Franklin Drunk Driving Attorneys

Tennessee statutes against drunk driving are intentionally severe. They are designed to discourage those considering driving while under the influence of alcohol from getting behind the wheel. They are also meant to discourage repeat offenses for those who have a prior drunk driving offense conviction—and have considerably harsher penalties for causing an accident while driving drunk.

Alcohol-related traffic crashes in Tennessee

Drunk driving accidents in Tennessee are a serious problem. Between 2003 and 2007, alcohol was responsible for more than 47,000 traffic crashes, according to the Tennessee Department of Safety. More than 10,000 of those alcohol-related crashes resulted in fatalities.

Our own Franklin County experienced many alcohol-related traffic crashes during that same time period:

61 in 2003
60 in 2004
73 in 2005

80 in 2006
50 in 2007

A 2008 report by the Tennessee Department of Safety revealed that nearly 6 percent of all crashes in 2006 were alcohol-related. It also reported that alcohol was responsible for between 32 and 37 percent of auto fatalities annually from 2003 to 2006.

Drunk driving charges

	Jail time	Fines	License revocation	Vehicle seizure
First conviction	48 hours (seven days if BAC is .20% or more)	$350–$1500	One year	Does not apply
Second conviction	45 days to 11 months, 29 days	$600–$3500	Two years	Subject to seizure and forfeiture
Third conviction	120 days to 11 months, 29 days	$1100–$10,000	Three to ten years	Subject to seizure and forfeiture
Fourth-plus conviction	150 days to maximum allowable for a Class E felony	$3000–$15,000	Five years (to indefinite)	Subject to seizure and forfeiture

Drunk driving and vehicular homicide charges

Vehicular homicide in a DUI case refers to the reckless killing of another by a motor vehicle while intoxicated. Depending on the circumstances, the conviction may be a Class C or Class B felony. However, if the jury determines that the defendant has the requisite number and types of prior offenses or level of blood alcohol concentration, the defendant may be charged with aggravated vehicular homicide, which is considered a Class A felony.

How a drunk driving lawyer in Franklin can help you

An experienced DUI lawyer in Franklin may be able to reduce the severity of your charges by carefully analyzing all of the circumstances and evidence related to your arrest, making sure that your rights were protected, that all tests were properly administered, and that the courts consider any extenuating circumstances or good history.

Useful links from our Franklin drunk driving lawyers

Restricted license links and information:

What to do if you are involved in a drunk driving accident in Franklin, TN

Seek legal help with any drunk driving arrest in Franklin
When you are charged with drunk driving or arrested because of a drunk driving accident, the first thing you should do is contact a drunk driving defense lawyer at the Law Offices of Adrian H. Altshuler & Associates.
Invoke your Miranda rights
Immediately invoke your Miranda rights, including the right to an attorney and the right to remain silent until you can speak to a drunk driving lawyer, if you are arrested and charged with drunk driving in Franklin.
Cooperate with the arresting officers
Belligerence will not help your case. Other than basic facts, however, it is best to say nothing else until you meet with your Franklin drunk driving attorneys.

Reliable. Strong. Dedicated.

Clients rely on the Law Offices of Adrian H. Altshuler & Associates to protect their interests through criminal defense cases. They know we do everything we can to aggressively pursue justice on their behalf. We can do the same for you. Call us today at 1-888-328-0433 or use our convenient online form to schedule your free initial consultation.