Knoxville, Tennessee DUI Defense Lawyer

Attorney for DUI, DWI, BUI, and Related Offenses in Knoxville, Tennessee

A DUI or similar charge can cause long-lasting problems in your life. Although a DUI is usually seen as a less serious crime than, for example, burglary or assault, a drunk driving charge can interfere with your day-to-day life in ways other convictions cannot. Losing your driver's license can make it difficult to keep living your life and meeting your responsibilities. You might be able to get a hardship license that lets you drive to places you absolutely have to be, like work, school, and doctor's appointments, but having a social life or enjoying our hobbies might be a challenge.

The Baker Law Firm is known for its strong track record in DUI defense. Attorney Lance K. Baker has been recognized as a Top DUI Attorney by CityView Magazine and has worked to secure favorable outcomes for clients for over a decade. If you have been arrested for DUI or a related offense, our team is committed to defending your rights and providing you with the strongest possible defense.

DUI and DWI Lawyer

If you are an adult over 21 years old and your BAC was at least 0.08%, you will be charged with DUI. If you are between 16 and 20 years old and your BAC was at least 0.02%, you would instead be charged with DWI. Minors are presumed to be intoxicated at a lower BAC than adults over 21 years old, which puts them at a disadvantage in drunk driving cases. However, DUIs carry mandatory minimum jail sentences, which DWIs do not.

The defenses used in these cases are similar. Successfully challenging the results of a blood or breath test can take away the state's most important piece of evidence. Police officers are prone to making mistakes when administering chemical tests, such as bringing a radio into the room when using a breathalyzer or even violating your constitutional rights by forcing you to submit without a warrant.

Field sobriety tests are usually more important in DUI cases than in DWI cases. Teenagers and young adults might not be visibly impaired with a BAC of 0.02%. However, a lot of factors other than a person's BAC can influence the results of their field sobriety tests. Taking the test on a very windy day or while wearing flip-flops on a gravel surface can make you appear drunk when you are not.

DUI Charges Related to University of Tennessee Football Games

Because alcohol is often consumed at college football games or other related parties or events, police will often be on the lookout for drunk driving on game days. College students who are arrested for DUI will need to determine what steps they can take to defend against a conviction or prevent the loss of their driver's licenses. People visiting from out of state to attend Tennessee football games can work with a local attorney who will help resolve these cases correctly. The Baker Law Firm can provide the legal help needed to ensure that college students or adults will be able to address DUI charges correctly.

BUI Attorney in Knoxville

Boating under the influence can be just as serious as driving drunk. In recent years, Tennessee has cracked down on impaired boaters, leading to more BUI arrests. If you have been arrested for operating a watercraft while drunk, you must take the case seriously and work closely with an experienced criminal defense attorney.

Representation in More Serious DUI Cases

Your DUI case is more serious if you have prior DUIs or if someone was injured. While a first DUI offense only carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 48 hours in jail, a second carries a minimum of 45 days in jail. For a third DUI - which is still a misdemeanor - you can expect to serve no less than 120 days if you are convicted. A fourth DUI is a felony in Tennessee. You would serve a minimum of 150 consecutive days if convicted, but could serve much more. Repeat DUIs are taken very seriously due to the danger habitual drunk drivers pose to the public.

DUI with injury is another very serious charge. If anyone was injured due to your intoxicated driving, you could be facing substantial jail time.

Contact a Knoxville, Tennessee DUI Defense Lawyer

The Baker Law Firm will work to provide you with the best defense possible after your DUI arrest. If you have been arrested for DUI in East or Middle Tennessee, Contact us at 865-200-4117 for a complimentary consultation.