A DUI conviction in Tennessee can have drastic effects on your life other than the loss of your driver's license. A DUI conviction presents a wide range of effects that can last a lifetime. The following is a list problem of penalties that may follow a DUI conviction.
Court Related Punishment of a Tennessee DUI conviction
1. Criminal Record- A DUI conviction in Tennessee is forever. A DUI conviction cannot be expunged from your record under Tennessee Law. It cannot be removed from your record and conviction will not go away with age. You will take it with you forever.
2. Probation- Mandatory probation will be up to 11 months and 29 days, minus any days in jail for misdemeanor offense and up to six (6) years of probation may be required for a 4th offense DUI.
3. Jail Time- Under Tennessee criminal law, DUI convictions carry mandatory jail time. A 1st offense DUI carries a mandatory 48 hours in jail. A 2nd offense DUI carries a mandatory 45 days in jail. A felony DUI conviction carries a mandatory 150 days in jail.
4. Fines- The minimum fine for a DUI 1st offense is $350 and it ranges up to $15,000 for a felony DUI.
5. Mandatory Alcohol Safety School- A mandatory alcohol safety school must be taken with all DUI convictions. If you are convicted of a multiple DUI offense the court or probation officer could order extensive outpatient treatment including the attendance of A A meetings.
6. Ignition Interlock Device- In some circumstances you will be required to install an ignition interlock device on your car.
7. Community Service- The Tennessee state legislature passed a law several years ago in which requires a person convicted of a DUI 1st offense to do 24 hours of road side garbage pick up. It is required by law.
8. License Suspension- The length of your driver's license suspension varies depending on prior DUI convictions and those dates of convictions. If you have enough DUI convictions with then a period of time then you may be declared a habitual motor vehicle offender.
9. Revocation- If convicted and you receive a restricted driver's license and you are caught driving outside the approved hours or days of the restricted license, your restricted license can be revoked and be charged with a new crime and possibly have your probation revoked.
Non-Court Related Consequences of a DUI Conviction
10. Commercial driver's license may be suspended for one (1) year or for a 2nd DUI conviction a commercial driver's license can be revoked for life.
11. If caught driving on a suspended license or a multiple DUI offense your car could be impounded and subject to civil forfeiture.
Insurance Problems
12. First, you can have increased insurance cost on auto, life, and possibly health insurance. Second, SR-22 or assigned high risk insurance policy is required for a number of years after conviction for a DUI offense.
13. SR-22 Insurance- It is required for a restricted license. This is assigned risk insurance at a higher rate for several years to maintain driving privileges once they are reinstated.
14. Life insurance companies may deny policy issuance or raise the rates.
15. New applications for individual health insurance policies could be increased or possibly denied.
Citizenship and Travel Issues
16. A DUI conviction will prohibit you from traveling to some countries, especially Canada.
17. A DUI conviction could be a reason to deny naturalization.
18. Possible deportation from United States to the country of origin if not a United States citizen.
19. Green card renewal for work permit may be denied or delayed. In Nashville, Tennessee, if an illegal alien is arrested, you will have immigration and customs enforcement hold placed on you and you will be possibly transported to deportation after your case is concluded.
Employment Issues
20. If you have a company car, the employee manual from your job may require disclosure to your employer.
For more information contact Mr. McKinney by calling 615-259-9009 or fill out the contact form on the website
Our office handles DUI cases primarily Nashville, Franklin, Brentwood, Hendersonville, Gallatin, Ashland City, Springfield, Murfreesboro, Lebanon, Mt Juliet, Smyrna, and LaVergne.
