Pigeon Forge DUI Defense Attorney
Attorney in Pigeon Forge, TN for Clients Facing DUI Charges
Being stopped by police and charged with driving under the influence (DUI) can be a legal nightmare. The impact that a DUI conviction can have on both your personal and professional life can be devastating. Not only will you face the automatic loss of your driving privileges – even for a first-offense DUI – but you could also experience employment ramifications, child custody issues, and even jail time. With so much at stake, having a skilled Pigeon Forge, TN DUI defense attorney in your corner is critical.
At Jeffrey Coller, Knoxville Criminal Defense Attorney, we have been fighting for DUI defendants for more than a decade, and we understand the personal and financial stress that these charges can create. Our attorneys understand the different tactics law enforcement officials may use on unsuspecting drivers that can result in false DUI arrests, and we work diligently to uncover evidence that can make a difference in the outcome of your case.
Tennessee laws cover a variety of different types of DUI cases, and our firm has extensive experience in each one, including:
Our attorneys have successfully defended clients in the following ways:
Disputing the Reason for the Traffic Stop
The Fourth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution protects our rights against unlawful search and seizure. This law applies to traffic stops. For a police officer to stop a driver, the officer must have reasonable grounds, such as driving erratically or committing a traffic violation. With the exception of DUI checkpoints, police cannot just stop a vehicle, hoping to catch someone driving under the influence.
Your DUI defense attorney will methodically review all of the details of the stop to determine whether the officer violated your Fourth Amendment rights.
Disputing Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) Test Results
To prove that a driver's blood alcohol content (BAC) is over the legal limit of 0.08 percent, police will order a driver to take a breath test. In some cases, the police may seek blood or other chemical testing. Under Tennessee's implied consent law, every driver agrees to submit to BAC testing when their license is issued. If a driver refuses to take the test, they face an automatic administrative license suspension, regardless of the outcome of the criminal charges they face.
If you did submit to a test and failed, your DUI defense attorney from Jeffrey Coller, Knoxville Criminal Defense Attorney can still dispute the test results. Several factors can interfere with valid BAC test results, such as equipment malfunction, the inexperience of the person who conducted the test, and – in cases involving chemical testing – an improper chain of custody for any evidence obtained.
Disputing Arrest Procedures
Even if the police had probable cause to stop you, and the result of BAC testing appears valid, there are still other factors that your DUI defense attorney can use to defend your case. The Fourth Amendment is not the only right defendants have that police are required to follow. When a person is arrested, police must read that person a series of rights, warning them about things like their right to remain silent. This is called called the Miranda warning. Anyone who is arrested is also entitled to have an attorney present.
Your lawyer may find evidence that law enforcement behaved unconstitutionally, unprofessionally, or threateningly, showing that the traffic stop and arrest were part of a pattern of harassment. All of these issues can be used to fight the charges against you.
Boating Under the Influence
Although most people are aware of the consequences of DUI charges, many do not realize that Tennessee has also passed stringent boating under the influence (BUI) laws with harsh penalties.
Pigeon Forge has several popular locations where residents and visitors enjoy boating, fishing, and other water activities. Our attorneys have successfully represented clients who have been charged with BUI while enjoying the day at the Great Smoky Mountains National Park or Douglas Lake, and we can help you if you have been charged.
Contact Our Pigeon Forge, TN DUI Defense Attorneys
If you are convicted of DUI, there are mandatory penalties the court will issue, including the revocation of your driver's license, fines, mandatory substance abuse program participation, interlock ignition devices (IID), vehicle seizure, and jail time. You will want to do everything you can to prevent this from happening to you. Call 865-281-1000 or contact us online to set up a free consultation with one of our Pigeon Forge DUI defense attorneys. When you work with Jeffrey Coller, Knoxville Criminal Defense Attorney, you can be assured that you have an attorney on your side who will focus on your case, fighting to protect your rights and freedom.