The implied consent laws are applicable in the state of Tennessee also, which means a person may have to face certain Tennessee drunk driving penalties not only when he/she gets convicted under dui charges by the court but also when he/she refuses to take the test at the time of dui stop. The additional mandatory penalties that such a refusal attracts include one year of license suspension for first time refusal and two years of license revocation for second time refusal.
First Dui Conviction In Tennessee
The court awards the following Tennessee drunk driving penalties when someone gets convicted under dui charges for the first time.
- Some possible penalties that are not mandatory but are very much likely may include completing a specific Alcohol Safety DUI School Program, additional Child Endangerment Penalties (in case the convict was driving while an under-18 child was in the vehicle), and the task of litter pickup for eight hours daily for at least three days.
- The driving license is seized for a period of twelve months.
- Once the suspension period is over, you may have to meet certain requirements (such as ignition interlock device) if the charges include refusal to field sobriety test, drunk driving while an under-18 child in the vehicle, and driving with a BAC level of more than 0.15.
- You will have to pay at least $350 and up to $1500 as monetary fine
- There is also a provision of eleven months in jail imprisonment; minimum forty-eight hours of jail term is mandatory
Second Dui Conviction In Tennessee
A second conviction attracts more severe Tennessee drunk driving penalties.
- You face license suspension for a period of twenty-four months. An addition six months of suspension may also be awarded to you if the second conviction occurs within five years of the previous one.
- Ignition interlock device will again be required to get your license reinstated once the suspension period is over, especially if you had refused for the BAC test, the BAC level was more than 0.15, and you were driving with an under-18 child in vehicle.
- Minimum $600 of monetary fine is mandatory; the maximum fine can be as high as $3500
- 45 days to 365 days in jail
- Other possible (not mandatory) penalties may include attending a alcohol/drug assessment and treatment program, a 3-day task of picking up litters (in 8 hour shift per day), additional child endangerment penalties (if under-18 child in fictile), and forfeiture or seizure of vehicle.
Third Dui Conviction In Tennessee
The level of Tennessee drunk driving penalties further increases with a third time conviction.
- Your driving license this time will be suspended for a period of three to ten years; ignition interlock device will be required for license reinstatement
- Monetary fine can be up to $10000; minimum $1100 is mandatory
- Up to twelve months in jail; minimum four months of jail term are mandatory
- Other possible penalties remain the same as in the second conviction (see above).
Fourth Dui Conviction In Tennessee
The most severe Tennessee drunk driving penalties are awarded for a fourth time or subsequent conviction.
- You are likely to face a permanent license suspension; at least five years of suspension is mandatory
- Monetary fine can be up to $15000; at least $3000 is mandatory
- The jail term may be equivalent to the jail imprisonment offered for a class E felony offence; minimum five months of jail term is mandatory
- There can be several additional penalties as well, which are not mandatory but are very much likely, such as Child Endangerment Penalties, Alcohol Safety DUI School Program, drug assessment and treatment program, litter pickup, and vehicle forfeiture.
It is important to keep in mind that every dui case is a different one and the exact details of penalties may vary. Therefore, you are advised to consult an experienced Tennessee dui attorney for more detailed information on what kind of Tennessee drunk driving penalties might be applicable in your specific case.