Tennessee has some very strict DUI laws that you should understand and know about, especially if you don’t care to get behind the wheel when you are under the influence of drugs or alcohol. A blood alcohol concentration of .08 or above when you are pulled over will mean that you are arrested and that you will face some penalties and punishments. This limit goes down if you are an underage driver or a commercial driver. An underage driver’s limit is .02 and a commercial driver has a limit of .04. What are the punishments that are most common for DUI offenses in Tennessee?
First Offense DUI
When you are convicted of a DUI in the State of Tennessee for the first time, you will face a license suspension for a period of one year. To get your license reinstated, you will have to have an ignition interlock device installed on your vehicle if you had a BAC above .15, refused the test, or you had a passenger under the age of 18 in the car at the time of your arrest. As far as jail time, you will face a minimum of 48 hours in jail and this time period can increase to a period of 11 months. Fines will range from $350 to $1500. Other DUI penalties that you may face include picking up trash on the side of the road, attending a DUI school, and possible child endangerment penalties (if you had a child in the care with you at the time of your arrest).
Second Offense DUI
If you have had a second offense within ten years, you will be looking at a license suspension of 2 years and an ignition interlock device may be required for 6 months if you had a previous DUI in the last 5 years, had a BAC above .15, had a child in the car, or refused the testing. Jail time will range from 45 days up to 1 year, depending upon the arrest factors. Fines will range from $600 to $3500 and this will not include the cost of other parts of your sentencing, including drug and alcohol treatment assessment or installation of the ignition interlock device. Other penalties that you may face include vehicle seizure, litter pick up and child endangerment penalties.
Third Offense DUI
A third DUI offense within ten years of the other two will mean that you will have your license suspended for at least 3 years and up to 10 years. Your jail time will range from at least 120 days up to one year. As far as fines, you will be looking at fines from $1100 to $10,000 and this will not include reinstatement fees, court costs, and other costs associated with your sentencing. Other penalties that you may face with the third offense include vehicle seizure, litter pick-up, drug and alcohol assessment, DUI school attendance, and child endangerment penalties if you had a passenger under the age of 18.
Fourth Offense DUI
A fourth DUI offense within ten years is a class “E” felony. Your license will be suspended for 5 years up to the rest of your life and you will face at least 150 days in jail up to the maximum sentence for a Class “E” felony. Fines will range from $3000 to $15000, but this will not include such things as an ignition interlock device and other costs that are associated with the court process and sentencing. Other penalties may be assessed as your court and sentencing dictates.
If you are facing DUI charges, you want to be sure that you get a lawyer to help guide you and assist you. This legal representation can make all the difference in your penalties and punishments.