Month: June 2013
Felony DUI for prescription drug abuse a Tennessee problem
Tennessee authorities say that a recent traffic stop in Henderson County underscores some of the problems that law enforcement are targeting on our roadways. The apparent prevalence of prescription drugs has been an issue of some concern to police throughout our state. Indeed, as many as three quarters of all driving under the influence arrests
Prior Testimony Generally Admissible on Retrial
A criminal defendant’s prior testimony about a particular incident is generally admissible in a retrial of the same case, even if the defendant elects not to testify on retrial. Certainly the original statement is a prior statement of the accused, not coerced or improperly obtained, as it was offered in court after being advised of
Repeat drunk driving offender causes fatal accident in Tennessee
Loss of life in any car accident is devastating. However, that devastation is made all the more apparent when the accident comes as a result of a temporary lapse in judgment made by another driver. Recently, an 89-year-old man lost his life on a Tennessee roadway, allegedly due to one woman’s drunk driving. According to the
Theft of Used iPad Reduced to Misdemeanor
The offense of theft of property in Tennessee is graded based on the value of the stolen property. Stealing property valued at under $500 is a class A misdemeanor. Theft of property valued at $500 or more is a felony, with classifications from E ($500 to under $1,000), to D ($1,000 to under $10,000), to C ($10,000
New Tennessee law targets drunk driving first offenders
The law concerning first time DUI offenders in Tennessee has changed. The newly enacted law is effective on the first day of July. Going forward, those convicted of drunk driving for the first time are required by law to use an ignition interlock device on their vehicles. Mothers Against Drunk Driving, a nationally recognized organization, says that
Determination of Implied Consent Violation Permissible on Remand
Tennessee’s implied consent law requires drivers to consent to a blood test to determine alcoholic content of the blood if requested to do so by a police officer who has reasonable grounds to believe the person was driving under the influence of an intoxicant. Unless the person’s driver’s license is already revoked for a DUI conviction
Woman charged in connection to alleged DUI crash in Tennessee
Being accused of intoxicated driving can lead to a person facing DUI charges. Additional charges can be brought against a person if they are accused of having caused an accident that caused injuries or property damage during their alleged intoxicated driving. A person can be given serious punishments if he or she is convicted of
Probable Cause Established by Observation of Speeding
There must be probable cause or reasonable suspicion for a police officer to initiate an investigatory stop of a vehicle. Absent a warrant for a search or arrest, there must be some basis known to the officer for believing an occupant of a vehicle may have committed or may be about to commit a crime,