Experienced Murfreesboro Commercial DUI Defense Team
Commercial DUI charges can have long-lasting consequences
Due to the significantly greater weight and power behind a commercial vehicle, truck accidents tend to be much graver than other accidents, potentially resulting in serious injuries and death. Due to this possibility, lawmakers across the country and in Tennessee have enacted laws meant to prevent the number of commercial truck accidents. This includes stricter standards for commercial drivers regarding DUI and harsher penalties.
The experienced Murfreesboro criminal defense team at Taylor Law Group handles DUI cases involving commercial drivers. Our attorneys protect your rights and fight diligently to minimize the impact a DUI arrest has on your life and your career.
Standards are stricter for commercial drivers
While many people are aware of the standard legal blood alcohol content limit of 0.08%, they may be surprised that commercial drivers must abide by a different standard. A commercial driver can be found guilty of DUI if he or she has a BAC of 0.04% or higher, half of the standard used for non-commercial drivers.
For the prosecution to secure a conviction for DUI in a Commercial Motor Vehicle, the prosecution must establish the following elements:
- The commercial driver was in physical control of a commercial motor vehicle
- At the time of arrest, the commercial driver was operating the motor vehicle on a public road, highway, parking lot, alley or other roadway used by the public
- At the time of the operation, the commercial driver was under the influence of alcohol or drugs or had a blood alcohol content of at least 0.04%.
Commercial drivers face serious consequences
Commercial truck drivers face serious consequences if convicted of DUI, including the following:
- Mandatory jail time of at least 48 hours, up to 11 months and 29 days of imprisonment
- Restitution if property damage or injury was caused
- Participation in an alcohol and drug treatment program
- Installation of an ignition interlock device
- Fines
Additionally, the commercial driver may have to pay for DUI school, license reinstatement fees, bail and other expenses. Being convicted of a DUI can easily result in a commercial driver losing his or her job. A conviction results in a revocation of the driver's CMV license for one year. Additionally, the driver is prohibited from obtaining a restricted driver's license like he or she may be able to with a non-commercial driver's DUI conviction. A second conviction of DUI results in a lifetime revocation of a CMV, regardless of how long ago the first conviction occurred. These revocation standards apply even if the commercial driver committed the DUI while in a non-commercial motor vehicle.
If you are a commercial driver facing a DUI charge, contact our skilled Murfreesboro DUI defense team for a confidential consultation
If you are a commercial driver who has been charged with DUI, it is critical to understand the potential consequences that you are facing and your legal rights. The skilled Murfreesboro DUI defense team at Taylor Law Group is knowledgeable about Tennessee law and understand how important clearing your name is to your financial future. Our skilled team has years of legal experience. We carefully analyze the circumstances of your case and determine potential defenses. Contact us online or call us at (615) 890-1982 to schedule a confidential consultation to talk about your case with an experienced criminal defense lawyer.