DUI

Driving under the influence (DUI) charges do not just stem from drunk driving. They can also result from driving while high on drugs, including cannabis. But determining if a driver is under the influence of marijuana may be more difficult than determining if they have been drinking, which those accused may be able to use…

A standard DUI charge is serious enough on its own. But in Tennessee, certain circumstances push a DUI into a different category entirely, one that carries steeper penalties, mandatory jail time, and in some cases, felony-level consequences. That category is aggravated DUI, and if you’re facing one, understanding exactly what it means under Tennessee law…

Operating a boat can be just as risky as driving a car. The fact that there are different types of water and weather, as well as mechanical issues, makes things even more complicated.  Similarly, operating a vessel while impaired, like driving a car, is irresponsible, illegal, and potentially deadly. These risks are still very real…

You aced the walk, touched your nose, and followed the pen with your eyes. The officer seemed neutral, maybe even impressed, but then came the cuffs. If you passed the field sobriety, why were you still arrested for DUI? The answer lies in how DUI investigations work. Field sobriety tests are one tool in an…

Many people think that different drinks affect intoxication levels and emotions differently. They’re certain that beer makes them feel differently from wine, and that wine shouldn’t affect them the same way bourbon does. The starting point for this question is that generally there is no difference in the amount of ethanol in standard drinks, which…

There are times when a driving under the influence (DUI) conviction in Tennessee prompts the installation of an ignition interlock device (IID) in your car. If you have been charged with a DUI, seek legal help. By partnering with a Franklin DUI lawyer, they could help you avoid a driving under the influence conviction. There…

You could lose your car insurance coverage if you are convicted of driving under the influence (DUI). Auto insurance companies consider DUI convictions carefully. If you are convicted of a DUI, your insurer could decide not to renew your policy at the end of your coverage term. This means you could be forced to find…

Criminal convictions can affect many aspects of your life. Your employer may conduct a background check if you apply for a job. If the employer sees you have a conviction, they may not hire you. Convictions can make it difficult to buy a home, rent an apartment, obtain credit, or keep access to a firearm.…

DUI (sobriety) checkpoints are increasingly common in Tennessee. They are usually set up at predetermined locations where law enforcement is authorized to stop vehicles, check drivers for signs of impairment, and identify and detain those who are driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Are DUI checkpoints legal? Yes, DUI checkpoints are legal.…

Operating a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs is considered very risky and hazardous. Therefore, if a person is caught driving under the influence and receives a DUI charge, they will not only face several consequences and penalties that affect them now, but they will also be faced with consequences that could…

After an afternoon movie with friends, you all decide to stop at your favorite bistro and get a drink to catch up and talk. After a few glasses of wine, everyone piles in the car to go back to your house and keep the party going. You all feel fine to drive, so it doesn’t…

Tennessee, like every US state except Utah, makes it illegal to drive with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) level of .08 or higher. Utah’s BAC limit is just .05. The penalties, even for first-time offenders, include a prison sentence, fines, and loss of driving privileges. Due to the increase in fatal drunk driving accidents and…

Can Uber passengers drink alcohol in Tennessee? Despite Tennessee’s strict penalties for DUI for drivers who are caught drinking and driving, drinking is perfectly legal for passengers. There are ten states in the United States that allow the consumption of alcohol inside of a vehicle, and Tennessee is one of them. These states allow passengers…

Breath tests are usually administered by law enforcement officers when they suspect that a person is driving under the influence of alcohol. Although many officers frequently use these devices to accuse drivers of a DUI, these tests are known to give false readings. If you blew into a breathalyzer and the results were positive, know…

There is a current battle going on in the state of Tennessee, as the Tennessee Department of Agriculture recently submitted a proposal to stop the selling of unregulated THCA. This new proposal shines light on the fact that many people are using Delta-8 and THCA, which are not technically weed, but you can still face…

You may think that you are doing your friend a favor when you lend out your car to them, but the consequences of lending your car to someone who is under the influence can be severe, thanks to a new law that went  into effect this July. It is crucial for car owners to be…

Tennessee requires drivers to install an ignition interlock device when their driving privileges have been taken away after drinking and driving. During this suspension period, they must keep the interlock device properly installed inside their car. However, it is not unusual for these devices to break or become damaged, which leads to individuals wondering what…

According to the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 38,824 fatal traffic accidents occurred in 2020, and 11,654 of those accidents were due to drunk driving crashes. Statistics for 2019 indicate that there was a 66% decrease in alcohol impaired driving fatalities since 1982. This is great news in the fight against drunk driving, but…

Driving under the influence is a crime, and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports about 32 people die every day from alcohol-related car crashes. It does not matter who you are, where you are going, or how many drinks you have had—driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs is extremely dangerous…