TN DUI Penalties if Convicted
While most DUI offenses are classified as misdemeanors rather than felonies, the TN DUI penalties for DUI convictions are typically much more serious than other misdemeanors. Though TN DUI penalties will differ in each case, depending on the particular facts and circumstances, all DUI convictions require mandatory jail time. The summary below of TN DUI penalties is intended to be general in nature and should not be relied upon without individual consultation with a well-qualified DUI lawyer in Knoxville, Tennessee or the Tennessee jurisdiction in which you were arrested.
Other Consequences of a Tennessee DUI Conviction
Tennessee DUI defendants find themselves dealing with other consequences of a Tennessee DUI conviction long after all fines are paid, probation has expired, and their driver’s license has been reinstated. Few understand not only the stigma that follows a DUI conviction, but also the correlating economic, professional, and restrictive consequences that will plague a person convicted of a Tennessee DUI offense for the rest of their life.
Just like TN DUI penalties, the additional consequences of a DUI conviction will vary depending upon the facts and circumstances of each case. The following list is intended only as a general guideline to identify some of these potential concerns facing Tennessee DUI offenders.
- Increase in automobile insurance premiums or even cancellation of an insurance policy following a Driving Under the Influence arrest or DUI conviction;
- Inability to rent a vehicle from a commercial agency;
- Restrict ability to obtain and/or maintain life insurance, health insurance, and disability insurance;
- Jeopardize the status of a professional license (e.g. Doctor, Lawyer, Nurse, Stock Broker, Airplane Pilot);
- Impair ability to obtain future employment or to be accepted into an educational program (e.g. undergraduate or graduate school admission);
- Restrict a person’s ability to acquire and/or maintain the possession of a firearm; Restrict one’s ability to travel outside of the United States (i.e. Canada, which maintains strict laws on the eligibility of entrance to the country for those who have been arrested and/or convicted of Driving Under the Influence and related crimes).
These additional TN DUI penalties of a Tennessee DUI conviction stress the importance of consulting with an experienced and knowledgeable DUI attorney in Knoxville, TN or the jurisdiction in which you were arrested as soon as possible.
Summary of Tennessee DUI Penalties
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1st OFFENSE DUI
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2nd OFFENSE DUI
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3rd OFFENSE DUI |
4th or SUBSEQUENT OFFENSE DUI
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PUNISHMENT |
Class A Misdemeanor 11 months, 29 days
|
Class A Misdemeanor 11 months, 29 days
|
Class A Misdemeanor 11 months, 29 days
|
Class E Felony One to six years |
|
JAIL TIME |
YES Mandatory minimum 48 hours (7 days if blood alcohol concentration is .20% or higher) |
YES Mandatory minimum 45 days |
YES Mandatory minimum 120 days |
YES Mandatory minimum 150 days |
|
FINES |
Minimum fine $350 Maximum fine $1,500 |
Minimum fine $600 Maximum fine $3,500 |
Minimum fine $1,100 Maximum fine $10,000 |
Minimum fine $3,000 Maximum fine $15,000 |
|
WORK RELEASE |
After mandatory minimum jail time. |
After mandatory minimum 45 days or, in certain circumstances, after 2 days. |
After mandatory minimum 120 days. |
After mandatory minimum 150 days. |
|
LITTER PICK-UP |
YES Mandatory 24 hours of roadside litter pick-up. |
NO |
NO |
NO |
|
DUI ASSESSMENT |
YES $100 |
YES $100 |
YES $100 |
YES $100 |
|
BLOOD ALCOHOL OR DRUG CONCENTRATION TEST FEE |
YES $250 if convicted and submitted to a chemical test (blood, breath or urine) |
YES $250 if convicted and submitted to a chemical test (blood, breath or urine) |
YES $250 if convicted and submitted to a chemical test (blood, breath or urine) |
YES $250 if convicted and submitted to a chemical test (blood, breath or urine) |
|
LICENSE REVOCATION |
1 year |
2 years |
Minimum 6 years Maximum 10 years |
Minimum 8 years |
|
RESTRICTED DRIVER’S LICENSE |
POSSIBLY If no serious bodily injury or death. Not available for Commercial Motor Vehicle (CMV) driver’s license. |
Only after expiration of one year of license revocation, and with compliance with other special conditions, if no serious bodily injury or death. |
None Available |
None Available |
|
VEHICLE FORFEITURE |
POSSIBLY |
JUDGE’S DISCRETION |
JUDGE’S DISCRETION |
JUDGE’S DISCRETION |
|
INTERLOCK DEVICE |
POSSIBLY At the discretion of the court or mandatory if certain conditions are present. |
POSSIBLY At the discretion of the court or mandatory if have prior DUI conviction in past 5 years. |
POSSIBLY At the discretion of the court or mandatory if have prior DUI conviction in past 5 years. |
POSSIBLY At the discretion of the court or mandatory if have prior DUI conviction in past 5 years. |
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ALCOHOL SAFETY/DUI SCHOOL OR VICTIM IMPACT PANEL |
MANDATORY |
POSSIBLY |
POSSIBLY |
POSSIBLY |
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REHABILITATION PROGRAM |
JUDGE’S DISCRETION |
JUDGE’S DISCRETION |
JUDGE’S DISCRETION |
JUDGE’S DISCRETION |
|
COMMUNITY SERVICE |
JUDGE’S DISCRETION |
JUDGE’S DISCRETION |
JUDGE’S DISCRETION |
JUDGE’S DISCRETION |
