Legal Powers PLLC Attorney Ben Powers discusses Tennessee DUI case after toxicology results reportedly showed no alcohol or illegal drugs
When Williamson County nurse and single mother Katie Slayton picked up her five-year-old son from daycare after a long hospital shift, she did not expect the day to end with a DUI arrest and the temporary loss of custody of her child. The case later drew significant public attention after toxicology testing reportedly showed no alcohol or illegal drugs in her system.
According to reporting on the incident, daycare staff contacted police after becoming concerned about Slayton’s behavior when she arrived to pick up her son. Although officers suspected impairment at the scene, later blood testing reportedly did not show evidence of alcohol intoxication. The case raised broader questions about field sobriety testing, officer observations, and how impairment allegations are evaluated during DUI investigations in Tennessee.
Nashville ABC affiliate WKRN interviewed Ben Powers about this case. Click here to read and watch the story on WKRN.
Can You Be Arrested for DUI Even If You Are Sober?
As surprising as it may sound, it is possible in Tennessee to be arrested and charged with driving under the influence (DUI) even if later testing shows no alcohol or illegal drugs in your system. That was the reality facing Katie Slayton, a Williamson County nurse and client of Tennessee criminal defense attorney Ben Powers.
According to reporting on the case, Slayton had just finished a grueling twelve-hour hospital shift before picking up her young son from daycare. Staff members reportedly became concerned about her behavior and contacted police because they believed she might be impaired.
When officers arrived, they began investigating the situation as a potential DUI case. Slayton later underwent blood testing that reportedly showed no alcohol intoxication. However, the case still drew widespread attention because it raised larger questions about how DUI investigations are conducted and how impairment is evaluated in real-world situations.
During his interview with WKRN, Ben Powers discussed how fatigue, stress, anxiety, medical conditions, and even legally prescribed medications can sometimes produce behaviors that officers associate with intoxication. In many DUI investigations, officers rely not only on chemical testing but also on field sobriety tests, witness statements, physical appearance, speech patterns, and other observations made during the encounter.
Cases like this also highlight an important distinction in the criminal justice system: an arrest is not the same thing as a conviction. Officers need only probable cause to arrest, while prosecutors must later prove impairment beyond a reasonable doubt in court. In disputed DUI cases, toxicology results, body camera footage, witness testimony, and other evidence can all become important as the case moves forward.
What is Driving Under the Influence?
Under Tennessee law, driving under the influence does not apply only to alcohol-related offenses. A person can face DUI charges for operating or being in “physical control” of a vehicle while impaired by alcohol, illegal drugs, prescription medications, or other substances that affect the central nervous system to the point that the person cannot safely operate a vehicle. In alcohol-related DUI cases, a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08% or higher can lead to criminal charges. Still, prosecutors may also pursue DUI allegations based on observed impairment even without a breathalyzer result above the legal limit.
A DUI conviction in Tennessee can carry serious penalties and long-term consequences. For a first or misdemeanor DUI offense, penalties may include jail time, fines, court costs, mandatory substance abuse programs, probation requirements, and a one-year driver’s license suspension. Depending on the circumstances, a court might also require the installation of an ignition interlock device or participation in alcohol and drug treatment programs.
The consequences of a DUI arrest often extend far beyond the courtroom.
Many people face:
- Damage to their professional reputation,
- Difficulty maintaining employment,
- Increased insurance costs, and
- Public embarrassment associated with an arrest record.
Those consequences can become even more significant for people working in healthcare, education, commercial driving, or other professions that require professional licenses or positions of trust.
Cases involving prescription medication can also become legally complex. Even when a medication is lawfully prescribed and taken as directed, officers may still investigate whether they believe the medication impaired the person’s ability to drive safely. During his interview with WKRN, Ben Powers discussed how DUI investigations can sometimes involve disputed questions about fatigue, stress, medical conditions, prescription medications, and whether observed behavior actually indicates impairment under Tennessee law.
In Katie Slayton’s case, later toxicology testing reportedly showed no alcohol in her system. The case drew widespread attention because it highlighted how DUI investigations can develop before laboratory results are available and how field observations made during a stressful situation can become central to a criminal investigation.
What Are Field Sobriety Tests?
Field sobriety tests are roadside exercises officers often ask drivers to perform during DUI investigations.
In Tennessee, drivers are not legally required to perform field sobriety tests, though many people do not realize they can decline them. During a DUI stop, officers often ask a driver to exit the vehicle and complete a series of physical and cognitive exercises to assess possible impairment.
The tests are designed to help officers look for signs they commonly associate with intoxication. For example, difficulty with balance, trouble following instructions, or problems maintaining coordination may indicate impairment. The three most common field sobriety tests are the Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus test, the Walk-and-Turn test, and the One-Leg Stand test.
During the Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus test, officers ask a person to follow an object, such as a pen or finger, with only their eyes, allowing the officer to observe any involuntary eye movements. The Walk-and-Turn test requires a person to follow detailed instructions while walking heel-to-toe in a straight line. The One-Leg Stand test involves balancing on one foot while counting for a designated period.
As Ben Powers discussed during his WKRN interview, field sobriety tests do not always tell the full story. Fatigue, stress, anxiety, medical conditions, poor balance, physical injuries, exhaustion, and even the pressure of a roadside encounter can affect how a person performs on these exercises. In some cases, legally prescribed medications or other non-alcohol-related factors may also influence an officer’s observations during a DUI investigation.
That broader discussion became part of the public attention surrounding the Katie Slayton case, which later received additional national coverage from outlets including Inside Edition and The Independent. The case highlighted how DUI investigations can sometimes involve disputed questions about whether observed behavior actually reflects impairment or whether other explanations may exist.
In Tennessee DUI cases, field sobriety testing is only one part of the evidence that may be considered during an investigation. Toxicology results, officer observations, witness statements, body camera footage, and other evidence may also become important as a case moves through the criminal justice system.
Frequently Asked Questions About Tennessee DUI Cases
Can You Be Arrested for DUI in Tennessee Even If You Are Sober?
Yes. In some cases, officers may make a DUI arrest based on observations they believe indicate impairment, even before toxicology testing results are available. Those investigations may involve field sobriety tests, witness statements, driving behavior, or other observations made during the encounter.
Are Field Sobriety Tests Mandatory in Tennessee?
No. Drivers in Tennessee are not legally required to perform field sobriety tests during a DUI investigation. However, many people are unaware that these tests are voluntary.
Can Prescription Medication Lead to a DUI Charge?
Potentially. Tennessee DUI laws do not apply only to alcohol. Officers may investigate whether prescription medications, controlled substances, or other substances allegedly affected a person’s ability to operate a vehicle safely.
What Evidence Is Commonly Used in Tennessee DUI Investigations?
DUI investigations may involve several different types of evidence, including officer observations, field sobriety tests, breath or blood testing, toxicology reports, witness statements, body camera footage, and dash camera video.
What Happened to Ms. Slayton?
Katie Slayton’s case ultimately drew widespread attention because later toxicology testing reportedly did not show alcohol intoxication, and the charges against her were eventually resolved in her favor. The case became part of a larger public discussion about DUI investigations, field sobriety testing, and how impairment allegations are evaluated under Tennessee law.
Throughout the case, Tennessee criminal defense attorney Ben Powers represented Slayton and provided legal analysis during media interviews discussing the broader issues raised by the investigation. In addition to his appearance with WKRN, Powers has been featured by multiple media outlets for commentary on criminal law matters and high-profile cases affecting Tennessee communities.
Legal Powers PLLC represents individuals facing DUI charges and other serious criminal allegations throughout Tennessee. The firm understands how quickly a criminal investigation can affect a person’s reputation, career, family, and future. If you are facing DUI allegations or have questions about a criminal investigation in Tennessee, contact DUI attorney Ben Powers and Legal Powers PLLC to learn more about your legal options.
Call (615) 762-8775 or fill out the online form today for a free consultation.