Dickson DUI Defense Lawyer

DUI Defense - Done Differently. Done Right.

Our DUI lawyers in Dickson are not only lawyers. They are all trained Field Sobriety Instructors and are also all trained in blood alcohol / drug testing and analysis using the same equipment as the TBI Crime Lab. Most attorneys handling DUI cases do not understand the field sobriety tests and fewer attorneys understand the science behind the blood testing. They "hope" they can find an obvious mistake made by the police.

Our team of Dickson DUI lawyers is lead by two warriors in DUI defense. As a former scientist and a former engineer, our lead DUI defense lawyers know where to look for evidence to defend your DUI charge. Unlike most other DUI lawyers, our DUI defense lawyers know how to use the prosecutions evidence to help YOU!

Former scientist (Laura Waynick, representing only female clients) and former engineer (Rodger Waynick, representing male clients), both now top-rated DUI defense lawyers, combine their scientist and engineering skills with their training as SFST Instructors under NHTSA (Standarized Field Sobriety Test under National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration) and training in Gas Chromatography (GC) to defend your DUI charge. "We do things differently. It takes a lot of training and a lot of work, but we do it the right way." - Rodger Waynick

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Facing a DUI charge Dickson is a serious and life-altering event that demands immediate and skilled legal representation. A conviction can lead to severe penalties, including lengthy prison sentences, substantial fines, and the loss of your driving privileges. Stop listening to others who say you can't win a DUI case and you should just plea guilty. Obviously, those people didn't know there were lawyers out there who understand the science behind blood testing and who know how to fight against poor evidence handing and processing.

The experienced Dickson DUI lawyers at Waynick Law understand the complexities of DUI law and are equipped to challenge the evidence against you, scrutinize the legality of your arrest, and fight to protect your rights. With your future at stake, don't listen to people giving you uninformed advice. Call us for a FREE CONSULTATION to discuss your case and how Waynick Law fights to win.

Rodger Waynick Attorney

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What does driving while intoxicated mean in Tennessee?

In Tennessee, "driving while intoxicated" (DWI) is commonly referred to as driving under the influence (DUI). It means operating a motor vehicle while impaired by alcohol, drugs, or any other substance that affects your ability to drive safely.

In Tennessee, you are considered legally intoxicated and can be charged with a DUI if:

  • Blood alcohol concentration (BAC): Your BAC is 0.08% or higher if you are 21 or older. For commercial drivers, the limit is 0.04%, and for drivers under 21, any detectable amount (0.02% or higher) can result in charges.
  • Impairment due to drugs or alcohol: Even if your BAC is below the legal limit, you can still be charged with a DUI if law enforcement determines that your ability to drive is impaired by alcohol, prescription medications, illegal drugs, or even over-the-counter substances.
  • Combination of substances: Driving while under the influence of a combination of alcohol and drugs, which together impair your ability to drive safely, can also result in a DUI charge.

Tennessee takes DUI offenses seriously, with penalties increasing for higher BAC levels, repeat offenses, and if there are aggravating factors such as causing injury or death while driving under the influence.

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When is a DUI a felony in Tennessee?

A DUI can be classified as a felony under certain circumstances. The criteria for a felony DUI generally include:

  • Fourth or subsequent DUI offense: If you are convicted of DUI for the fourth time or more, the offense is classified as a felony. This applies regardless of how long ago the previous offenses occurred.
  • DUI with aggravating factors:
    • Serious injury or death: If your DUI results in serious bodily injury or death to another person, the charge can be elevated to a felony. This is often referred to as "vehicular assault" or "vehicular homicide" if someone dies as a result.
    • Child endangerment: If you are driving under the influence with a minor (under 18 years old) in the vehicle, and the situation involves significant risk or harm, you may face felony charges.
  • Driving on a suspended license: If your driver's license was previously suspended or revoked due to DUI-related offenses, and you are caught driving under the influence again, you could face felony charges.

Felony DUIs carry more severe penalties compared to misdemeanor DUIs, including longer prison sentences, higher fines, and more stringent conditions for license reinstatement. If you are facing felony DUI charges, it is crucial to seek the assistance of an experienced Dickson DUI lawyer to navigate the complexities of the legal system and work towards the best possible outcome.

What are the potential penalties for felony DUI in Dickson?

The penalties for a felony DUI can be severe and vary depending on the specifics of your case, including the number of prior offenses, the presence of aggravating factors, and whether any injuries or fatalities occurred. Here are the potential penalties:

Imprisonment

  • Fourth or subsequent offense: A felony DUI charge typically results in a mandatory minimum sentence of one year in prison, which can extend up to 15 years, depending on the circumstances.
  • Aggravated cases (e.g., serious injury or death): For cases involving serious injury or death, prison sentences can be significantly longer, often ranging from three to 25 years, depending on the severity of the injury or the level of negligence involved.

Fines

  • General range: Fines for a felony DUI can range from $3,000 to $15,000. The exact amount may vary based on the specifics of the offense and any associated charges, such as causing injury or death.
  • Additional costs: You may also be required to pay restitution to victims for medical expenses, property damage, or other losses resulting from the DUI.

License suspension or revocation

  • Long-term suspension: Felony DUI convictions often result in lengthy license suspensions or revocations, which can last for several years. In some cases, you may face permanent revocation of your driving privileges, especially for multiple offenses or severe cases.
  • Reinstatement conditions: If eligible for reinstatement, you may need to complete a lengthy process, including alcohol or drug treatment programs, and meet other conditions set by the court.

Probation or parole

  • Probation: In some cases, especially for less severe felonies, you may be placed on probation instead of serving a full prison sentence. However, this will come with strict conditions, such as regular check-ins with a probation officer, mandatory drug testing, and continued counseling or treatment.
  • Parole: If you serve a portion of your sentence in prison, you may be eligible for parole, but this will also come with conditions and regular monitoring.

Additional consequences

  • Criminal record: A felony DUI conviction results in a permanent criminal record, which can impact employment opportunities, housing, and other aspects of life.
  • Loss of rights: A felony conviction can lead to the loss of certain rights, such as the right to possess firearms.

Due to the severe nature of felony DUI penalties, you need to seek the assistance of an experienced criminal defense attorney who can help you navigate the legal process, challenge evidence, and work towards mitigating the consequences of the charges. Talk to the legal team at Waynick Law today to find out how we can fight for your rights.

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What are the three standard field sobriety tests?

The three standard field sobriety tests (SFSTs) used by law enforcement to assess a driver's impairment are:

  1. Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus (HGN) test: This test evaluates the involuntary jerking of the eyes as the eyes gaze to the side. This is most often tested by following a moving object, typically a pen or tip of the finger.
  2. Walk-and-Turn test: This divided-attention test requires the driver to walk heel-to-toe in a straight line for nine steps, turn on one foot, and walk back in the same manner.
  3. One-Leg Stand test: This test requires the driver to stand on one leg while raising the other foot off the ground and counting aloud until instructed to put the foot down.

These tests are designed to evaluate a driver's physical and cognitive ability to perform tasks while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Being given proper instructions by the officers administering the field sobriety tests is crucial. This is often an area where our DUI defense lawyers, who are all Instructors in field sobriety, are able to find mistakes that help our client's case.

How can your Dickson DUI defense attorney help with my case?

At Waynick Law, our Dickson DUI defense lawyers can provide the best legal defense by leveraging their skills and resources to challenge the prosecution and protect your rights. Here’s how we can help:

  • Case evaluation and strategy: Your lawyer will thoroughly review the details of your case, including police reports, evidence, and any potential legal issues. They will develop a tailored defense strategy based on the specific facts of your case. Every case is different, but one thing is the same. In every case, we start on day one preparing your case for trial.
  • Challenge evidence: Having a former scientist and a former engineer who are trained in forensic blood alcohol / drug testing allows our team to scrutinize the evidence against you. Our field sobriety instructors will carefully analyze the field sobriety tests and police procedures. We look for mishandling of evidence, improper procedures, or violations of your rights. Then, use our experience undermine the prosecution’s case.
  • Investigate the circumstances: Your legal team will investigate the scene and circumstances surrounding your arrest. This can lead to evidence being suppressed or charges being reduced.
  • Plea deals: It is our policy to not push plea deals on our clients. We take every case expecting it to go to trial. If our client's case is really bad, we tell them the truth. If our client wants a plea deal, we will work hard to negotiate the best plea deal possible for our client. However, whether to take a plea deal or not is up to our client. We do NOT push plea deals on our client.
  • Prepare for trial: We start on day one preparing your case for trial. When your freedom in on the line, the last thing you want is for your lawyer to be playing catch-up. Don't hire a lawyer who waits too late to start preparing for trial.
  • Protect your rights: You have rights throughout the arrest and court process. It is our job to inform you of those rights and protect those rights. Investigators and prosecutors may try to bully you. As your lawyer, we act as a shield to protect you from the government and prevent any violations of your rights.
  • Navigate legal procedures: DUI cases involve complex legal procedures and requirements. Our experienced DUI defense team will guide you through these procedures. We will let you know what to expect at court and keep you informed of the progress of your case. You're not in this alone. We are here to walk thru this with you.

Do you have a Dickson DUI defense lawyer near me?

Waynick Law serves clients out of its office at 504 E. College Street, Dickson, TN 37055. We also have an office in Nashville. If you are unable to come to our offices, we can make arrangements to meet using video conferencing or at another location.

Experienced team of DUI defense lawyers in Dickson

Don't let a DUI charge jeopardize your job or your freedom—take control now. Contact the skilled Dickson defense lawyer at Waynick Law, who will aggressively fight to protect your rights, challenge every piece of evidence, and work tirelessly to secure the best possible outcome for your case. To schedule a meeting with an experienced DUI defense lawyer, simply call one of our offices or fill out our contact form.