| A DUI in Tennessee or in any other state is a serious | | | | law. A drunk driving charge could cost you your ability |
| offense. It can have a negative impact on your job, | | | | to drive, and not to mention land you in jail. So, the |
| family, and privilege to drive. Hiring an experienced DUI | | | | answer is drunk-driving charges are very serious |
| attorney will have a major impact on how your DUI is | | | | charges and you shouldn't take them lightly. |
| resolved. A experienced DUI attorney that has several | | | | What May Happen if You are Pulled Over |
| years of Criminal and DUI defense experience in the | | | | Here is a likely scenario if you are pulled over and |
| state where you were charged should handle your DUI | | | | you've been drinking: |
| case with aggressive skill while making sure that your | | | | When the officer approaches the car he or she asks |
| rights are upheld. | | | | will probably ask for your license and registration and |
| 1) What is a DUI? | | | | then ask "Have you been drinking tonight?" |
| In Tennessee, and most other states an individual may | | | | The police officer(s) may then ask you to step out of |
| not drive or be in control of a vehicle if the blood | | | | your vehicle and perform one of several field sobriety |
| alcohol content is .08 or more. It takes very little to | | | | tests or FST's. These are quick exercises for you, the |
| achieve a blood-alcohol level in violation of law. | | | | driver, intended to indicate whether you are in fact |
| Depending on the jurisdiction, this criminal offense may | | | | intoxicated. This may include simple tasks such as |
| also be referred to as driving while intoxicated ( DWI ), | | | | tipping your head back and touching your nose, reciting |
| driving while impaired (also DWI), operating a motor | | | | the alphabet or following a pen with your eyes. All of |
| vehicle while intoxicated (OWI) or operatinga motor | | | | these examples are very difficult to perform while you |
| vehicle while intoxicated (OMVI). | | | | are drunk, making them a favorite tool for police |
| DUI charges are usually based on a person's BAC or | | | | officers to use. |
| blood alcohol concentration and may be determined by | | | | If an FST is not performed, the officer(s) is likely to |
| the administering of a breath, blood or urine test (which | | | | perform a chemical test, which can more accurately |
| is usually conducted if drugs are suspected). | | | | indicate sobriety or insobriety. A breathalyzer may be |
| 2) Should I take the breath test? | | | | used at the initial traffic stop, or you may be taken |
| If you have had no alcohol, the test will prove you | | | | back to the station for a blood or urine test. |
| have not exceeded the state limits. If you question | | | | THE WORST THING YOU CAN DO IS WHAT TOO |
| how much alcohol you have consumed, the breath | | | | MANY PEOPLE DO - DELAY OR DO NOTHING! |
| test may prove disappointing for you. Because of the | | | | Way too many people have told me they wished they |
| accuracy of the machines, they are presumed to be | | | | had acted sooner before important evidence was lost |
| accurate and .08 blood alcohol level will get you | | | | that could have proved fatal in their case. I have |
| arrested. You may choose not to blow. Understand | | | | encountered many people who decided not to retain a |
| that failing to take the breath test as requested by an | | | | experienced DUI lawyer for one reason or another. |
| officer with probable cause, may suspend your license | | | | However, only to find themselves years later wishing |
| for a period of one year. | | | | they would have gotten sound advice. It's unfortunate |
| DRUNK DRIVING IS A MINOR CRIME. | | | | but TRUE! |
| Maybe 20 or 30 years ago DUI charges were minor | | | | Please don't let this happen to you. If you're in a |
| offenses. Many veteran attorneys remember the days | | | | situation where you don't know what to do and you |
| when drunk-driving charges only carried a slap on the | | | | can't seem to figure things out, then that's more of a |
| wrist, and fines of $50.00 to $150.00, with no loss of | | | | reason to call an experienced DUI attorney that |
| driving privileges. In fact it was a simple walk down to | | | | understands that you have a lot of questions and |
| the courthouse paying a small fine and letting the judge | | | | concerns on your mind because having a DUI on your |
| reprimand you for a short while. However, those days | | | | permanent criminal history will ultimately affect your life |
| are long gone! | | | | in one-way or another. However, not doing anything at |
| Now with stricter DUI laws you need a lawyer who will | | | | all won't change your situation. |
| represent your interests to the fullest extent of the | | | | |