Nashville First Offense DUI
Filed Under Nashville DUI attorney, Tennessee DUI Attorney | Leave a Comment
You are driving home one night from a friends house or a nightclub, suddenly you see the blue lights flashing right behind you, you think to yourself that you are ok to drive, you have never been in any trouble, surely they will see that and let you go on your way, Probably Not.
A Tennessee DUI is not based on your past history of no prior convictions or charges, a first offense DUI only involves one thing, whether or not you were under the influence when they pulled you over, and while you were in control of an automobile, your past history of no problems with the law will not matter.
What are the consequences of a Nashville DUI first offense, well it starts with your license being revoked for a period of one year, some may be eligible for a restricted license, others may not. You are now required to pick up litter for a total of 24 hours, that is three Saturdays of litter pick up. You are required to spend at minimum 48 hours in jail. You are subject to fines and court costs, you are subject to alcohol and drug treatment, safety school. You are subject to 11 months and 29 days probation with drug screens if required. The penalties are severe in Tennessee for a first offense DUI.
Is there any hope for my case?This is a question I hear quite frequently, and the answer is yes, there are alternatives to pleading guilty, just because a friend pled guilty to a first offense DUI does not mean you will have to do the same.
If I did not blow into the breathalyzer does that make me guilty of a DUI?No it does not, by refusing the breathalyzer you possibly violated the implied consent laws of Tennessee but that suspends your license, it does not mean you are guilty of a DUI.
I took the field sobriety tests, I think I failed, there is no hope? Not true, the field sobriety tests in Tennessee are not pass or fail, they are graded on a point scale for each infraction the officer witnessed. There are defenses to these tests available.
If I was driving ok, not violating any traffic laws can they just stop me for a possible DUI? No, the stop in a DUI is protected by Constitutional safeguards, hunches are not enough for the police to pull you over.
Please give the law office a call at toll free (877) 271-2633 or local at (615) 308-2633 and let us put our experience to work for you.
