DUI

If you’re facing a DUI charge, the most important decision you will make is choosing an experienced DUI defense attorney.  Patricia L. Snyder has a proven track record in court, fighting for clients wrongfully accused of driving under the influence. With over a decade of experience as a successful DUI trial attorney, she  stays abreast of current issues surrounding DUI charges and changing DUI laws that may affect her clients.

Patricia L. Snyder is committed to providing the absolute best defense possible with personal attention to YOU and the specifics of your case.

A Tennessee DUI conviction remains on your record for life, and will be used to enhance any future DUI sentences.  Patricia L. Snyder fights for her clients’ rights, and continues to be a voice for the voiceless.

No Charge for the Initial Consultation


Breath Tests and Field Sobriety Tests:

Under the US Constitution, no one is required to give evidence against themselves. Thus, when a driver agrees to take a breath test and/or agrees to perform Field Sobriety Tests (FSTs), they are voluntarily giving the State evidence to use against them. There are many reasons why a breath test may be inaccurate and can be successfully challenged in court. And Field Sobriety Tests are not ‘tests’ with right and wrong answers: they are exercises which are completely subjective, meaning the officer administering the exercises is the only one to decide whether the driver has ‘failed’ or ‘passed.’ You are not required to perform these tests and can politely decline to do so. Be courteous and non-confrontational with the arresting officer but think twice about giving evidence against yourself when you are not required by law to do so.

See below for an Alcohol Impairment Chart

Penalties*:

DUI 1st Offense:

  • Jail:

    48 hours minimum, 11 months, 29 days maximum for .08 – .19% BAC if BAC is .2% or higher, mandatory 7 days in jail).

  • Probation:

    11 months 29 days with credit for time served in jail

  • Fines:

    $350 minimum to $1,500 maximum.

  • Community Service Work (highway litter removal):

    Mandatory 24 hours.

  • Alcohol Safety School & Assessment:

    DUI school is mandatory for license reinstatement. Some counties also require a Victim Impact Panel. Assessment may be ordered.

  • Loss of Driver’s License:

    1 year; possible eligibility for a restricted license.

  • Ignition Interlock Device:

    Not mandatory but required by some judges in various jurisdictions.

  • Vehicle Forfeiture:

    Not required.

DUI 2nd Offense:

  • Jail:

    45 days mandatory minimum to 11 months, 29 days maximum. 28 days credit if defendant completes inpatient treatment for 28 days.

  • Probation:

    11 months 29 days with credit for time served in jail

  • Fines:

    $600 minimum to $3,500 maximum

  • Community Service Work (highway litter removal):

    May be court ordered.

  • Alcohol Safety School & Assessment:

    DUI school is mandatory for license reinstatement. Some counties also require a Victim Impact Panel.

  • Loss of Driver’s License:

    2 years; restricted license is not allowed the first year.

  • Ignition Interlock Device:

    Mandatory if prior DUI is within the last 5 years; most courts will order installation.

  • Vehicle Forfeiture:

    Authorized by law but not mandatory.

DUI 3rd Offense:

  • Jail:

    120 days mandatory minimum, 11 months, 29 days maximum

  • Probation:

    11 months 29 days with credit for time served in jail

  • Fines:

    $1,100 minimum to $10,000 maximum

  • Community Service Work (highway litter removal):

    May be court ordered.

  • Alcohol Safety School & Assessment:

    Alcohol Rehabilitation court ordered; mandatory drug and alcohol addiction fee of $100 for each conviction.

  • Loss of Driver’s License:

    3 to 10 years; restricted license is not allowed.

  • Ignition Interlock Device:

    Mandatory if prior DUI is within the last 5 years; most courts will order installation.

  • Vehicle Forfeiture:

    Authorized by law but not mandatory.

DUI 4th Offense: Class E Felony

  • Jail:

    150 days mandatory minimum, 6 years incarceration maximum

  • Probation:

    1 to 6 years with credit for time served in jail

  • Fines:

    $3,000 minimum to $15,000 maximum

  • Community Service Work (highway litter removal):

    May be court ordered.

  • Alcohol Safety School & Assessment:

    Alcohol Rehabilitation court ordered; mandatory drug and alcohol addiction fee of $100 for each conviction.

  • Loss of Driver’s License:

    5 years minimum; restricted license is not allowed.

  • Ignition Interlock Device:

    Mandatory if prior DUI is within the last 5 years; most courts will order installation.

  • Vehicle Forfeiture

    Authorized by law but not mandatory

*Several new DUI laws took effect July 1, 2011.

DUI RESOURCES

Alcohol Impairment Chart

This chart is intended as a guide, not a guarantee.

Alcohol affects individuals differently. Your blood alcohol level may be affected by your age, gender, physical condition, amount of food consumed and any drugs or medication. In addition, different drinks may contain different amounts of alcohol, so it’s important to know how much and the concentration of alcohol you consume.

For purposes of this guide, “one drink” is equal to 1.25 oz. of 80 proof liquor, 12 oz. of regular beer, or 5 oz. of table wine.

A woman drinking an equal amount of alcohol in the same period of time as a man of an equivalent weight may have a higher blood alcohol level than that man. Therefore, women should refer to the female “Know Your Limits” chart.

Some states have set .08% Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) as the legal limit for Driving Under the Influence. For commercial drivers, a BAC of .04% can result in a DUI conviction nationwide.

Impairment begins with your first drink.

For safety’s sake, never drive after drinking.

Men

Approximate Blood Alcohol Percentage

Drinks Body Weight in Pounds
100 120 140 160 180 200 220 240
0 .00 .00 .00 .00 .00 .00 .00 .00 Only Safe Driving Limit
1 .04 .03 .03 .02 .02 .02 .02 .02 Impairment Begins
2 .08 .06 .05 .05 .04 .04 .03 .03 Driving Skills Significantly Affected

Possible Criminal Penalties
3 .11 .09 .08 .07 .06 .06 .05 .05
4 .15 .12 .11 .09 .08 .08 .07 .06
5 .19 .16 .13 .12 .11 .09 .09 .08
6 .23 .19 .16 .14 .13 .11 .10 .09
7 .26 .22 .19 .16 .15 .13 .12 .11 Legally Intoxicated

Criminal Penalties
8 .30 .25 .21 .19 .17 .15 .14 .13
9 .34 .28 .24 .21 .19 .17 .15 .14
10 .38 .31 .27 .23 .21 .19 .17 .16
Subtract .01% for each 40 minutes of drinking.

One drink is 1.25 oz. of 80 proof liquor, 12 oz. of beer, or 5 oz. of table wine.

Women

Approximate Blood Alcohol Percentage

Drinks Body Weight in Pounds
90 100 120 140 160 180 200 220 240
0 .00 .00 .00 .00 .00 .00 .00 .00 .00 Only Safe Driving Limit
1 .05 .05 .04 .03 .03 .03 .02 .02 .02 Impairment Begins
2 .10 .09 .08 .07 .06 .05 .05 .04 .04 Driving Skills Significantly Affected

Possible Criminal Penalties
3 .15 .14 .11 .10 .09 .08 .07 .06 .06
4 .20 .18 .15 .13 .11 .10 .09 .08 .08
5 .25 .23 .19 .16 .14 .13 .11 .10 .09
6 .30 .27 .23 .19 .17 .15 .14 .12 .11 Legally Intoxicated

Criminal Penalties
7 .35 .32 .27 .23 .20 .18 .16 .14 .13
8 .40 .36 .30 .26 .23 .20 .18 .17 .15
9 .45 .41 .34 .29 .26 .23 .20 .19 .17
10 .51 .45 .38 .32 .28 .25 .23 .21 .19
Subtract .01% for each 40 minutes of drinking.

One drink is 1.25 oz. of 80 proof liquor, 12 oz. of beer, or 5 oz. of table wine.