Tennessee laws governing vehicular homicide
When a person is arrested following a serious or fatal traffic accident in Tennessee, the negative consequences of a conviction can have a far-reaching impact on his or her life. If the wreck resulted in a death, the driver found at fault could face a range of punishments that are dependent upon the charge or charges
Court Approves Statute Allowing Video Hearsay Statements from Children
Generally, hearsay statements, which are extrajudicial assertions of testimonial facts, are not admissible in criminal trials in Tennessee. However, the Rules of Evidence provide specific exceptions and indicate other exceptions could apply as well. In 2009, the Tennessee Legislature passed a law specifically allowing for the admission into evidence of relevant video hearsay statements of
Tennessee man faces vehicular homicide after wreck kills son
Being charged with a DUI — especially if it is not the first time — can result in serious penalties and fines if a conviction is ultimately gained by the state. However, one Tennessee man is facing a nightmare situation since he has been charged with vehicular homicide in the death of his own son. The wreck also caused injury
Teen faces charges as an adult for vehicular homicide
Teen drivers are considered risky investments for insurance companies due to their inexperience and lack of maturity. This inexperience often causes young drivers to overestimate their ability to control their vehicles in order to avoid collisions with other cars or objects. After one tragic collision, a Tennessee teen now faces several charges, including one for vehicular homicide,
Tennessee politician has trial date for drunk driving charges
A man who has filed for a seat as an alderman in one Tennessee community is scheduled to first face a jury before the voters have a say. He was charged with a third drunk driving offense, along with possession of controlled narcotics. His trial was scheduled for late October, right before the November 4th election day. The
Blood Evidence Admissible by Implied Consent
Circumstances under which evidence from a warrantless blood draw of a person suspected of driving under the influence (DUI) have been the subject of much legal argument since the U.S. Supreme Court decision in Missouri v. McNeely (2013), finding that exigent circumstances do not always justify warrantless blood draws in DUIcases. Tennessee law mandates a blood draw under
How does one challenge a failed sobriety test effectively?
There are three tests that are generally used to attempt to gauge whether a driver may be impaired by alcohol or other substances. These three tests are the ones most widely accepted by the criminal justice system, and they are generally allowed to be submitted as evidence, though every case is different. If you have
Driver charged with drunk driving in fiery Tennesee wreck
Having a DUI conviction on one’s record can negatively impact one’s ability to drive a car or obtain desired employment. However, multiple drunk driving convictions can end in a prison sentence and significant fines. One man who was recently arrested in Tennessee, who now faces his fifth DUI charge, is likely awaiting his court date with hopes for
Court Reverses Exclusion of Confession
A confession can be important evidence in a criminal case. But a confession from the accused is only admissible if it is voluntary. A statement from the accused which a court determines has been coerced by law enforcement authorities will be excluded from evidence. In the recent Tennessee case of State v. Woods, M2014-00194-CCA-R9-CD (Tenn.Crim.App. 10-31-2014), the
Tennessee driver faces multiple charges, including drunk driving
Tennessee police recently responded to a serious traffic accident along a local highway in the early morning hours. During the investigation, they apparently suspected that the driver of one of the vehicles was intoxicated. That driver is now facing multiple charges, including one for drunk driving. The accident was purportedly caused when the 22-year-old man was