Knoxville, Tennessee DWI Attorney

Aggressive DWI Defense Lawyer Protecting Clients in Knoxville, TN

In Tennessee, the term "driving under the influence" is used when an adult who is at least 21 years old - and able to drink legally - is charged with driving while drunk. When the person accused of drunk driving is between the ages of 16 and 20 years old, the offense is called "driving while intoxicated." You could be convicted of a DWI if your BAC was at least 0.02%, which is much lower than the threshold for DUI offenses. Your case could be handled in juvenile court or adult court depending on your age and the circumstances surrounding the offense. A DWI can be very serious, especially for college students and high school students who are applying for college. At this age, a drunk driving charge can be very damaging.

The team at The Baker Law Firm is experienced in helping young people who have been accused of driving while intoxicated. One mistake does not have to ruin your life. There are many ways we can help you fight back after a DWI arrest.

Defenses to DWI Charges

Whether you are 16 years old or 20 years old, you have rights when you are accused of a crime. One of these rights is to have a lawyer represent you during your defense. A few of the defenses you might be able to use include:

• Problems with field sobriety tests - A lot of different factors can interfere with the results of a field sobriety test. Young people are more prone to panicking and exhibiting a "freeze" response when pulled over and asked to step out of the car. You may have been accused of refusing testing when you were simply too overwhelmed to comply, or you may have been too anxious to follow instructions perfectly.
• Inaccurate blood or breath tests - Because the threshold for DWI is so low, having a blood or breath test that is even slightly wrong can make you look guilty when you are not. A lot of "nonalcoholic" beverages and even foods contain low levels of alcohol. Wine and beer are common ingredients in many recipes, and the alcohol may not cook off as easily as most people think. The extremely low BAC that might result combined with a slight error in testing can be enough to cause test results that exceed the 0.02% limit for drivers under 21 years old. If your lawyer can show that there was any error in chemical testing, that evidence may be challenged.
• Involuntary intoxication - If you did not voluntarily consume alcohol or other drugs, you cannot be held responsible for driving under the influence. High school students and young adults have been known to "spike" beverages with alcohol without the knowledge of the person who is going to drink them, or they may add THC into food without telling anyone, thinking it will be funny. This is often done as a "prank" at parties. Young people may also have trouble telling a soft drink from an alcoholic beverage. Many alcoholic beverages that come in cans are designed to look and taste like soda, lemonade, or iced tea. If your lawyer can show that you did not drink alcohol on purpose, you may have a defense against DWI charges.

While DWI does not carry jail time in Tennessee, it can still interfere with your life in other ways. You should be represented by a skilled criminal defense lawyer who will look at the big picture when defending you.

Contact a Knoxville, Tennessee DWI Lawyer

The Baker Law Firm can help you fight back if you are facing DWI charges. To get legal help with your case contact us at 865-200-4117 for a complimentary consultation.