Law enforcement officers are incentivized to make DUI arrests in Tennessee in ways as reported by Nashville ABC affiliate WKRN.
Driving under the influence (DUI) in Tennessee is a class A Misdemeanor that, if convicted, carries mandatory minimum punishment which includes jail time, loss of driver’s license, fines, and other negative consequences.
What makes DUIs in Tennessee even more unique are the resources, such as DUI Grants, afforded officers who “specialize” in DUI investigations. DUI Grant funding pays for extra shifts which means extra money for officers who want to be DUI officers. This extra payday undoubtedly drives and motivates DUI officers in every traffic stop they decide to investigate; which also influences the officer’s perception of the traffic stop and resulting DUI investigation – from perceiving “swerving within your own driving lane” as impaired driving to justify the initial traffic stop to “the suspect had a hard time following directions” for asking the officer follow up questions as a way to paint you as being incoherent; despite the multiple, reasonable, alternative explanations that don’t support the DUI officer’s biased conclusions and don’t support charging you with a DUI in Tennessee. This type of motivation leads to biased investigations that do not seek the truth but, rather, seek DUI arrests and DUI convictions in Tennessee.
So, if you ever find yourself in the crosshairs of a DUI investigation in Tennessee remember the following tips to avoid being an officer’s next DUI payday:
- Do not answer any questions without your attorney present, “I do not want to answer any questions without my attorney.”
- Do not consent to any searches of you or your vehicle.
- Do not consent to perform any tests.
- Do not try to talk your way out of the investigation – you have the right to remain silent. Use it. Let your attorney do the talking for you at a later date.
If you have been charged or arrested for a driving offense, Driving Under the Influence, or possession of drugs, in Williamson County, Franklin, Davidson County, Nashville, Rutherford County, Murfreesboro, or the Middle Tennessee area then give Legal Powers, PLLC a call to set up a free consultation to discuss the facts of your case with a knowledgeable attorney and to see why Legal Powers, PLLC, is the attorney you want to have on your side fighting for you in court.
The information on this website is not legal advice. Visiting our website does not constitute an attorney-client relationship. The information provided above is intended to be used for informational purposes only and we hope it may assist in understanding the evaluation of your case when speaking with a Tennessee attorney.