Drivers with repeat DUI offenses are subjected to increased penalty severity with each subsequent offense, making for a painful experience if you charged for the second, third, or fourth time with driving under the influence.
Moreover, the frequent changes in the laws make DUI cases even more challenging to defend. In a bid to deter driving under the influence, The Tennessee Legislature is fond of altering the law to make DUI punishment more severe.
With that in mind, you need an experienced lawyer who is skilled and stays up-to-date with the regular changes in the laws regarding DUI. Nash Law has over 14 years of experience defending DUI clients from charges. We are experienced and dedicated to your defense.
Call us today at 615-NASH-LAW to set up a schedule with our experienced and skilled DUI defense attorneys in Nashville regarding your repeat DUI offense.
DUI Penalties in Nashville
Being convicted of a DUI in Nashville can have severe and long-lasting consequences in your life. It’s even worse when the convictions are multiple, as the severity of the punishment increases exponentially with each subsequent conviction.
Under Tennessee law, the first, second, and third DUI charges are classified as Class A misdemeanors unless aggravating circumstances require a harsher charge. The fourth charge is categorized as a felony offense that has lasting effects on your employment opportunities and financial well-being.
DUI Penalties for First-Time Offenders
Tennessee law has severe punishment for driving under the influence, even for first-time offenders. While the actual penalty will depend on the circumstances of your case, they can range from fines (ranging from $350 to $1,500) to jail time (a minimum of 2 days up to 11 months and 29 days). The court may also suspend your driving license for a year or more, impacting your mobility.
Additionally, penalties include:
- Court-mandated drug and alcohol treatment program
- Community service
- Installing an ignition interlock device in your vehicle
But perhaps it’s the record of a DUI conviction that you should be concerned about. The penalties for any conviction after your first DUI conviction increase substantially. That’s why we pull all stops at Nash Law to prevent even the first conviction.
Second DUI Conviction in Nashville
The second DUI charge ups the ante as far as punishment is concerned. You face a fine of up to $3,500 and a minimum jail term of 45 days up to 11 months and 29 days. Additionally, your license might be suspended for up to 2 years.
Other penalties you might face include:
- Court-mandated drug and alcohol treatment program
- Community service
- Installing an ignition interlock device in your vehicle
Third Offense DUI in Nashville
The third DUI conviction carries an even more severe punishment. You face a fine of up to $10,000 and a minimum jail time of 120 days up to 11 months and 29 days. Moreover, your driving license might be suspended for up to 6 years, severely affecting your mobility.
You might also face:
- Court-mandated drug and alcohol treatment program
- Community service
- Installing an ignition interlock device in your vehicle
Fourth DUI in Nashville
As a felony charge, your fourth DUI conviction has the harshest penalties possible. You might be fined up to $15,000, a minimum jail sentence of 150 days, and a potential jail sentence of up to 365 days. Your license may also be revoked for up to 8 years.
Factors That Can Affect DUI Penalties in Tennessee
You should also note that a DUI charge when you have a minor in the car results in harsher punishments for the driver, including a minimum fine of $1000 and a jail sentence of 30 days, even when you’re subject to less severe penalties.
Additionally, if you have two DUI convictions within a span of 5 years, the vehicle you were driving when you were stopped for a DUI could be seized and auctioned.
Other factors that the court may consider when deciding on the severity of the penalty include:
- Having a blood alcohol level,
- Causing an accident that results in death or injury,
- Reckless driving, and
- Previous convictions.
Having repeat DUI offenses can have long-lasting negative effects on your personal and professional lives. Don’t take a chance with going this alone; call our Nashville repeat DUI offense lawyer today.
What Should You Do if You’re Arrested for Repeat DUI Offenses?
You should prioritize getting adequate and experienced legal counsel and representation. You need an expert DUI attorney like Nash Law who understands how to check facts regarding your repeat DUI offense case and how to develop a defense strategy that can reduce the charge or have it dismissed.
Focusing on Minimizing the Impact of a Repeat DUI Offense
The focus of any defense is to minimize the impact of your charge. Sometimes, the best course of action is to start by negotiating with the prosecutor before the case goes to court. Ideally, after presenting our evidence, the prosecutor will be willing to negotiate, and we can have the case dismissed, or you receive a favorable plea bargain that does not affect your life too much.
However, in our experience, this isn’t always the case. The prosecutor may be keen on taking the case to court.
Aggressive Defense for Repeat DUI Offenses
Given the severity of repeat DUI offenses and convictions, aggressive defense is essential. As such, if the prosecutors decide to charge you in court, we will not only advocate for your rights aggressively, but we will also go above and beyond to gather evidence of any flaws in the traffic stop.
This includes investigating every aspect and circumstances of your charges, determining the validity of being stopped, and scrutinizing all aspects of the arrest to find avenues that can lead to your case being dismissed or reduced.
Call Nash Law today at 615-NASH-LAW and learn more about what we can do to help you and your repeat DUI offense case.
