| Being charged with a DUI is a scary and stressful | | | | In Nashville, less than 10 percent of cases make it to |
| situation that can leave you with many questions about | | | | criminal court on their first offense. Those receiving |
| where to go and what to expect. First, it is important to | | | | their second offense have a 25 percent chance of |
| seek professional legal advice from a lawyer. The | | | | making it to criminal court. If sent to criminal court, it |
| penalties for a DUI are stiff and a lawyer can help you | | | | may take several months before the trail. |
| get a lighter punishment or even get your case | | | | Those convicted of it can receive harsh punishments. |
| dismissed. | | | | Those with their first offense may receive 25 hours in |
| Of all the people charged with a DUI in Nashville each | | | | jail, the loss of your license for up to a year, probation, |
| year, only 15 make it all the way to trail to have their | | | | a fine, and safety school. You may also have to |
| case decided. Many cases are settled in a few | | | | perform community service picking up garbage, and |
| months of the charge, while only a fourth to a third | | | | you will have to wear a vest that states you are a |
| make it to court. The cases that make it to criminal | | | | DUI offender. |
| court may take a year to be settled. | | | | Those receiving their second offense will have to |
| Your first court appearance is about a month after | | | | spend 45 days in year, loss their driving privileges for |
| you have been charged. You first court appearance is | | | | two years, probation, a larger find, and safety school. |
| called the Settlement Docket. On this day, up to 100 | | | | The third offense gets even harsher. You would |
| other defendants are appearing for court. This is when | | | | spend 120 days in jail, loss of license for 3 years, an |
| the court sorts through all the cases, settle some, and | | | | even large fine, safety school, and treatment. |
| schedule others for their next court date. Many DUI's | | | | The best way to bet a DUI is simply to not drink and |
| will move on to the next court date. | | | | drive in Nashville, TN (or anywhere). It is dangerous and |
| The next court date is your actual trail. Most DUI trails | | | | if caught, the punishment can be harsh. If you are |
| are settled at this point. If you do not have a skilled DUI | | | | charged with a DUI, it is advised that you receive legal |
| lawyer at this point, you should consider getting one. | | | | counsel from a DUI lawyer in Nashville who |
| Your trail will either be settled here or sent over to the | | | | understands the local laws. |
| Grand Jury. | | | | |