What Are the Potential Consequences of a DUI Conviction?

Driving under the influence – or DUI – is a common criminal charge that carries serious legal and social consequences. If you’re facing a DUI charge, bringing a solid defense is critical, and one of the most important steps you can take toward this end is reaching out to an experienced Nashville DUI attorney early in the process.

Driving under the Influence

In Tennessee – and most other states – DUI charges apply when a motorist gets behind the wheel with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 percent or higher. The charge can still apply, however, even with a BAC that falls below the legal limit, if your driving is deemed to have been dangerously affected by alcohol or drugs.

First-Time Offender

For a first DUI offense, you can face very serious legal consequences that include all the following:

• A jail sentence of from 48 hours to just shy of one year, which is extended to a minimum 7-day sentence for a BAC of .20 percent or higher
• Fines of from $350 to $1,500 – along with the additional costs of bail, legal fees, towing, increased insurance rates, and beyond
• A one-year license revocation, with the possibility of a restricted license
• Mandatory participation in an alcohol or drug treatment program
• Payment of restitution to anyone who suffered physical injury or personal loss as a result
• Installation of an ignition interlock device

These consequences become more serious still for a second, third, or subsequent conviction.

Enhanced Charges

There are specific circumstances that carry more serious charges and more serious penalties.

Vehicular Assault

Vehicular assault refers to causing someone else to suffer serious injury in an accident that was caused by your impairment. The charge is a Class D felony that carries 2 to 12 years behind bars and from 1 to 5 years of license revocation following sentence completion, with no possibility of a restricted license.

Child Endangerment

Child endangerment relates to driving under the influence with a passenger who is under the age of 18, and a conviction carries 2 to 12 years of jail time. If there is a child death involved, the charge is elevated from a Class D felony to a Class B felony, which carries 8 to 30 years in prison.

Aggravated Vehicular Assault

The charge of aggravated vehicular assault while driving intoxicated is a Class A felony that applies when either of the following conditions is met:

• The driver has two or more prior DUI or vehicular assault convictions on their record.
• The driver has a prior vehicular homicide conviction on their record.

Discuss Your Case with an Experienced Nashville DUI Lawyer Today

Andrew Beasley at Andrew C. Beasley, PLLC, is an accomplished Nashville DUI attorney with an impressive track record for successfully guiding challenging cases toward favorable resolutions, and he welcomes the opportunity to do the same for you. Learn more about how we can help by reaching out and contacting us online or calling us at 615-846-9889 today.