Criminal Defense Attorney Chattanooga

Chattanooga DUI Attorney

DUI Charges and Their Consequences

Your DUI defense lawyer, attorney John McDougal cares about each of his clients and fights aggressively for their rights. He is dedicated to seeing that his clients are guided through the criminal justice system in a manner that won't leave them feeling confused and exploited.

Whether the charge is a first time DUI or involves reckless homicide, your DUI Attorney, a Chattanooga DUI defense lawyer, is well-versed in protecting and defending your rights. Anyone stopped with a blood alcohol statutory content level BAC of .08% or more runs the risk of serious consequences should a conviction occur. DUI penalties can be quite severe, resulting in possible jail time, harsh fines, and license suspension. While many simply accept a guilty verdict and are convicted, this can lead to long term negative effects in your life, such as high insurance rates, difficulty finding certain types of employment, and even in obtaining loans.

Types of Drunk Driving Charges

  • Driving Under the Influence - DUI

  • Driving While Intoxicated - DWI

  • Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants - DUII

  • Driving While Under the influence - DWUI

  • Operating Under the Influence - OUI

  • Operating While Intoxicated - OWI


First DUI Offense

Fines:
Ranging from a minimum of $350.00 to a maximum of $1,500.00.

Penalties and Jail Time:
Mandatory consecutive 7 days if blood alcohol readings exceeds .20%. Driver’s license revoked for one year.






Second DUI Offense

Fines:
Ranging from a minimum of $600.00 to a maximum of $3,500.00.

Penalties and Jail Time:
Ranging from 45 days minimum to 11 months and 29 days maximum.
Driver’s license revoked for two years.
Alcohol and drug treatment programs available as jail credit.
Forfeiture of vehicle if used in the offense.


Third DUI Offense

Fines:
Ranging from a minimum of $1,100.00 to a maximum of $10,000.00.

Penalties and Jail Time:
Ranging from 120 days minimum to 11 months and 29 days maximum.
Driver’s license revoked for 3-10 years.
Alcohol and drug treatment programs available as jail credit. Forfeiture of vehicle.


Fourth DUI Offense
Conviction of a Class E Felony


Fines:
Ranging from a minimum of $3,000.00 to a maximum of $15,000.00.

Penalties and Jail Time:
Ranging from 150 days minimum to 6 years maximum.
Driver’s license revoked for 5 years. Alcohol and drug treatment programs available as jail credit.
Forfeiture of vehicle.



DUI with Vehicular Assault
Conviction of a Class D Felony


Penalties and Fines:
License revocation, fines, court costs and more.
All other fines and penalties will apply as regarding the number of times you have offended. Depending if: 1st Offense, 2nd Offense, 3rd Offense, or 4th Offense.

Jail Time:
Ranging from a minimum of two years to a maximum of 12 years in jail.


DUI with a Passenger under age 13 - "Child Endangerment"
Conviction of a Class D Felony

Fines:
Ranging from a minimum of $3,000.00 to a maximum of $15,000.00.

Penalties and Jail Time:
Ranging from 2 years minimum to 4 years maximum.
Driver’s license revoked depending on number of past offenses.
Alcohol and drug treatment programs available as jail credit
Forfeiture of vehicle.



DUI Schools

The following are approved DUI schools:

Action Counseling And Consulting
151 Durkee Road N.E.
Cleveland , TN 37323

(423) 339-2713


Alternative Correctional Services
413 East Market Street
Po Box 2108
Kingsport , TN 37662

(423) 578-2500


Bradford Health Services - Chattanooga
6160 Shallowford Road, Suite 103
Chattanooga, TN 37421

(423) 892-2639


Campbell County Educational Consultants, Inc.
181 Indian Mound Circle
Jacksboro, TN 37757

(423) 562-0011


Comprehensive Community Services
215 Court Ave., Suite 201
Sevierville, TN 37862

(423) 428-6110



Chattanooga Juvenile DUI

Underage Driving While Impaired - Underage DWI

Age: Persons ages 16 to 18.
Charge: Class A Misdemeanor
Penalties: One year driver's license suspension and a fine of $250.00. Not eligible for a restricted driver's license. The court can also impose public service work and court costs.

License revocation for one year may also required when a defendant is found to have refused to submit to a chemical (blood, breath, or urine) test after being lawfully requested to do so. This Implied Consent Violation may apply even where the defendant is not convicted of DUI.


Age: Persons 18 to 21.
Charge: Class A Misdemeanor

Penalties: One year driver's license suspension and a fine of $250.00. In this circumstance, the defendant is not eligible for a restricted driver's license, as would be someone convicted of "Adult" Driving Under the Influence (DUI). The court may also impose public service work and court costs.

License revocation for one year may also required when a defendant is found to have refused to submit to a chemical (blood, breath, or urine) test after being lawfully requested to do so. This Implied Consent Violation may apply even where the defendant is not convicted of DUI.


Chattanooga Out of State DUI

Charge: Driving Under the Influence (DUI)

Penalties: Same as Tennessee residents, Tennessee does have reciprocity with some other states, so your state may revoke your license if you are convicted of DUI in Tennessee.

Prior DUI: If you have had a prior drunk driving conviction on your criminal record from another state, Tennessee will consider it to be the same equivalent of a Tennessee DUI conviction. Although you will not be charged with a second-offense of DUI, you face increased penalties if convicted.


Penalties for BUI (Boating under the Influence)

BUI 1st Offense:
Fine: $250.00 -$2,500.00 maximum
Jail Time: Up to 11 months and 29 days, and suspension of boating license for 1 year

BUI 2nd Offense:
Fine: $500.00 - $2,500.00 maximum
Jail Time: Up to 11 Months and 29 days and suspension of boating license for 2 years

BUI 3rd Offense or more
Fine: $1,000.00 - $5,000.00 maximum
Jail Time: 30 days - 11 months and 29 days suspension of boating license for 3 years up to 10 years maximum

Get a Free Consultation - Call Us today at (423) 756–0536

If you would like to contact us, you can also use our contact email form to request a free consultation, for any questions you might have and to schedule an appointment.

DUI Practice Areas

Asset Seizure
Boating Under the Influence
Boating While Intoxicated
BUI
Child Endangerment
Community Corrections Violations
Driving Offenses
Driving on a Revoked License
Driving on a Suspended License
Driving Under the Influence
Driving While Intoxicated
Drug Charges
Drug Crimes
Drug Offenses

Drug Paraphernalia Possession
Drug Possession
DUI DWI
Expungement of Criminal Record
Expungements
Hit and Run
Homicide
Juvenile Crimes
Marijuana
Misdemeanors
Motions to Reduce Bond
Narcotic Offenses
Nonviolent Crimes
Parole Board Representation

Parole Violations
Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Resale
Possession of Controlled
Substances
Possession of Marijuana
Probation Violations
Public Intoxication
Reckless Homicide
Restraining Orders
Sentencing
Serious Traffic Violations
Underage Consumption
Vehicular Homicide
Violation of Probation