How Can I Get Out of a DUI in Knoxville?

 Posted on December 18, 2025 in DUI/DWI/BUI

Drunk driving is punishable by significant penalties in Tennessee. Offenders face jail time, fines, and license penalties for a conviction, which makes a strong defense important. If you or a loved one were charged with drunk driving, contact a Blount County, TN DUI defense lawyer for help.

We can evaluate the circumstances of the alleged offense, help you gather evidence, and explore your legal options. Attorney Jeffrey Coller has over a decade of experience, making him a sound choice to tackle a DUI charge.

How Do Police Tell if a Driver Is Intoxicated?

In many cases, a person suspected of DUI is pulled over because they were driving erratically. In other cases, a driver may be stopped at a checkpoint, or they may have their blood alcohol tested after getting into an accident.

Initially, this usually happens with roadside sobriety tests or breathalyzer tests. If these indicate that the driver is intoxicated, they give a police officer probable cause and the driver will usually be arrested. At the station, the driver will typically be subjected to further blood, breath, or urine testing with more accurate methods.

What Are the Penalties for DUI in Tennessee in 2026?

First, second, and third convictions for DUI are all Class A misdemeanors that can result in up to 11 months and 29 days in jail, under Section 55-10-402 of the Tennessee Code. The minimum jail time for a first conviction is set at 48 hours, along with fines of $350 to $1,500. The minimum sentence for a second conviction is 45 days in jail, plus $600 to $3,500 in fines, and the minimum for a third conviction is 120 days, plus $1,100 to $10,000 in fines.

Once you reach four or more DUIs, you can face Class E felony charges. For this offense, the law calls for 150 days to 6 years in jail and $3,000 to $15,000 in fines. Vehicular assault allows jail time of two to 12 years, and fines of up to $5,000.

DUI with a child under 18 years of age in the vehicle may also bring on a child endangerment charge, which has a 30-day minimum sentence. Vehicular homicide, a Class B felony, or aggravated vehicular homicide, a Class A felony, are even more serious crimes, and punishments will vary based on the situation.

DUI offenders will typically also be required to take substance abuse education and treatment classes. Any DUI after the first may also result in a vehicle seizure and forfeiture.

Defense Strategies for DUI Charges in Tennessee

Fortunately, getting charged with drunk driving does not mean that the defendant will automatically be convicted. All criminal defendants are innocent until proven guilty. In a DUI case, the prosecution must prove that the defendant was driving while intoxicated beyond a reasonable doubt. A skilled lawyer may cast doubt on a DUI defendant’s guilt by questioning the validity of the evidence against the defendant.

Challenging Field Sobriety Tests

Walk and turn tests, standing on one leg, and other field sobriety tests are used to test a driver for intoxication. These tests are often used as probable cause for a DUI arrest. However, medical conditions, obesity, and prescription medications can cause a person to fail these tests even if he or she is completely sober. The National Highway Safety Traffic Administration (NHTSA) instructor's guide on field sobriety tests states that these tests, on their own, are only accurate between 65 to 77 percent of the time.

Examining Breathalyzer Procedures

Breath tests at the accident scene and police station may be flawed. For example, if a breath testing device was not properly calibrated and maintained before usage, it may yield inaccurate results. Incorrect administration of the test can also lead to erroneous results.

Analyzing Blood Tests

Alcohol blood test results are harder to disprove than breath test results, but there is still a chance that blood test results may be incorrect. When samples are mishandled or improperly obtained, they could be excluded as evidence.  

Reviewing the Traffic Stop

Police must have probable cause or reasonable suspicion of illegal activity to pull someone over for a traffic stop. Probable cause is also needed to arrest someone for suspected drunk driving. If there was no legal justification for the initial traffic stop or DUI arrest, the charges could potentially be dropped.

Contact a Knox County DUI Defense Lawyer

If you or a loved one were charged with drunk driving, Jeffrey Coller, Knoxville Criminal Defense Attorney is here to help. Call 865-281-1000 for a free consultation with a Blount County, TN drunk driving defense attorney with over 10 years of experience.