Getting driving under the influence (DUI) charges placed against you is less typical than you might think. It’s not always about going to the bar, making the mistake of driving home,and getting pulled over. There are many state laws on how a DUI is termed, and technically it goes beyond the 0.08 alcohol level. Even if your blood alcohol level is less, most officers have the right to pull you over for a DUI if you’re obviously driving incorrectly.

This leads to problems, of course, since some people simply cannot drink even a little without getting “buzzed” or incoherent while driving. And sometimes the problem is the legal medication or drug you are taking which together with a glass of wine or half a beer leads to problems. This is far too important to not go over in detail, so we’ll go over the specific state laws, which sometimes vary, to help. If you’re reading this looking for help, hiring a professional DUI lawyer is a wise choice. They can go into even more detail, can explain local laws, and will help you make decisions.

What Substances Lead to DUI Arrests?
This is obviously a broad use of the word, as many medications are clearly not to be taken with alcohol, and some you might not be aware of also effect your driving abilities. It could be the medicine for depression you took last night. It could be no alcohol involved, in fact, which leads to you getting pulled over. After all, alcohol, illegal drugs, and even legal drugs can lead to a DUI.

The State Laws
The laws are fuzzy on this. Technically, if you tell the officer who pulled you over you took some medication, you might be admitting to a DUI. All 50 states do call use of legal medications leading to impaired driving as DUI or DWI. It may not seem to be a big deal, but be careful in what you say, and better yet, be clear on what the medicines effects might be on you. And some medications combined with alcohol clearly not only hurt your driving and lead to arrests, but can be dangerous for you and others on the road.

So What’s a DUI?
A driving under the influence case is made by two points. First, you’re driving a vehicle. Two, you’re impaired by some form of alcohol, illegal drug, legal drug, or combinations. If you took a heavy prescription and it led to an accident or you were pulled over, you could be at fault and need legal guidance.

How Do I Proceed?
The best answer for all these questions is to meet with a DUI lawyer in your state who can go over the specific laws with you. While taking a daily medication may seem to be safe, as millions do it and drive, in some cases it can hurt your driving. That said, you have the right to fight against the DUI, and the best route is with a professional DUI lawyer.

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Music City, U.S.A. is singing a happy tune this summer.  There are plenty of parties and festivals to allow residents and visitors to enjoy the longer days and warmer weather that the season brings.  But for those who are caught mixing drinking and driving, the tempo is about to change.

Drunk driving is a serious crime in the state of Tennessee.  This charge is governed by a complex set of laws and its penalties are becoming more severe year after year.  This is not a situation that should be handled alone.

If you have been arrested for DUI in the Nashville area, you should secure the services of an experienced DUI attorney as soon as possible.  By choosing a legal professional who specializes in DUI cases, you can ensure that all of the unique circumstances of your situation are being considered.

At the time of your arrest, officers requested that you complete a chemical test by providing a breathe or blood sample to determine your blood alcohol concentration (BAC).  The legal limit for intoxication in the state of Tennessee is .08% or greater.  You had the right to refuse to submit to this test, but if you did, your license will be suspended for 1-2 years depending on the other factors in your case.  This automatic suspension is the result of the Tennessee implied consent laws, which state that any person operating a motor vehicle in the state has already given their consent for tests that determine their blood alcohol content.

You may also lose your license if you are convicted of the DUI charge.  This license suspension will be considered completely separately from the suspension based on a refusal to submit to a chemical test.  If your license is suspended, you will have the option to apply for a restricted license.  The privileges offered by the restricted license will differ depending on why your license was revoked.  You will receive more privileges if your restricted license is the result of a DUI conviction rather than the result of a refusal to submit to a chemical test.

Penalties for a first time DUI offense include fines of at least $350, a 1 year license revocation, required participation in DUI school, and at least 48 hours spent in jail.

The minimum jail time will increase to 7 days if your BAC is .20 or greater.  You may also be ordered to install an ignition interlock device in your vehicle.  This device will require a breathe sample in order to ensure that you are not legally intoxicated before you are able to start your vehicle.

All of these penalties will have a dramatic impact on your lifestyle and that of your family.  Contact a reputable DUI lawyer today to review your case and recommend the best action.

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Summer is in full swing in Tennessee’s River City and from Beale Street to Graceland residents are enjoying warmer weather and longer days.  Celebrations include everything from family backyard barbeques to festivals and street fairs.  But for those who combine drinking and driving with their summer fun, the lazy days by the pool may come to quick end.

Drunk driving is a serious crime in the state of Tennessee.  Laws are passed each year to increase the severity of the punishments that drivers may face and law enforcement agencies are always on the lookout for those who have had too much and get behind the wheel.

If you have been arrested for DUI in the Memphis area, you are facing a lengthy, uphill battle to retain your driver’s license.  The laws related to DUI are complex and the proceedings required to deal with these cases will take a significant amount of time and energy.  The best thing you can do is to seek out an experienced DUI attorney to review your case and recommend the best action for you.  Such a legal professional has seen hundreds of cases just like yours and is well-aware of the current laws related to DUI cases.

When you were arrested for DUI, the arresting officer requested that you take a chemical test to determine your blood alcohol concentration (BAC).  The chemical tests require you to provide a breathe or blood sample.  You have the right to refuse to submit to this test, but if you do your license will be suspended to 1-2 years.

The legal limit for intoxication in the state of Tennessee is .08%.  If you did submit to the chemical test and are convicted of DUI as a result, you may lose your license as well.  However, you will have the opportunity to apply for a restricted license if yours is suspended.  A restricted license will enable you to drive to specific places during specific times of day.  These special circumstances include driving to your workplace, to an alcohol treatment program, to a college or university if you are currently enrolled as a full-time student, and to any appointments required by the court.

First time offenders for DUI face numerous penalties: fines of at least $350, required participation in DUI school, and a minimum of 48 hours spent in jail.  These penalties increase if your BAC is .20 or greater.

As you can see, a DUI case is not a matter to be taken lightly.  Take action today by speaking with an experienced DUI lawyer.

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