What are the laws regarding DUI in Tennessee?

On Behalf of | May 23, 2015 | DUI/DWI Defense |

In the state of Tennessee, driving under the influence is a serious offense. Those who are convicted of the crime could face hefty fines, jail time and license revocation. So what are the laws regarding DUI in Tennessee?

Anyone who has a blood alcohol level or BAC of more than 0.08 percent could be charged with a DUI. If a person has a BAC over 0.20, they could face additional and more serious penalties.

A person who is arrested for a first time DUI will face 48 hours of mandatory jail time. If their BAC was more than 0.20, the mandatory jail time is 7 days. A person who is convicted of a DUI can face up to 11 months and 29 days of jail, license revocation and fines. Attendance at an alcohol treatment program will also be required.

A second time DUI offender faces even more penalties. There is a minimum of 45 days in jail, license revocation for 2 years and thousands of dollars in fines. When a driver’s license is returned to a driver convicted of a second DUI, it will have restrictions regarding where a person can drive. A vehicle interlock system might also be installed.

A third DUI conviction could include 120 days in jail, up to a $10,000 fine and license revocation of up to 10 years with no chance of getting a restricted license during the time of revocation.

The State of Tennessee clearly takes a DUI charge seriously. If a person is facing a DUI, they may want to speak with a legal professional skilled in criminal defense. Navigating a drunk driving charge can be complex and can difficult for defendants to determine ways to mitigate the charges. A legal criminal defense could help drivers reduce or dismiss some or all of the charges against them.

Source: Findlaw.com, “What are the Tennessee DUI laws?“, access on May 17, 2015

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