Knoxville, Tennessee Multiple DUI Lawyer

Aggressive Defense for Second and Third DUI Charges in Knoxville, TN

Most parties who would run a background check on you may understand getting one DUI. People make mistakes, and most employers, colleges, and landlords can look past a single offense. Getting a second, third, or fourth DUI can complicate things. While a second or even third DUI in Tennessee is still usually a misdemeanor offense, repeat DUIs may suggest that you have not learned from your mistakes or that you have a substance abuse problem that you are not addressing. Courts take repeat DUIs more seriously, especially since the more often you drive drunk, the more likely you are to injure someone.

The Baker Law Firm provides legal representation for people who are facing repeat DUI charges. Attorney Lance K. Baker has been recognized by organizations like Super Lawyers and The National Trial Lawyers for his work in criminal defense. We can help fight for a not guilty verdict at trial or by negotiating a plea agreement that could greatly reduce any penalties associated with a second, third, or subsequent DUI offense.

Second and Third DUIs in Tennessee

Second and third DUI offenses are normally misdemeanor offenses, although they are still considerably more serious than first-offense DUIs. While the mandatory minimum sentence for a first DUI is only 48 hours - which many people serve before even making bail - the mandatory minimum for a second DUI is 45 days. This is quite a large jump. Courts consider DUI a dangerous crime, and while one DUI is a lapse in judgment or possibly a wake-up call for someone struggling with alcoholism, a second DUI is seen as a conscious disregard for the law and for the safety of others. While 45 days is the minimum, you could be sentenced to up to one year if your case is not handled skillfully by a criminal defense lawyer.

A third DUI is even more serious. The mandatory minimum sentence more than doubles, going from 45 days to 120 days. This is a significant amount of jail time. While many people are financially prepared to pay their housing costs and other expenses should they be unable to work for six weeks, people who must go to jail for four or more months are more likely to have to start over when they get out. There is also a risk that your vehicle could be seized or forfeited because you have used it to commit crimes.

Fourth and Subsequent DUI Offenses

Things change drastically if you are arrested for DUI for the fourth time. In these cases, you are facing a felony that carries up to six years of time in prison - and life as a felon once you get out. This means that you would likely struggle to find a job you want or housing similar to the place you lived in before. Your driver's license will be suspended for a minimum of five years, and the court may be hesitant to grant you a hardship license. If your vehicle was not seized or forfeited after your third DUI, it probably will be at this point.

Courts consider people with this many DUI offenses to be a serious risk to the public's safety. The more often a person drives drunk, the more likely he or she is to cause a serious accident. If you have already been convicted of vehicular assault, the court may take your offense even more seriously. You will need a highly skilled lawyer to represent you in court.

Contact a Knoxville, TN Multiple DUI Lawyer

The Baker Law Firm can provide criminal defense services to help you defend against multiple DUI charges. To get legal help with your case, contact us at 865-200-4117 for a complimentary consultation.