DUI Lawyer in Chattanooga
Defending Clients Facing DUI Charges in Hamilton County
Our attorneys handle cases from simple speeding tickets to first-degree murder, DUI, and drug-related crimes. Attorney Matt Brock is among few attorneys in the nation certified as instructors in the DUI Detection & Standardized Field Sobriety Testing course recognized by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). This is the same course that police officers take to make DUI arrests while in the Academy.
As impaired driving laws regarding substances other than alcohol are becoming more prevalent, our lawyers work to remain ahead of the curve with their education. Mr. Brock is certified in ARIDE (Advanced Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement) to help detect when officers are making calls of reasonable suspicion on the consumption of alcohol or drugs.
They have also attended 40-hour Forensic science courses at Axion lab in Chicago dealing with gas chromatography—the method used in testing blood for alcohol in Tennessee DUI cases and DUI Drugs—which teaches the impact of drugs on the human body and the forensic science involved in trying blood for drugs in DUI cases.
Do I Need a Lawyer for a DUI?
If you are facing a DUI charge in Tennessee, it is highly recommended that you consult with an experienced DUI attorney in Chattanooga.
DUI charges in Tennessee can have severe consequences. A DUI lawyer can help you understand the charges against you, the potential consequences, and the options available.
An experienced DUI lawyer can also assist you in navigating the legal system and may be able to negotiate a plea deal or reduced charges. They can represent you in court and argue on your behalf.
Therefore, it is highly advised that you seek the guidance of a DUI lawyer in Tennessee to help protect your rights and defend against the charges you face.
Why Choose Our DUI Attorney?
Mr. Brock is an Ambassador for the DUI Defense Lawyer’s Association, a member of the National Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys, and the Chattanooga Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys. He has also taken a modified version of the drug recognition evaluation (DRE) training given to law enforcement, which includes several different tests.
These include:
- Field sobriety tests, some of which are also used to determine alcohol intoxication
- Physiological tests such as those which measure the dilation of the suspect’s pupils, blood pressure, internal clock, etc.
This training allows the DUI lawyer, Mr. Brock, to assess whether an arrest has been done correctly for alcohol impairment and refute officers from making claims that they suspected there might have been drugs involved.
Have you been charged with a DUI in Tennessee? Call Best and Brock today at (423) 829-1043 or contact us online to meet with our DUI Lawyer in Chattanooga.
DUI Defense
DUI Penalties in Tennessee
As far as DUI penalties in Tennessee go, the statute contains mandatory minimum penalties for all convictions.
This law is written as:
- First offense
- Class A misdemeanor with up to 11 months and 29 days in jail with a mandatory minimum of 48 hours to serve
- If breath or blood results are .20 or greater, the mandatory minimum is 7 days to serve
- $465.00 fine
- DUI school
- 1-year loss of license (restricted license available for a TN licensee with an interlock)
- Second offense
- Class A misdemeanor with up to 11 months and 29 days in jail with a mandatory minimum of 45 days to serve
- $600.00 – $3,500.00 fine
- 2-year loss of license (restricted license available for a TN licensee with an interlock)
- Interlock required for an additional 6 months after reinstatement if prior within five years
- Potential seizure of vehicle upon conviction
- Third offense
- Class A misdemeanor with up to 11 months and 29 days in jail with a mandatory minimum of 120 days to serve
- $1,100.00 – $10,000.00 fine
- 6-year loss of license (restricted license available for a TN licensee with an interlock)
- Interlock required for an additional 6 months after reinstatement
- Potential seizure of vehicle
What Makes a DUI a Felony in Tennessee?
A Fourth offense DUI is a felony in Tennessee. The penalties include:
- Up to 6 years in jail with a mandatory minimum of 150 days to serve
- $3,000.00 – $15,000.00 fine
- 8-year loss of license (restricted license available for a TN licensee with an interlock)
- Interlock required for an additional 6 months after reinstatement
- Potential seizure of vehicle
If a child accompanied the person under 18 years of age at the time of the DUI offense, the person’s sentence should be enhanced by a minimum of 30 days to be served in addition to the penalty for the DUI and an additional $1,000.00 fine.
It is important to be aware that DUI, unlike many other crimes, cannot be expunged from your record unless your case is won or dismissed. A DUI conviction remains on your record for life.
Additional DUI Consequences
- Loss of car insurance or sky-high premiums
- Loss of job due to the negative impact on a professional license or security clearance; additionally, many military offenders will suffer sanctions within the military in addition to the state penalties such as loss of driving privileges on base, loss of rank, and suspended pay
- Inability to travel freely outside of the United States
- Immigration problems
- Inability to get certain jobs
What Makes a Field Sobriety Test Valid?
For a field sobriety test to be valid, the police must have administered the test in strict compliance with standardized testing procedures. Our legal team can review the video and testimonial evidence in the case to determine any defects in administering those tests. The officers must have had reasonable suspicion to stop the vehicle before asking someone to exit the vehicle and perform these tests. Stop issues are often ripe for litigation in DUI cases.
If a breath or blood test is administered, a skilled attorney should review the circumstances surrounding the administration of the test to determine any errors in procedure and strict compliance with the law, including the 4th Amendment. If the test is valid, breath and blood tests are not infallible. At Best And Brock, our Chattanooga DUI lawyers remain on the cutting edge of forensic science and have specialized training in gas chromatography and mass spectrometry. We are ready, willing, and able to analyze the raw data from these chemical tests to determine if errors were made.
Contact Our DUI Attorney in Chattanooga Today
Being charged with a crime can be incredibly confusing and frightening. This is why you cannot leave the selection of your legal representative to the last minute or chance. Sufficient experience and knowledge in the field are essential to a favorable outcome. Best Brock offers a personal touch, understanding, and intimate knowledge of criminal defense procedures while communicating with clients. You can trust our team when it comes to your legal representation.
Due to the severe nature of this kind of offense, the mandatory jail time even for a first offense, and the many often unforeseen collateral consequences that may exist depending on your circumstances, it is essential to consult with the Best And Brock DUI defense lawyers as soon as possible.
Why Choose Best And Brock?
- Team Oriented Representation
- Respected in the Legal Community
- Easily Accessible
- Well Trained in DUI Defense
- Personable and Thorough
- Experienced Litigators
Contact Us Today
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