DUI Penalties in Tennessee

Murfreesboro DUI Lawyer

Have you been arrested and charged with a DUI in Murfreesboro, Smyrna, LaVergne or elsewhere in Middle Tennessee? Are you worried about what will happen and how to deal with this difficult situation? The worst thing to do is nothing. The best thing to do is get competent legal advice from an attorney who deals with this situation every day. Murfreesboro DUI attorney Thomas Parkerson can sit down with you, review your situation, and advise you on your legal rights, legal options, and how best to proceed given your particular case. With the right information and an understanding of what you are up against, you can then make an informed decision about how you want to deal with the charges.

Penalties for a First Offense

Unfortunately, the penalties for a DUI can be very serious. For a first offense, you are facing a jail sentence of up to one year with a minimum mandatory of 48 hours behind bars. If your blood alcohol content was .20 or more, your mandatory minimum jail time is 7 days. For any sentenced jail time you do not serve, you will be placed on probation. The fines you will be required to pay will range between $350 and $1500. You will lose your license for one year but will be eligible for a restricted license which allows you to drive between home and work or school. You will have to attend DUI school and may be subjected to further education and / or treatment for alcohol or drug abuse. You may also have to do community service or have an ignition interlock device placed on your vehicle, depending on the facts of your case. You will have a criminal record which may pose difficulties for you in the future.

Penalties for Subsequent Offenses within 10 Years

If you are convicted of a subsequent DUI within 10 years, the penalties will be more severe. A second offense will carry penalties of up to one year in jail with a mandatory minimum of 45 days, probation, fines between $600 and $3500, a 2-year loss of your license with eligibility for a restricted license after one year, alcohol evaluation and treatment, the installation of an ignition interlock device, and possible forfeiture of your vehicle. On a third offense, fines increase to $1100 - $10,000 and loss of your license for 3 to 10 years with no possibility of a restricted license. On a fourth offense, you are facing felony charges with jail time up to 6 years, fines up to $15,000, a 5-year minimum license revocation, along with other penalties.

In the face of such consequences, it is important that you have capable legal representation. You do have the right to defend yourself and, with the experienced and aggressive assistance of the Murfreesboro DUI lawyer at the firm, the adverse consequences of these charges can be significantly minimized.

Facing a DUI? Contact the Murfreesboro DUI Attorney at the firm today.