problems with that evidence, and use any weaknesses to get you the best possible outcome based on the circumstances of the case.

At Jeffrey Coller, Knoxville Criminal Defense Attorney, we have been fighting for the rights of accused clients for more than a decade and we have extensive experience defending those clients against the different types of DUI the state charges people with, including the following:

DUI for Alcohol

Under Tennessee law, if a driver has a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.08 percent or more, they are considered legally under the influence and can be charged with DUI. The charge can be either a misdemeanor or a felony based on whether the driver has any prior convictions or if the arrest involved a DUI accident where there were injuries.

If a driver is stopped on suspicion of DUI, and their BAC is over the legal limit, the driver will be charged. However, there are situations where the officer can still arrest the driver even if his BAC is below the legal limit if that officer believes that the driver is too impaired to be behind the wheel. If the driver refuses to submit to BAC testing after being arrested, that is a violation of the state's implied consent law, and the driver could end up with a loss of license regardless of the eventual outcome of any criminal DUI charges they face.

Commercial driver's license (CDL) holders face a different BAC threshold than other drivers. Their BAC legal limit is only 0.04 percent. That measurement will result in a CDL DUI charge and the potential loss of a commercial license.

DUI for Drugs

Another serious type of DUI charge that you should have a Morristown DUI defense attorney representing you for is driving under the influence of drugs. A driver can be charged with DUI for any type of drug – legal or illegal. Not only can you be charged with DUI if you are under the influence of marijuana or another illicit drug, but you can also be charged if you are under the influence of a valid prescription medication.

Although marijuana has not been legalized in Tennessee or even allowed to be used for medical conditions like it is in other states, Jeffrey Coller, Knoxville Criminal Defense Attorney knows that there are residents and visitors who use cannabis for either medical or recreational purposes. Those people may be unaware that THC, the active compound in marijuana, can show up in your system for up to 12 hours in blood and up to 24 hours in saliva, resulting in a marijuana DUI charge. A skilled Morristown DUI defense attorney knows how to use this fact to cast doubt on any test results the prosecutor plans to use against you as evidence.

Underage DWI

The legal drinking age in every state in the country is 21. Tennessee has a zero-tolerance policy against any underage drinking. If you are under 21 and are caught with alcohol, you will likely face criminal charges. If you are a driver under the age of 21, and police suspect you are under the influence of drugs or alcohol, you can be charged with driving while intoxicated (DWI). A BAC of 0.02 percent or higher can result in a DWI charge.

BUI

Another type of DUI charge that the attorneys at Jeffrey Coller, Knoxville Criminal Defense Attorney handle is boating under the influence (BUI). You may not realize that you can face BUI charges for operating a boat while intoxicated and that the penalties for a conviction can be just as harsh as DUI convictions. Our Morristown DUI defense attorneys have successfully defended clients who found themselves facing BUI charges after enjoying a day of boating at Cherokee Lake or Panther Creek State Park. A BAC of 0.08 percent or higher is considered over the legal limit whether you are operating a vehicle on the road or a boat on the water.

Contact Our Morristown, Tennessee DUI Defense Attorneys

If you are facing any type of DUI charge, a conviction will mean a mandatory loss of your driver's license and participation in substance abuse treatment programs. It may also result in high fines and possible jail time, even if this is only your first offense. If you hold a professional license, a conviction can result in restrictions or suspension of that license, too. Fighting these charges without a dedicated Morristown DUI defense attorney can be a losing battle.

Do not risk your personal and professional future. Contact Jeffrey Coller, Knoxville Criminal Defense Attorney by calling 865-281-1000 to arrange a free consultation and find out what legal options you may have to address DUI or BUI charges.