Year: 2015
The magic numbers of DUI
Many police officers are very professional and work hard to perform their job well. But, in the real world, some are better than others. When a driver is stopped in Chattanooga on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol, the officer can carefully note the condition of the driver, their behavior, their competency in
The standard, after all, is reasonable doubt
When the police arrest a driver and charge them with a DUI, the unstated premise that many people accept is that they must be guilty. After all, they were arrested and the police would not arrest someone who is not guilty? Right? Sadly, this is not always the case. Sometimes the police make mistakes. Sometimes
The danger of exceptions to the Fourth Amendment
The Fourth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution is clear. It states that the people have a right to be “secure” from unreasonable searches and seizures. It says this right “shall not be violated.” The word “shall” is important. Shall in English is known as an “imperative,” and in law, anytime shall is used, it means
Twice daily breath tests help drivers remain sober
Different states have tried differing methods of dealing with drunk driving. Tennessee, like many states, relies on incarceration and fines as a primary means of deterring drunk driving. This system has been modestly effective at deterring some people from intoxicated driving, but it has its limits. As headlines that tout some drivers’ multiple arrests make clear, throwing
Police officer acquitted on DUI charges
Some DUI incidents are unusual. Such a case occurred last winter in Kingsport, Tennessee, when one of the city’s police officers was involved in some type of “incident,” which apparently involved his vehicle crashing into other vehicles or objects such as guardrails or other fixed objects. Because the crash occurred within the city limits, the
A Tennessee DUI charge has both criminal and civil elements
The consequences of a DUI can be far reaching. For many people, being pulled over by the Tennessee Highway Patrol trooper or a Chattanooga Police officer is frightening. Suddenly it is not TV or a movie, and you sitting on the side of the road with the intense flashing lights in your mirrors, surreally illuminating
Mere technicalities? Which rules are important?
A few months ago, we mentioned the problem that had become known in a Tennessee county regarding late night DUI arrests. It seems that the county had long processed arrest warrants that occurred after-hours by using a notary. The problem is the notary was typically an employee of either the county sheriff’s office or the
DUI enforcement increases for Labor Day Holiday
In August, you can feel the change in seasons coming. With school back in session in Chattanooga, and the slight cooling in the daily temps, you know summer is winding down and fall is just around the corner. But first comes the Labor Day weekend, which is viewed by many as the unofficial end of
Impaired driving in Tennessee includes prescription drugs
DUI cases in Tennessee typically involve allegations of drunken driving resulting from drinking too much alcohol. In our culture, that is all too easy to do, what with widespread availability of alcohol in stores, restaurants, sporting facilities or bars. No matter if it is a bunch of teens engaging in illegal underage drinking on some
Some common (and uncommon) DUI defense strategies
Anyone who has a DUI on their record will tell you that it isn’t the literal penalties associated with the charge that are necessarily the worst part (though they are still pretty bad). It is the indirect consequences of the charge that often do the most damage to an individual. Their insurance rates skyrocket; they