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Tennessee DUI / DWI Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in DUI / DWI for Tennessee on
Q: do i still have to get an interlock for my car? i havent had a license since my dui in 2007. just now paid all fines .

i currently am in the process of getting them after 13 years! looks like after all this time i wouldnt have to have it or take a dui class either? havent had any more trouble since then an dont drink anymore.

Anthony M. Avery
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answered on Mar 12, 2020

Very doubtful, as the blow meter is for a restricted license. Whatever the case, you have to do what the Department of Safety says you have to do. It does not make any difference what you or some court clerk think you have to do. Take the time to get the DOS to give you a full list,... View More

1 Answer | Asked in DUI / DWI for Tennessee on
Q: In TN is it prosecutable to be convicted of driving with less than 0.05 if/ml of diphenhydramine in your system?

BAC Was 0

Everything on drug test was not detected EXCEPT diphenhydramine. Not even sure if that’s a standard drug to test for.

He took one half of a Benadryl (that’s the drug). He was tired and his allergies were bad. That’s all nothing more.

It was cold out, late... View More

Anthony M. Avery
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answered on Feb 25, 2020

I do not know what that drug is, but the State can claim anything in your system influences your driving. And there is a threshold amount for Sentencing purposes for Alcohol only, with no particular amounts making a difference for drugs. So TN can probably charge you with DUI with that in your... View More

1 Answer | Asked in DUI / DWI for Tennessee on
Q: Simple possession carries how long behind bars
Anthony M. Avery
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answered on Feb 24, 2020

Eleven Months and Twenty Nine Days is possible. Hire a competent lawyer, and get the Charge Diverted, Dismissed and Expunged. That Conviction will destroy you later on. Do not get a PD.

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law and DUI / DWI for Tennessee on
Q: Hello. My husband has been charged with dui x3 felony evading arrest what could be his punishment in tn
Cayley Turrin
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Cayley Turrin
answered on Feb 17, 2020

On the DUI 3rd alone it is 120 days in jail at 100%. I highly suggest you get him an attorney immediately.

1 Answer | Asked in DUI / DWI for Tennessee on
Q: Can you get in trouble for being a passenger and consuming liquor in a car
Anthony M. Avery
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answered on Jan 30, 2020

Yes. Open alcohol beverage, Public Intoxication, etc.

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law and DUI / DWI for Tennessee on
Q: im on last month of theft under 500 probation and got public intox yesterday will i go back to jail. ive had zero viola

my theft charge was a misdemeanor theft under $500 . i got arrested in walmart last night on suspicon of being drunk . they didnt give me any tests. paid $270 to get out of jail and i wont have a court date because it said i pled guily . ive paid all my fines for my previous charge and im on my... View More

Cayley Turrin
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Cayley Turrin
answered on Jan 25, 2020

You have technically still violated your probation and there is a chance you will go to jail because of it.

1 Answer | Asked in DUI / DWI for Tennessee on
Q: Taken my Dui to criminal Court and told there is additional jail time past my 48hrs how much time if conv. 7 days min?

Told there was additional jail time because I decided to fight it in criminal Court, and if I don't take the guilty plea and still found guilty I will have to finish my 48hrs and have more time added? bac wasn't over.20 so what am I looking at 7 days minimum. I know the max

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answered on Jan 16, 2020

You already know...7 days to serve, on a 11 mo/29 day Sentence. But you also have all the First Offense DUI requirements which are extensive and expensive. At Criminal Court you can file Motions, like Suppression, Discovery, Bifurcated Trial, etc. Giving BAC was a mistake, but maybe consent... View More

1 Answer | Asked in DUI / DWI for Tennessee on
Q: Can they seize my vehicle ifjust got pulled over for for.butmy DUI occurred almost 20years ogo
Anthony M. Avery
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answered on Dec 27, 2019

LEO's will try almost anything when it comes to DUI Enforcement. You probably should not be charged with Second Offense DUI, as your First Offense DUI was more than ten years ago. But it is up to you to bring it up in Court, so hire a competent attorney now. You need to be prepared for a... View More

1 Answer | Asked in DUI / DWI for Tennessee on
Q: I was in a one vehicle front end collision, my fault, air bags deployed and car was totaled, I was taken to jail but no

Not hospital. Was wondering where the law is on that. If officers are required to have to looked at or at least sign something refusing medical care.

Anthony M. Avery
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answered on Dec 20, 2019

There is no law mandating the LEO's obtain medical care for you. Many procedures and rules do exist though. If you think you were damaged by their malfeasance , you can file suit. But unless your injuries are catastrophic, it does not look good.

1 Answer | Asked in DUI / DWI for Tennessee on
Q: I was charged with a dui after leaving the scene of an assault against me. Immediately after. I have no record

A neighbor called 911 and I could not find my phone to call the police. I did not know the neighbor had called. I was assaulted by 3-4 individuals

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answered on Nov 29, 2019

What is your question? Driving Under the Influence is not excused by leaving an attack. If there is a friendly witness available, the DA might be more understanding. But I doubt it. Hire a competent attorney to put together a thorough Preliminary Hearing. The assailants are not going to help... View More

1 Answer | Asked in DUI / DWI for Tennessee on
Q: Can I get a refund for the money I spent on a silver DUI after my blood work came back clean and it was thrown out
Anthony M. Avery
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answered on Nov 18, 2019

Refund from who or what? And what is a "silver DUI"? Your question makes no sense, but it appears you were extraordinarily lucky and need to move on. You can still be Indicted within 1 year from the incident, which your lawyer should have told you.

1 Answer | Asked in DUI / DWI for Tennessee on
Q: Plead guilty dui 2nd offense in TN. Current license & resident in AR. Will AR license be revoked or just TN rights?

Following conviction received notice from TN Homeland Security that license, driving privilege, & privilege to obtain license is revoked per 55-50-501. Further states it is illegal for any resident or nonresident to drive in tn under a license issued by another jurisdiction. It request... View More

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answered on Nov 12, 2019

TN Department of Safety can only suspend the License it issues. But the Court and/or DOS can (and usually does) notify the issuing state of the DUI Conviction here. Your lawyer should have already told you this way prior to the conviction. If your License is not suspended, you still cannot... View More

1 Answer | Asked in DUI / DWI for Tennessee on
Q: I need to show the consequences, when caught, to my step-son for driving while smoking marijuana, he already has a DUI
Brandon D. Fersten
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Brandon D. Fersten
answered on Nov 3, 2019

I would explain to your step-son that he can be charged and convicted of a DUI for driving while smoking marijuana. It is a common misconception that you can only be convicted of DUI for drinking and driving. The DUI statute makes it a crime to drive or be in physical control of a motor driven... View More

1 Answer | Asked in DUI / DWI for Tennessee on
Q: If I have a dui/ child neglect charge is that a Misdemeanor or felony
Anthony M. Avery
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answered on Oct 7, 2019

It could be either or both. A lawyer would need to read your Warrants, and then possibly look up the Statutes.

1 Answer | Asked in DUI / DWI for Tennessee on
Q: My son who doesn’t live in knoxville has a dui charge there. He has a warrant now bc he wasn’t there for court. What now

He is a recovering addict, he needed to get out of Knoxville to change his life for the better or he was going to die. He’s been in trouble before but completed his probation. The dui is from him OD in the car. How can he straighten this up living in another state? He doesn’t have the money to... View More

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answered on Oct 4, 2019

He will have to come back to Knox County to face the DUI Charge. I assume it is still at General Sessions. At Court the Warrant would have to be brought in (since he is not on the Docket), him arrested and booked, Bond set and hopefully made (so he could get out of jail), then him and the lawyer... View More

1 Answer | Asked in DUI / DWI for Tennessee on
Q: I have been charged with a DUI in Tennessee and I have some questions

What is the fines and punishment of 1st offense DUI

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answered on Oct 2, 2019

Initially at least 48 hours of jail, DUI School, License Revocation, at least a $ 350 Fine, and other requirements and Costs. Usually the cheapest part is hiring a competent attorney, as there may be defenses or the damage control might be significant. But be aware, few lawyers will really... View More

1 Answer | Asked in DUI / DWI and Child Support for Tennessee on
Q: I don't know how it works but I'm on my 4th dui. My 1st was when I was 16 and was charged underage. I haven't done jail
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answered on Sep 14, 2019

You are charged with a serious Felony. Hire a competent attorney immediately. You may be able to attack the earlier convictions, so that sentencing will not be a Felony. Obviously you need to get ready for a Preliminary Hearing and possibly later, Trial. If the State does not agree to a 2nd or... View More

1 Answer | Asked in DUI / DWI for Tennessee on
Q: i have a dui question Initially got it in AZ but now live in TN

I did not finish my interlock (1 year) in AZ, but did finish all other requirements including 15 days incarcerated. Do I have to have an interlock in Tennessee? For 12 months?

Anthony M. Avery
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answered on Sep 12, 2019

You need to talk to your Arizona Lawyer. Possibly you have violated your Probation Order. However you should be able to drive anywhere with the Interlock Device. If you are found driving without it, it will be bad.

2 Answers | Asked in DUI / DWI for Tennessee on
Q: I got charged with a dui and reckless driving an open containers. However upon the trooper arriving I was not in my car

It had ran out of gas so I was walking to get gas.

Cayley Turrin
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Cayley Turrin
answered on Sep 9, 2019

You should hire an attorney immediately for your case as there may be some defenses for it.

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1 Answer | Asked in DUI / DWI for Tennessee on
Q: Is there a statue of limitations on unpaid dui/dwr fines from the nineties in Tennessee?

No drivers license is holding me back from getting good jobs. Can I discuss a settlement with the local courthouse? I paid what I could afford and with having to settle for low paying jobs in this area, the rest is still on the books. Without the thousand for reinstatement, what I have left is... View More

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answered on Aug 20, 2019

You might try Legal Aid who might try to get some Costs executed. I do not believe the Department of Safety will help you. Whatever they say you have to do is what has to be done, right or wrong. DOS issues the TNDL. Sometimes people go to other States for DL's.

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