| DUI punishment in Tennessee is complicated, as it is in | | | | your car forfeited. The mandatory minimum fine is |
| many jurisdictions. Levels of punishment and penalties | | | | $1100, but this can be increased to as much as $11,000. |
| depend largely on the facts of your arrest as well as | | | | A fourth offense and every offense thereafter is |
| your past criminal record, and more importantly, any | | | | considered a Class E felony. The minimum jail time for |
| prior DUIs in your past. In addition to jail times, fines, | | | | a fourth offense DUI is 150 days. The minimum fine |
| interlock devices, DUI school and possible vehicle | | | | amount increases to $3,000 and your license will be |
| forfeiture can all come into play. | | | | revoked for a minimum of 5 years with no eligibility for |
| Even for a first offender, the minimum penalties include | | | | a restricted license. As with a second and third |
| jail time. A first time offender can expect to spend a | | | | offense, you must attend DUI school, could have your |
| minimum of 48 hours in jail. If you offer a blood or | | | | vehicle forfeited and could be ordered to install an |
| breath test, and your blood alcohol content is over 0.20, | | | | ignition interlock device on your vehicle. |
| the minimum jail sentence is 7 days, which must be | | | | A death caused by the acts of a drunken driver can |
| served consecutively. You will have to attend a DUI | | | | impose a potential penalty greater than that of just a |
| school and will owe court costs (which vary depending | | | | DUI. Additionally, there are penalties for not submitting |
| on your case) and pay a minimum $350 fine. Your | | | | to a blood alcohol test that can range from 1 to 5 |
| license is revoked for one year and depending on the | | | | years loss of license, depending on the circumstances |
| judge, an interlock ignition device can be placed on | | | | and one's prior record. The implied consent law is a civil |
| your car at your expense. The court can also order | | | | penalty, however, and does not carry with it any |
| drug and alcohol treatment if there is indication you | | | | potential jail time. The interlock device requires one to |
| have a substance abuse problem. | | | | blow into it each time before starting his or her car, |
| For a second time offender, the punishments get even | | | | and periodically thereafter. It usually costs several |
| more severe. A minimum 45 day jail sentence is | | | | hundred dollars a year to maintain, and that cost is |
| required, as well as an increase in the minimum fine | | | | borne by the offender. |
| from $350 to $600. You lose your license for two | | | | First through third DUI offenses are all misdemeanors, |
| years, and cannot obtain a restricted one until after the | | | | but all can carry up to 11 months and 29 days in jail. So, |
| first year. Like a first offense, DUI school is required. | | | | the minimums above are not necessarily the |
| Additionally you could have your vehicle forfeited and | | | | sentences always imposed. Prosecutors and judges |
| an interlock ignition device could be ordered installed on | | | | look to the history of the defendant, as well as the |
| your vehicle. | | | | facts surrounding the charge, when determining what |
| A third offense DUI gets even more severe. Though | | | | sentence to offer or impose. The minimum offenses |
| still a misdemeanor, the penalties closely mirror that of | | | | are welcome if one is truly guilty, but they are not |
| the more serious felony fourth DUI offense. A third | | | | required to be offered by the state. Sometimes, if the |
| offense DUI carries a minimum of 120 days in jail. You | | | | facts are in one's favor, the amended charge of |
| lose your license for 3 to 10 years, with no prospect of | | | | Reckless Driving, which is a Class B misdemeanor, can |
| receiving a restricted license. As with a second | | | | be negotiated. However, Reckless Driving is not a |
| offense, you must attend DUI school and can have | | | | lesser charge of DUI and cannot be instructed at trial. |