The state of Tennessee believes that drunk driving is no laughing matter. Information says in the year 2003, all of the motor vehicle accidents that occurred in the state that resulted in death were due to drinking and driving. So when you choose to drive under the influence of alcohol, you are putting in jeopardy not only your own life but also those of the people around you. Because of the serious consequences that can occur, the state of Tennessee created laws addressing DUI and DWI related crimes. Unfortunately, though, many people find themselves ensnared in predicaments created by these laws, and if you are in that situation, consult a Tennessee DWI/DUI lawyer today.

When you talk about a DUI or a DWI arrest, this usually means that you were stopped by police officers on the road for suspicion of driving while under the influence of alcohol or any other intoxicating substance. A DUI or a DWI conviction will give you the kind of penalties and fines that would not have been yours were you cleared of the DUI charge. This kind of a conviction will follow you around for the rest of your life, and no matter how small an infraction you make, the fines and penalties will often be based on the fact that you were convicted of a DUI.

For your first offense on a DUI or DWI charge, expect to spend at least forty-eight hours in jail. You will have to pay up to fifteen hundred dollars in fines, and you will lose your license for up to one year. Subsequent offenses are far more serious, and should you refuse to undergo chemical testing, you automatically lose your license for one year.

Should you find yourself in a predicament where you are arrested because of suspicion of driving under the influence or while intoxicated, you should get in touch with a Tennessee DWI or DUI lawyer as soon as you can. When you look for a Tennessee DUI or DWI lawyer that can help you with your DUI case, you will need to see if he or she, or the firm they belong to, has a positive DUI case background. You will need to see if the firm is solid enough to win your case by checking out the past cases they have tried and what defenses they used to win their DUI and DWI cases. Be sure, also, that you can afford your attorney. Ask about both retainer and long term fees. After you have assured yourself that the Tennessee DUI lawyer you are going to trust with your case is indeed the best you can find, you will need to recount the events of the arrest and the situation as to why you got arrested in the first place to your lawyers.