Seymour DUI Defense Lawyer

Attorney Defending Clients for DUI, BUI and multiple DUI in Seymour, TN

One of the most stressful events a driver can experience is seeing the blue lights of a police car flashing behind them, with the siren signaling them to pull over. Unfortunately, that happens to more than 8,000 Tennessee drivers each year. DUI cases are among the most common criminal cases Jeffrey Coller, Knoxville Criminal Defense Attorney handles. Driving under the influence is a charge that can happen to anyone, regardless of age, professional background, or socioeconomic background.

Because of the dangers and possible harm to the driver and those he or she shares the road with, Tennessee has passed laws that impose harsh penalties for a DUI conviction, even for first-time offenders. Given the impact a conviction can have on a person's life, it is important that anyone facing DUI charges has a seasoned Seymour, TN DUI defense attorney on their side.

Potential Penalties for DUI in Tennessee

In Tennessee, if you are caught driving with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.08 percent, you are considered legally intoxicated and may be charged with driving under the influence. The state has imposed mandatory sentences for a DUI conviction, and even a first-time offender can face a jail sentence that ranges from 48 hours all the way up to 11 months and 29 days. A first-offense DUI conviction can also result in a one-year loss of license, mandatory participation in a substance abuse treatment program, a fine of between $350 and $1,500, and required installation of an ignition interlock device (IID) in your vehicle.

If you are convicted of second-offense DUI, the same maximum jail sentence applies, but the minimum sentence is 45 days. Additionally, you will lose your license for two years and have to go to a mandatory substance abuse treatment program. The court will impose a mandatory fine between $600 and $3,500, and you will also be required to install an IID. You may also face forfeiture or seizure of your vehicle.

If you are convicted of a third-offense DUI, the minimum jail sentence is 120 days. You will also lose your driving privileges for six years. The fine for a third DUI offense is also more substantial — a minimum of $1,000, and a maximum of $10,000. A conviction also requires participating in a mandatory substance abuse treatment program, installing an IID, and having your vehicle seized.

While first-, second-, and third-offense DUIs are charged as misdemeanors, subsequent offenses are charged as Class E felonies, which carry harsher penalties upon conviction. These include a minimum of one year jail time (with a minimum of 150 consecutive days), a mandatory fine of $3,000 to $15,000, and an eight-year loss of license.

As stringent as the state of Tennessee DUI laws are, they are even harsher for drivers charged with CDL DUI. While the standard DUI BAC is 0.08 percent, the legal BAC limit for anyone who holds a commercial driver's license is just 0.04 percent while they are driving a commercial vehicle.

Drivers who are under the age of the legal drinking age of 21 face driving while intoxicated (DWI) charges if they have a BAC of 0.02 percent under the state's Zero Tolerance Policy for underage drinking.

Boating Under the Influence (BUI) in Tennessee

Tennessee is just as determined to prosecute anyone who is operating a boat while intoxicated by alcohol or drugs (BUI) as they are to prosecute vehicle drivers for DUI. At Jeffrey Coller, Knoxville Criminal Defense Attorney, our DUI defense lawyers have provided legal assistance to clients who have faced BUI charges while they were out enjoying water activities at marinas in the Seymour area, including:

• Douglas Lake Marina & Campground
• Harbor Crest at Douglas Lake
• Lighthouse Pointe Marina
• Mountain Cove Marina and RV Park
• Louisville Landing Marina
  
• Smoky Mountain Lakeside Resort & Marina
• Volunteer Cove Marina
• Volunteer Landing Marina

Contact Our Seymour, Tennessee DUI Defense Lawyers

If you have been arrested on DUI or BUI charges, it is critical to have a defense attorney who has extensive experience with DUI cases. A DUI conviction not only impacts your immediate future – with potential jail time, the loss of your driver's license, and hefty fines – but a conviction can also cause substantial issues in the future, including the loss of any professional licenses you may hold, difficulty pursuing future job opportunities, higher vehicle insurance rates, and more. Contact us at 865-281-1000 today to arrange a complimentary consultation and discuss your case with a skilled Seymour DUI defense attorney.