While Tennessee has several laws that determine DUI penalties, the judge determines the final penalties. A driver committing these violations, even when operating a noncommercial vehicle, may face penalties of a one-year license suspension for their first offense. We work hard every day to deliver each client a high quality, personalized and aggressive representation. In Tennessee, DUI carries significant penalties. The punishment for a first DUI conviction in Tennessee includes a fine of up to $1,500, a time not exceeding 11 months and 29 days in jail and a driver's license suspension of up to one year. If you refuse to perform these tests, the officer questioning you may place you under arrest. However, if your DUI conviction involved an accident in which a person was killed or suffered serious bodily injury, you will not be eligible for a restricted license. No, this one is life-changing. A jail fee of $650 is charged for a 48 hour jail time, and a fee of $44 is charged for each additional day in jail. First-time DUI offenders may be granted a temporary restricted license on suspension of license. In addition: These fees do not exempt an offender from jail time or substantial financial penalties, as these fees are for reinstatement and alcohol monitoring. Per Tennessee law55-10-415it is a Class A Misdemeanor for anyone under the age of 21 but older than 18 to drinking and drive with a blood alcohol concentration of .02% or greater. When an officer stops someone on suspicion of DUI in Tennessee, the officer is already starting to build a case against that person by observing their driving patterns prior to initiating the DUI stop. A DWI charge typically applies to an underage offender (an offender around the age range of 16-20), while a DUI charge applies to an offender over 21. Your license will be revoked otherwise, and your refusal will be used against you in court. A fine of $600 to $3,500. All Rights Reserved. One look at the current Tennessee first DUI penalties and fines should be enough to dissuade you from getting behind the wheel after drinking: Cash Fines and Penalties - $350 to $1,500 License - one-year mandatory suspension Jail - 48 hours to 11 months 57-5-301), Drug Free Youth Act Offenses (Ages 13 17) T.C.A. Monetary Fines and Penalties for DUI in Tennessee. If an officer asks you to take the field sobriety test, just kindly refuse his request). Tennessee DUI laws and penalties are determined by the nature and severity of the offense and the offender's criminal history. If an impaired driver has a passenger under 18 with them at the time of the stop, they face additional penalties for child endangerment, including license revocation and from two to 20 years in prison, if the child passenger suffers a serious injury. Ignition interlock device. DUI Process has partnered with the largest and most trusted SR22 insurance provider in the state of Tennessee and has worked out a special discount only available here for our website visitors. You will also have to pay a license reinstatement fee to the Department. Before the Tennessee DOS will reinstate your license following your revocation period or issue you a restricted license you will be required to show proof of financial responsibility in the form of aTennessee SR22 insurancepolicythat meets the states minimum auto insurance liability coverage limits. When you are charged with a DUI, Tennessee law defines it as a class A misdemeanor. Several possible aggravating factors include the following: Tennessee's law is one of the most strict. This is a Class A felony in the state. A first offense of driving under the influence (DUI) is classified as a class A misdemeanor, with penalties ranging from 48 hours to 11 months in jail and fines ranging from $350 to $1,500. If you refuse then you will automatically lose your license. Leasing, maintenance, and/or monitoring fee: Maximum $100 per month. A driver's license suspension/revocation of 6 years. A driver who has a BAC of 0.08% or more can be convicted of 'DUI Per Se,' which refers to a drunk or drugged driving charge based on BAC or quantity of drugs in the driver's system. Out-of-state DUI charges also count in an offender's record. If anyone was hurt or killed as a result of your DUI, you can expect a lot of jail time on top of heavy fines and retribution requirements. In .css-9c6ohv{font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;font-weight:400;font-size:14px;line-height:22px;font-family:"Arial",serif;color:#1b395e;text-transform:none;font-style:normal;-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;}.css-9c6ohv:hover{color:#d30000;}Tennessee, a DUI (Driving Under the Influence) is the act of operating a vehicle while drunk or intoxicated. If your BAC level was .20% or greater you will have to spend a minimum of 7 days in jail.Fines:The fine amount for a first offense will be between $350 to $1,500 plus associated court costs. Speak with a state-approved provider, Intoxalock, Locate an installation center near you - get a quote for pricing. The penalties for a first-time DUI offense include jail time of between 48 hours to 11 months, mandatory fines, suspension of driver's license for one year, and community service. For first DUI offenses, motorists may be penalized with fines of $350 to $1,500 and license revocations of 1 year. This blog is intended to provide some basic information about the DUI process in Tennessee. The program helps individuals who want to have their driver's license reinstated or are court ordered to participate in a DUI school program. Driving under the influence of alcohol/drugs (DUI/DWI) is a serious offense in Tennessee and can carry heavy consequences. Once that period is over, you can reinstate your license after satisfying any court-ordered requirements, retaking your drivers examination, installing an ignition interlock device, and paying reinstatement fees. Its important to remember that each case is unique, and the outcome will depend on the specific facts and circumstances of your situation. If you are convicted of a first DUI offense, you will be subject to a 1-year license revocation. Jail. Get free quotes from the nation's biggest auto insurance providers. 48 hours to 11 months and 29 days in jail. Tennessee has some of the strictest DUI laws in the country, and the penalties for a first time DUI can be severe. DUI probation could include completing a substance abuse program and any other recommendations given by the judge. The penalties for a DUI/DWI in Tennessee are heavy. Before the Tennessee Department of Safety will reinstate your license following your suspension or revocation period, they will require you to file an SR22 form with them before issuing you a new license. However, there are other non-court related consequences of a DUI conviction that an offender has to deal with, such as: Yes, a DUI offender could get fired from one's job, but this depends on the type of job in question and the nature of the conviction. Any protest or unlawful refusal will lead to the Department of Safety being notified by the court and the driver's license being suspended for between 12 months to 2 years. Before the Tennessee DOS will reinstate your license following your revocation period you will be required to show proof of financial responsibility in the form of aSR22 insurancepolicy that meets the states minimum auto insurance liability coverage limits. No matter what your situation is, we will work diligently to ensure you receive the best possible outcome for your case. In Tennessee, DUI checkpoints are legal, and drivers are legally detained for a short while for questioning by an officer who suspects them of driving 'under the influence.'. After 90 days, the driver may apply for early withdrawal of their license suspension. Memphis, TN 38103Phone: 901-464-4425Fax: 901-525-6294, 2023 Ballin, Ballin & Fishman. It can also affect the offender's ability to get a job, go to school or apply for a loan, which can, in turn, hinder their ability to rent or buy a residence. What Will My Probation Officer Do If I Fail an Alcohol Test? A driver faces their first DUI if they have had no prior convictions in the past 10 years. Feel free to call our team at 901-526-9494 or send us a message about your case. Upon issuance of a restricted license, the judge might also require that the driver use an ignition interlock device (IID) during the suspension period. Tennessee DUIlawcode 55-10-401states that it is against the law for any person to drive a motor vehicle in the state of Tennessee while they are under theinfluence of alcohol or drugswith a blood alcohol concentration level of .08% or greater. Consequences for subsequent . The state of Tennessee is incredibly strict with underage drinking and driving. How do I get my driver's license back after a DUI? Then, blue lights in the rearview. 2 nd Offense. At Barnes & Fersten, we understand the complexities of the DUI process and can help you explore your legal options. But a judge can take past DUI convictions into consideration when sentencing if they occurred within twenty years of the current offense. As usual, a DUI offender must complete a substance abuse program and could be ordered to wear an alcohol-monitoring ankle bracelet. Loss of drivers license for one year. Often, our team answers all types of questions related to DUIs length of sentencing, likelihood of jail time, details on penalties, legality of stop, and more. Fines And Other Penalties. It can also affect the offender's ability to get a job, go to school or apply for a loan, which can, in turn, hinder their ability to rent or buy a residence. A first offense misdemeanor can become a felony if there are special circumstances in play at the time of the traffic stop. According to Nolo, Tennessee has a separate statute for underage drivers who have a lower BAC of between 0.02 and 0.08 percent. In certain cases you may be required to undergo drug and alcohol treatment or perform community service, often in the form of roadside litter pickup. Copyright 2019 Barnes & Fersten. This device must be installed by an approved provider. If your BAC level was at or more than 0.20 percent, you could face seven (7) days in jail. Michelle Nati is an associate editor and writer who has reported on legal, criminal and government news for PasadenaNow.com and Complex Media. 7031 Koll Center Pkwy, Pleasanton, CA 94566 In Tennessee, drivers who are under the age of 21 can be convicted of a standard DUI for driving with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08% or more or while under the influence of (impaired by) drugs or alcohol. Penalties for an underage DUI/DWI may include: Vehicle ignition interlock devices ensure that a car cannot be started if the driver has a certain blood alcohol concentration. Submitting to a chemical test is required by the TennesseeImplied consent law. NOTE:Sentence length depends on a number of factors, including the persons criminal history, Implied Consent/Refusal to Submit to Blood Alcohol T.C.A. Under Tennessee law, any person convicted for a first offense DUI shall be fined between $350 and $1,500. Yes, if you are found guilty of or plead guilty to a DUI, the crime lives on your record for 10 years in the state of Tennessee. A Tennessee DUI offender who commits a DUI while a child under the age of 18 was present in the vehicle would be locked away for at least 30 days and fined a minimum of $1000 if the child was unharmed. The offender would have to pay a mandatory reinstatement of $100. Should a person receive a fourth DUI then that offense would be classified as a Class E felony. No, you are not legally required to perform any field sobriety test in Tennessee. A driver who causes injury to another person while impaired faces a Class D felony. They will also be required to pay restitution to any person suffering physical injury or financial loss, as well as a fine of $350-$1,500. Tennessee does not consider a DUI or a DWI charge based on the substance used but on the offender's age. 1 st Offense. However, most first offense Tennessee DUI sentences are suspended and served on probation. In Tennessee, the estimated cost of a DUI bail is around $1500 for a misdemeanor DUI charge. In fact, drunk driving is the number one killer on Tennesee's roads and has been since 2012. The court will prohibit a convicted person from driving a vehicle in the state of Tennessee for a period of one year. 901Law.com, theMemphis Law Firm for all your legal needs! Technically, a Tennessee DUI stays on an offender's record for life. They may, however, apply for early withdrawal of the suspension after 90 days or apply for a restricted license. If a driving under the influence offense results in a crash causing injuries to another person and you refuse to submit to a chemical test your license will be revoked for 2-years or 5-years if the crash resulted in a death. In Tennessee, a first- time DUI offense is a misdemeanor. A mandatory fine of $600 - $3500 is also required of the offender. Also, the judge can suspend the remainder of an offender's jail time on probation so long as the offender completes the minimum jail time sentence. Ultimately, it's up to the judge to determine the actual fines and jail time within the following parameters. And that's just naming a few. Tennessee First Offense DUI First offense information including penalties, fines, potential jail time, license suspension, DUI classes, and more. The officer asks you to watch a finger or pen as it moves. If the vehicle operator has at least two prior DUI convictions, a prior vehicular assault or homicide conviction, or a prior DUI with a BAC of 0.20 percent or higher, they face a Class A felony charge. This is known as vehicular assault and carries a prison sentence of two to 12 years, license revocation of one to five years (with no eligibility for a restricted license), and a fine of up to $5,000. Notwithstanding, other factors such as the presence of a child passenger in the car could aggravate the circumstances and likewise affect presumptive amounts. However, a first time DUI can give you up to 11 months and 29 days in jail and a $350-$1,500 fine. This is known as driving while intoxicated, or DWI. 3 rd Offense. Things to Know About Giving A Deposition in An Auto Accident Claim, Ignition interlock device installed if BAC >.20, Enroll in and complete a drug and alcohol treatment program, Show proof of car insurance with an SR-22, Provide drivers license application fees. 48 hours to 11 months and 29 days in jail. Attorney Advertising. Reviewed by: Michelle Seidel, B.Sc., LL.B./JD, MBA. . If this was a fourth or subsequent DUI conviction with two of your prior convictions occurring within the past 5-years you will be required to have the ignition interlock for an additional 6 months following the reinstatement of your license following your revocation period. This website is designed for general infomation only. This type of conditional license allows you to drive under certain circumstances with limited driving privileges. If you've been arrested for driving under the influence in Tennessee, it's a good idea to talk to a DUI lawyer. A TN driver's license suspension/revocation for 1 year. In Tennessee, the only distinction between these two charges is the offender's age. Great firm and people. It is not necessary for a person who has been stopped on suspicion of driving under the influence to display the signs one would typically associate with someone who is under the influence. Let us assist you every step of the way. Please reference the Terms of Use and the Supplemental Terms for specific information related to your state. A person operating a commercial motor vehicle in the state of Tennessee while under the influence of alcohol, drugs or an intoxicant with a blood alcohol concentration of .04% or greater or failing to submit to a chemical test is in violation of the states laws regarding CDLs and will be arrested for DUI and your CDL will be revoked for a period of 1-year following a first offense violation. Just the fact that a chemical test shows a blood alcohol concentration level of .08% or greater will get you arrested for DUI in Tennessee. Violating the Tennessee DWI laws for a third time leads to a prison sentence of 11 months with 29 days in jail, fines of up to $10,000 and .