Tuesday, February 17, 2009

A Knoxville DUI Attorney Is Your Only Defense!

By Mike J Ross

Just as in other states, the Tennessee law for driving under the influence carries serious penalties. If you have been charged with a DUI in Tennessee, the first step to take is to find a great Knoxville DUI attorney.

In the state of Tennessee a person is legally intoxicated if their blood alcohol content is at .08% or higher. According to the law, even if there is no evidence of impairment, this is enough to convict. But there are ways to avoid conviction and preserve your rights. Talk to a Knoxville DUI attorney to learn more.

The officer's opinion carries a lot of weight in a DUI case. If the arresting officer testifies that you appeared intoxicated based on your actions, it can lead to a conviction. This is true even in cases where a sobriety test is refused by the accused.

This is a rare instance where an opinion can lead to a conviction. But with the right Knoxville DUI attorney, you can successfully cast doubt on the officer's opinion and often secure an acquittal.

If it's the first offense and no one was injured, a DUI charge can lead to a misdemeanor. But each conviction makes it more serious. After four convictions the charge is raised to a class E felony.

Your Knoxville DUI attorney can inform you of the severity of your case, allow you to assist in the decisions of how you want it handled, and guide you through the process of all the legal terminology. There is a minimum requirement of 48 hours in jail for a first offense, but the maximum is a year. If at the time you were charged your alcohol blood content was .20% or higher you will be facing a minimum of 7 days in jail. It is imperative to speak with a Knoxville DUI attorney to save yourself some hefty fines and maximum jail time.

Jail time is only part of the sentencing. There is a minimum fine of $350. Your license will also be revoked for 1 year. In many courts you'll be required to attend DUI education and also participate in AA. However, working with an experience Knoxville DUI attorney can drastically reduce these punishments or even secure an acquittal.

It's imperative to let a qualified Knoxville DUI attorney work for you. Whether it's your first offense or a repeat offense, you need help. Trying to go it alone or working with an inexperienced attorney can be a recipe for disaster.

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