DUI
What Is “Bentley’s Law,” the New Drunk Driving Bill in TN?
A new bill is about to be passed in Tennessee that would further deter drivers from drinking before getting behind the wheel of a vehicle. Under House Bill 1834, known as Bentley’s Law, “if a parent of a minor child dies at the hands of a drunk driver, the convicted drunk driver is then responsible…
Read MoreWill I Lose My Car Insurance for a DUI Charge?
Across the country, being charged with driving under the influence has serious criminal and financial repercussions. Tennessee has joined many states in cracking down on DUIs by way of criminal punishment through the courts, and license revocation through the Department of Motor Vehicles. Aside from criminal consequences, convicted DUI offenders may also immediately face obstacles…
Read MoreMy Teenager Got a DUI; What Do I Do?
Teenagers and drunk driving are a serious problem across the country. That’s why many states, including Tennessee, provide that a driver under 21 can be charged with Driving Under the Influence (DUI) if their blood alcohol content (BAC) is .02 or more. (For adults, the limit is .08 or more.) The best protection for your…
Read MoreTennessee DUI Laws and a Look Back at 2019 Statistics
One of the riskiest behaviors in which a person can participate is getting behind the wheel under the influence of alcohol or drugs. And, the consequences for drivers arrested for driving under the influence (DUI) are serious. If you are facing a DUI charge, is important understand the potential consequences. Tennessee law lays out the…
Read MoreATVs and DUI Penalties
Many people love riding their all-terrain vehicles (ATVs). They offer a super fun way to enjoy recreation, especially during the warm months of the year. These vehicles are not permitted to share the same space with cars, SUVs, and trucks on regular roads and highways. However, you do need a driver’s license just as any…
Read MorePotential Consequences of a DUI with Child Endangerment Charge
In the state of Tennessee, child endangerment encompasses various types of offenses, including driving under the influence (DUI) while transporting a passenger below the age of 18 in a vehicle. Serious penalties and consequences are possible when a DUI is involved with child endangerment even if the child was not injured or killed during the…
Read MoreDo Different Alcoholic Drinks Affect You Differently?
Many people think that different drinks affect people’s emotions differently. They’re certain that beer makes them feel differently than wine, and that wine shouldn’t affect them the same way bourbon does. The starting point for this question is that generally there is no difference in the amount of ethanol in standard drinks, which means a…
Read MoreDriving Under the Influence of Narcotics
The same law that makes driving under the influence of alcohol illegal also makes driving under the influence of narcotics illegal. The key differences between an alcohol DUI and a narcotics DUI are the proof required to show the driver was under the influence, the legal and factual defenses and ,to some degree, the penalties.…
Read MoreNew Study From New York Times Finds DUI Test Machines Are Not Accurate
It’s standard procedure for anyone the police suspect are driving their vehicle under the influence of alcohol (DUI) to require the driver take a breath test. Breath test devices aim to measure the blood alcohol content (BAC) at the time the test is given. Breath tests usually follow a failed field sobriety test. Breath test…
Read MoreGovernor Lee Repeals Habitual Motor Vehicle Offender Law
The state of Tennessee repealed the Habitual Motor Vehicle Offenders Act (HMVO) effective July 1, 2019. The HMVO, prior to its repeal, provided that the licenses of drivers who were labeled “habitual offenders” would be revoked for at least three years. Drivers could not obtain a restricted license during this time. Further, any driver who…
Read MoreThe DUI School Education Requirement in Tennessee
Anyone convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol or narcotics in Tennessee will suffer numerous penalties. They will have a conviction on their criminal records for the rest of their lives. Anyone convicted of a DUI: Could be sentenced to jail for some specific amount of time Will lose their driving privileges – normally…
Read MoreHow Do You Get Around Town or to Work after a DUI in Tennessee?
If you’ve been convicted of a DUI or an implied consent violation, your driving privileges will likely be suspended. Subsequent convictions or violations will normally result in longer suspensions. Under certain conditions, someone convicted of a DUI or an implied consent violation may be able to obtain a restricted license. Otherwise, they will need to…
Read MoreFighting Charges of “Driving while High” in Tennessee
Driving under the influence of drugs in Tennessee is a serious crime. You can be charged with a DUI – Driving under the Influence – if an officer believes that you are impaired while behind the wheel. You may face these charges even if you are taking a legally prescribed medication. Our attorneys will begin…
Read MoreIs It Worth Getting a Lawyer for a First-Time DUI?
The quick answer to this questions is definitely yes. A first-time DUI conviction has serious criminal and civil consequences. A skilled lawyer works to have the charges dismissed, to have blood tests and other key evidence suppressed, and to obtain acquittals before judges and juries. In some cases, the lawyer may be able to plea…
Read MoreCan a Passenger Be Charged with a DUI?
The short is answer is yes, a passenger can be charged with a DUI. There are several reasons a police officer may charge a passenger with a DUI. When can a passenger get a DUI? Uncertainty. The police may charge a passenger if they are not sure who was driving – so they charge everyone…
Read MoreHow Not to Respond to Field Sobriety DUI Tests
Wish TV reported on May 30, 2019, that a woman suspected of driving under the influence gave a text-book response to the Carter County deputy who requested she submit to field sobriety tests. Unfortunately, the text-book reply covered pretty much everything you shouldn’t do if requested to take a field sobriety test. The woman driver…
Read MoreDrunk Driving Laws and Penalties for Teenage Drivers
Drinking and driving is dangerous at any age. For teenagers, it is especially dangerous. This is in part because teenagers think they can handle anything. Teens often don’t think through that just one drink can impair their ability to control their cars. Having a BAC of .08 is equivalent to driving after being awake for…
Read MoreTricks to Defeat a Breathalyzer Test? They Don’t Work.
Failing a breathalyzer test has severe consequences. For starters, you will likely be charged with driving under the influence of alcohol. A conviction for a DUI can mean imprisonment and substantial fines and court costs. Your license may be suspended. You will have a conviction on your record which can make it hard to get…
Read MoreDUIs and Administrative License Suspensions
If you are arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol, the Tennessee Department of Safety (DOS) will normally seek to suspend your license. There are two basic reasons the DOS will seek to suspend your license through an administrative process. The first is due to being charged with a DUI. The second is –…
Read MoreBoating Under the Influence
Driving under the influence doesn’t just apply to vehicles. Anyone who operates a vessel can be charged with an equivalent charge called Boating under the influence (BUI). A vessel includes most types of water vehicles such as motorboats, commercial boats, or any boat that is subject to registration and is used to transport people. Boat…
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