General Information
In the five upper-east Tennessee counties
where I practice law, over 3 thousand people were charged
with the crime of Driving Under the Influence (DUI) in
1999. Most of these people are good, law-abiding citizens
who simply had a few drinks with dinner and on the way
home were stopped by police for a minor traffic violation
(i.e. speeding, no lights, no turn signal). They then
were interrogated ("Have you been drinking tonight?"),
told to submit a series of field sobriety exercises (which
are voluntary), placed under arrest and given a seemingly
no-win choice of submitting or not submitting to a breath
or blood alcohol test. Then it is off to jail.
Most people are totally shocked and confused
with the experience of being arrested for DUI. Many experience
feelings of guilt and shame. Many feel that their case
is hopeless and they just want to plead guilty and "take
their medicine."
Before reaching the decision of whether
to plead guilty or defend a case, there are a few thing
anyone facing this decision should consider:
A DUI conviction is a criminal conviction
that remains on a person's criminal record forever. The
"costs" of a conviction include but are not
limited to:
1. Increased automobile
insurance costs, five years in most cases;
2. Job opportunity
implications - many employers are now denying employment
to persons with alcohol related driving convictions;
3. Restricted or
no driving privileges;
4. Facing multiple
offense sanctions if convicted again; and
5. If a college
student, disciplinary action by the school.
Placing a monetary value on the above factors
depends on each person's particular circumstances, but
suffice it to say that the decisions to defend a case
or plead guilty should only be reached after careful evaluation
of all the potential consequences of a conviction.
My business is defending citizens accused
of DUI. I will be happy to meet with you and discuss the
facts of your case at your convenience. I do not require
a "retainer" or any other fee to discuss the
case with you. All you have to do is call my office and
make an appointment.
At the appointment, I will go over the facts
of the case and advise you of all possible defenses and
the costs of a defense. An informed choice can then be
made regarding the defense of the case.
If you have any questions, please feel free
to e-mail me
or call the office toll
free at 1-888-DUI-ATTY (1-888-384-2889), and I will be happy
to speak with you.
