TENNESSEE DUI: OFFENSES AND PENALTIES

The lawyers at Davis & Hoss follow changes to DUI laws in Tennessee. Below is the current status of the law. DUI Offenses and Penalties:

First TIME DUI OFFENDER (.08% BAC) [T.C.A. § 55-10-401] [T.C.A. § 55-10-403]

48 hours up to 11 months, 29 days in jail for offenders in violation of § 55-10-401 (NOTE: For BAC .20 or greater, the minimum jail time is seven (7) consecutive days).
$350-$1,500 mandatory fine
License revocation for 1 year/Restricted License may be available
You will be ordered to participate in a DUI school
You will be required to participate in a 24-hour litter removal program (three 8-hour shifts) as part of probation. You will also have to pay the sheriff a supervision fee. Those convicted must wear a brightly-colored vest stating: “I am a drunk driver”
You will be ordered to pay restitution to any person suffering physical injury or personal loss
The judge will order you to install a vehicle Ignition Interlock Device at your expense if you meet the following conditions:
If you have a BAC of .15% or greater
If you were driving with a minor under the age of 18
If you are “involved in a traffic accident” due to your intoxication that results in more than $400.00 in damage, or
If you are “in violation of the implied consent law… and [have] a conviction or juvenile delinquency adjudication for a violation that occurred within [the past] 5 years.”
NOTE: Ignition Interlock Devices cost a maximum of $70.00 for installation and driveragent plus safe a maximum of $100 per month for the cost of monitoring, maintenance, and use. [T.C.A. § 55-10-423(a)]
If you receive two (2) convictions of DUI in 5 years, an Ignition Interlock Device are required for 6 months after reinstatement at your expense
Drug and Alcohol Treatment may be required at the judge’s discretion
Other court fees (ignition interlock fee of $40.00, blood alcohol test cost of between $17.50 and $50.00, etc.)
With towing, bail, attorney, high risk insurance, court costs, school, and reinstatement fees, your first offense average costs could add up to $5,000 or more

2ND TIME DUI OFFENDER (.08% BAC) [T.C.A. § 55-10-401] [T.C.A. § 55-10-403]

45 days to 11 months, 29 days in jail
$600-$3,500 mandatory fine
License revocation for 2 years/Restricted License serial number idm 6.21 available after first year
Subject to vehicle seizure/forfeiture
DUI School
Undergo a drug and alcohol assessment and attend a drug or alcohol rehabilitation program, both at your expense
The judge can order you to install a vehicle Ignition Interlock Device at your expense
If you receive two (2) convictions of DUI in 5 years, Ignition Interlock Device is required for 6 months after reinstatement at your expense
You will be ordered to pay restitution to any person suffering personal injury or loss

3RD TIME DUI OFFENDER (.08% BAC) [T.C.A. § 55-10-401] [T.C.A. § 55-10-403]

120 days to 11 months, 29 days in jail
$1,100-$10,000 mandatory fine
License revocation for between 6 and 10 years/NO restricted license available
Subject to vehicle seizure/forfeiture
DUI school
Undergo a drug and alcohol assessment and attend a drug or alcohol rehabilitation program, both at your expense
Judge could order an Ignition Interlock Device installed at your expense
If you receive two (2) convictions of DUI in 5 years, an Ignition Interlock Device is required for 6 months after reinstatement at your expense

4TH AND SUBSEQUENT DUI OFFENDER (.08% BAC) [T.C.A. § 55-10-401] [T.C.A. § 55-10-403]

Class E Felony
1 Year (365) days of jail time with a minimum of 150 consecutive days served
$3,000- $15,000 mandatory fine
License revocation for 8 years/NO restricted license available
Subject to vehicle seizure/forfeit
DUI school
Undergo a drug and alcohol assessment and attend a drug or alcohol rehabilitation program, both at your expense
Judge could order an Ignition Interlock Device installed at your expense
If you receive two (2) convictions of DUI in 5 years, an Ignition Interlock Device required for 6 months after reinstatement at your expense

VEHICULAR ASSAULT – SERIOUS INJURY TO ANOTHER PERSON BY A DUI DRIVER [T.C.A. § 39-13-106]

Class D Felony
Between 2 and 12 years of jail time according to range [40-35-112]
License revocation from 1 to 5 years depending upon number of prior offenses
Plus fines and court costs
CHILD ENDANGERMENT – DUI WITH PASSENGER UNDER 18 YEARS OLD [T.C.A. § 39-15-401]
30 days mandatory minimum jail time
Minimum $1,000 mandatory fine
NOTE: These enhancements are in addition to any other jail time and fine for the underlying DUI offense!
Also, penalties are enhanced in the event that the minor passenger is seriously injured or killed:
Class D felony if child suffers serious injury [55-10-403]; between 2 and 4 years of jail time [T.C.A. § 40-35-112]
Class C Felony if child death involved; between 3 and 6 years of jail time
License revocation

VEHICULAR HOMICIDE [T.C.A. § 39-13-213]

Fatal vehicle crash caused by DUI with .08% BAC or more
Class B Felony [T.C.A. § 40-35-112]
License revocation for between 3 and 10 years/NO restricted license available
AGGRAVATED VEHICULAR ASSAULT WHILE DRIVING INTOXICATED
Class A Felony [T.C.A. § 39-13-218] [T.C.A. § 40-35-112]
If any of the following conditions are present: Two or more prior (a) DUI convictions, (b) Vehicular assault convictions or, (c) any combination
One prior Vehicular Homicide
A BAC of .20% or greater at the time of the vehicular homicide has one (1) prior DUI or Vehicular Assault offense.

Tennessee Highway Patrol Takes “No-Refusal” Approach To DUIs

Tennessee Highway Patrol Takes “No-Refusal” Approach To DUIs

In a curious development over the recent Labor Day weekend, Tennessee Highway Patrol officers working in 10 counties implemented a new procedure meant to keep drunk drivers off the roads. The new approach means that drivers will not be permitted to refuse a blood test if pulled over and suspected of impaired driving. This “no refusal” policy has sparked some concern among residents in Tennessee and raises a lot of questions about what the new approach will mean for drivers across the state.

The THP has referred to the no refusal Labor Day effort as a pilot program. The campaign was based on a law that passed the legislature in 2012 that was implemented on July 1st of last year. The law says that drivers will no longer have the right to decline to submit to a chemical test to determine their intoxication. Such a refusal used to be permitted and was then followed with an automatic driver’s license suspension based on Tennessee’s implied consent law. Now, officers will be able to force drivers to undergo a blood test by obtaining a search warrant.

Over the busy Labor Day weekend, THP said that if a driver refused to submit to a chemical test, the arresting police officer would then use their best judgment to decide if the driver was likely impaired. If so, then the officer would fill out a search warrant request after taking the driver to jail. Judges across the 10 participating counties agreed to stay on call over the weekend and made sure to process warrant requests quickly enough to allow for timely blood tests.

Backers of the new law claim that this no refusal approach will work to keep impaired drivers off the roads, something that should save innocent lives. Despite this noble goal, detractors have pointed out the approach creates the chance that biased officers will request warrants to conduct blood tests on drivers without sufficient evidence of impairment. The worry is that some officers might not have sufficient evidence to lead them to believe that a crime has been committed before seeking a warrant justifying such an invasive search.

Given how new the tactic is to Tennessee there is no evidence yet regarding its effectiveness. However, some counties in Texas have permanently implemented a similar no refusal approach to drunk driving stops. Though the data remains spotty, early reports indicate that the number of drunk driving car accidents has actually increased in the no refusal counties since the policy began being enforced. Whether a similar lack of success will be found in the participating Tennessee counties remains to be seen.

Source: “Tennessee Highway Patrol to conduct ‘no refusal’ DUI checks,” by The Associated Press, published at TimesFreePress.com.

See Our Related Blog Posts:

Problems Raised By NTSB Blood Alcohol Recommendation

New Law Requires Ignition Interlock Devices After Tennessee DUI Convictions

Money Laundering

Money Laundering

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Chattanooga Money Laundering Lawyer
Choose the Proven Defense Attorneys at Davis & Hoss, PC

Money laundering is a serious offense that carries significant penalties including expensive fines and imprisonment of up to 20 years. Money laundering is considered a white collar crime prosecuted on the federal level. This crime is defined in 18 U.S.C. § 1956. There are many forms of money laundering. If you are aware that certain monies or funds are the result of a specific unlawful activity and then you conduct a financial transaction with the intent to conceal those funds or if you transport or transfer funds from the United States to outside the U.S. or vice versa, you could be charged with this serious offense.

If you face money laundering charges, hire a Chattanooga criminal defense attorney who can provide the solid, informed defense you need in a federal court of law. Not every lawyer has the experience and skill necessary to successfully defend people charged with federal crimes. At Davis & Hoss, PC, we have tried more than 200 court cases in a variety of jurisdictions around the United States, and we have the federal court experience you need to feel confident as you move forward. You can trust our lawyers to go the extra mile to fight on your behalf.

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Hire a White Collar Crime Attorney in Chattanooga, TN

Davis & Hoss, PC has represented multiple clients charged with money laundering offenses at both the district court level as well as in the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals. Money laundering is a complex accusation. Whether you are a witness, a target, or a defendant, you need a competent attorney with experience in these types of cases. There have been recent developments in the law of money laundering that you should learn about.

Civil Cases

Civil Cases

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Civil Cases in Tennessee
Chattanooga Civil Attorney Has Extensive Experience

We have a broad range of experience representing clients at the civil level, with a long case history including numerous successful civil cases in Tennessee state courts. Whether you have been the victim of another person’s negligence or wrongdoing, you deserve compensation. You already have to carry the burden of emotional or physical distress caused by the incident — why should you also carry the financial burden for someone else’s error?

Consult a Chattanooga criminal defense attorney at our firm who can help you assess whether or not you have a case. We can help you pursue the compensatory damages you deserve.

At Davis & Hoss, PC, our team is noted for our excellent negotiation skills. We have been able to settle many of our clients’ cases satisfactorily without ever going through the court process. Should your case require litigation, however, you can feel confident with the legal team at Davis & Hoss, PC in your corner. We have the ability and experience necessary to advocate successfully on your behalf in your civil court case in order to achieve the results you and your family need.

Call Davis & Hoss, PC today for a free consultation!

Are you ready to learn how a Chattanooga civil lawyer from Davis & Hoss, PC can make all the difference in your civil case? Don’t hesitate: Contact our Tennessee law office today! We have a level of experience and available resources few other firms in Southeast Tennessee can offer — if any.

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Fact Check: Criminal Defense Resources

Listed below are Federal, Georgia and Tennessee legal links. Each link provides up to date information regarding their respective federal and state legal systems. 

Federal Court & Federal Legal Links

Tennessee Courts & Tennessee Legal Links

Georgia Courts & Georgia Legal Links