Knoxville DUI
Being charged with driving under the influence (DUI) is a serious event in your life. Knoxville DUI charges can have potentially disastrous effects on you and your family. The consequences of a Knoxville DUI arrest are not to be taken lightly. A Knoxville DUI arrest may even jeopardize future employment. You need to contact an attorney familiar with Knoxville DUI law.
Blood alcohol count
During a Knoxville DUI stop, if you have a blood alcohol count (BAC) of .08 or higher and are operating a vehicle, you are considered DUI. According to the Tennessee Department of Safety, as a Knoxville DUI offender you may be put in jail, lose your driving privileges, and be ordered to pay restitution to persons who suffered personal injury or personal loss.
Penalties for Knoxville DUI charges
You can refuse a BAC test. If you do, you risk:
- Revocation of your driving license for a year on your first offense
- Two years revocation on your second offense
If you submit to a BAC test and are convicted of a Knoxville DUI first offense, the penalties you may be subjected to are:
- Jail time of 48 hours minimum
- Your license may be revoked for one year
- Fines of $350 minimum
- Required attendance at DUI school
- Judge-ordered installation of a vehicle ignition interlock device at your own expense
Knoxville DUI second offense conviction penalties include:
- Longer jail time: 45 days minimum
- License revoked for two years
- Larger fines
- Seizure of your car
- DUI school
- Judge-ordered installation of a vehicle ignition interlock device at your own expense
- Second DUI conviction in five years, the ignition interlock device in place six months after you are reinstated
A Knoxville DUI third offense conviction has progressively stronger penalties including:
- Even longer jail time: 120 days minimum
- Your license may be revoked for three to ten years
- Even larger fines: $1,100 minimum
- Seizure of your car
- DUI school
- Vehicle ignition interlock device at your own expense—same as second offense
A Knoxville DUI fourth offense has consequences that are even more severe:
- Class E Felony charge
- One year minimum jail time
- License revoked 5 years
- Fines $1,100 minimum
- Vehicle seizure
- DUI school
- Vehicle ignition interlock device, same as second and third offense
DUI Defense in Knoxville
As you can see, you have a lot to lose. It is crucial to seek the Knoxville DUI help of an experienced lawyer. Look for an attorney with a thorough understanding of the DUI laws in Knoxville. An attorney experienced with DUI law in Knoxville may be able to get the penalties reduced.
Professional advocacy with a personal touch
Located in the prestigious First Tennessee Plaza, the Law Office of Kelly S. Johnson serves individuals facing DUI charges in Knoxville, Knox County, and the surrounding East Tennessee area. Our Knoxville drunk driving attorneys perform home, hospital, or jail visits for clients unable to travel and have evening and weekend hours available by appointment.
