How Long Does a DUI Case Usually Take to Resolve?
Given that over 12,000 motor vehicle fatalities each year are due to an alcohol-impaired driver, law enforcement is cracking down on the issue in Tennessee. The legality of your stop, whether you take a plea bargain or go to trial, and the court’s caseload will determine how long your DUI case takes to resolve. Whereas some DUI cases resolve in as little as three months, others can take up to one year or more. No matter your circumstances, our Nashville DUI attorneys are prepared to provide you with the representation you need to reduce your criminal liability.
Legality of Your Stop
The police can only stop you for suspected DUI based on articulable facts, such as swerving between traffic, erratic braking, or if you break any traffic laws. If reasonable suspicion doesn’t exist, you can challenge the legality of the traffic stop. If the traffic stop was illegal, then any information that was collected must be discarded. This would include blood alcohol content (BAC) and field sobriety test results. A Nashville DUI lawyer will file a motion to suppress, asking the court to throw out this evidence. Under Tennessee law, motions to suppress in criminal cases must be made prior to trial.
Taking a Plea Bargain vs. Going to Trial
State prosecutors have neither the time nor the energy to go to court, offering plea bargains to defendants as an incentive to quickly resolve a DUI case. Even if you take a plea, your case may still take several months for the court to conduct sentencing. Going to trial takes significantly longer, with pre-trial stages, such as discovery, drawing the case out. In a criminal case, discovery is the phase during which the defense can request certain information from the prosecution. Rule 16 of the Tennessee Rules of Criminal Procedure stipulates which evidence must be disclosed by the State. Of course, the amount of discovery will be a major factor in how long legal proceedings will last.
The Court Docket
COVID-19 caused many courts to experience a case backlog, with court proceedings being suspended and courthouses operating on reduced schedules. Although the Sixth Amendment guarantees a right to a public and speedy trial, court delays sometimes make it nearly impossible for your case to be resolved quickly. Nonetheless, if a jury trial does give you the best chance of being acquitted, then our legal team will take proactive steps to ensure that your case is tried as soon as possible.
A Convincing Defense Makes All the Difference
Understandably, you want your DUI case to resolve as quickly as possible. But having a convincing defense will ensure that you serve as little time as possible in jail. At Andrew C. Beasley, PLLC, our DUI attorneys will examine the breadth of evidence in your case to determine which defense gives you the best possible outcome. If our defense strategy means that discovery is extended, we believe this is worth it in exchange for your freedom.
Speak With Our Nashville DUI Attorneys Today
Not knowing what the future holds can be panicking, especially when you were barely over the legal limit. At Andrew C. Beasley, PLLC, our Nashville DUI lawyers are prepared to advocate on your behalf, no matter how challenging your circumstances may be. To schedule a free consultation to meet with an attorney, our office can be reached online or by calling (615) 846-9889 today.