First Offense DUI in Murfreesboro

License Consequences for a First-Time DUI in Tennessee

Tennessee’s implied consent law requires any driver lawfully arrested for DUI to submit to a chemical test, either breath or blood. Refusing that test triggers an automatic license suspension of up to 18 months, separate from and in addition to any penalty tied to the DUI charge itself. That suspension can happen even if the underlying case is later dismissed. A first-offense DUI conviction carries up to a one-year license revocation. In some cases, a restricted driver’s license may be available, permitting limited driving such as commuting to work or attending school. Eligibility depends on the specific circumstances of the case.

Field Sobriety Tests: What Officers Use & What They Prove

Officers conducting a DUI stop typically use three standardized field sobriety tests: the horizontal gaze nystagmus (which tracks involuntary eye movement), the walk-and-turn, and the one-leg stand. They may also use non-standardized tests such as reciting the alphabet or counting backward.

These tests have real limits as evidence. Passing them doesn’t mean you won’t be arrested. An officer can still make a DUI arrest based on a belief that impairment exists. How a test was administered, the conditions at the roadside, and whether the officer followed proper protocol are all points worth examining.

Defenses Available in a First-Offense DUI Case

No two arrests are identical, and the right defense strategy depends on the facts. Common lines of challenge include:

• Legality of the traffic stop: Evidence gathered after an unlawful stop may be subject to suppression.
• Field sobriety test administration: Errors in how a standardized test was performed or scored can undermine its reliability.
• Chemical test procedures: Breathalyzer calibration, maintenance records, and proper testing protocols are all subject to scrutiny.
• Grounds for arrest: The officer must have had valid legal grounds to place you under arrest.
• Rising blood alcohol: BAC continues to rise after the last drink. If your BAC was below the legal limit during the stop but above it by the time of testing, a rising blood alcohol argument may apply.
• Medical conditions: Certain conditions, including diabetes and acid reflux, can cause a breathalyzer to register a false positive.

Thomas Parkerson’s prosecutorial background shapes how we approach each of these issues. Knowing how the state evaluates and presents a DUI case helps us identify where a defense may have the most traction.