DUI Lawyer in Lebanon, TN for Your License and Your Future
We defend DUI charges in Lebanon and across Wilson County, with Chris Reynolds personally reviewing your stop, your testing and your license options so one arrest doesn't decide your job and your driving record.
Charged With a DUI and Not Sure What Happens Next?
A DUI arrest puts your license, your job and your record on the line all at once, and it's normal to have more questions than answers. As a DUI attorney in Wilson County, TN, we defend DUI charges in Lebanon and across the county, and our second office in Lafayette serves drivers charged in Macon County. DUI defense is a core part of our criminal defense practice, and Chris Reynolds is the lawyer you talk to from the first call.
When you call us, here is what you can count on:
- Chris Reynolds handles your case himself instead of handing it off to someone you've never met.
- We explain the charge, the penalties and what happens next in plain language.
- We appear regularly in the Wilson, Macon and Trousdale county courts.
- We offer flexible payment options and payment plans.
- Our in-house Spanish interpreter works with Spanish-speaking drivers at every step. Se habla español.
What a First DUI Can Mean in Tennessee
Tennessee sets mandatory penalties for a DUI conviction, even on a first offense. A first-offense conviction carries:
At least 48 hours in jail, or at least 7 days with a blood alcohol content of .20 or higher, and up to 11 months and 29 days.
A fine of $350 to $1,500.
A one-year revocation of your driver's license.
Required alcohol safety education.
Penalties step up for a second and third offense, and a fourth DUI is a felony. Prior DUI convictions count toward those enhanced penalties, so the way a first charge is resolved matters well beyond this case. A DUI involving a crash with serious injuries can also bring far more serious charges, including vehicular homicide when someone is killed.
Can You Keep Driving After a DUI in Tennessee?
For most people, the first question after an arrest is whether they can still drive to work. The answer depends on two separate things: what happened at the arrest, and what happens if the case ends in a conviction.
At the Time of Arrest
If you refused a breath or blood test, Tennessee's implied consent law brings its own license suspension, one year for a first refusal. That suspension is separate from the DUI charge and moves on its own track, so it needs attention from the start.
After a Conviction
A first-offense DUI conviction brings a one-year license revocation. During that year, most first-offense drivers can apply for a restricted license that allows driving to:
- Work
- School
- Court-ordered programs, such as alcohol safety education
In most cases, a restricted license after a DUI in Tennessee requires an ignition interlock device on the vehicle you drive. We walk you through what the application takes from your first call, so you know where you stand before your first court date.
Is a DUI Lawyer Worth It for a First Offense?
A DUI conviction in Tennessee cannot be expunged. It stays on your driving record, counts toward the penalties if you are ever charged again, and can follow you into job applications, insurance rates and commercial driving. That is why we take a close look at your case before anyone decides how to plead.
As your Tennessee DUI defense attorney, we review:
The Reason for the Stop
We look at why the officer pulled you over and whether the stop was lawful, because a stop without proper grounds can affect the evidence that follows.
Field Sobriety Tests
We review how the field sobriety tests were given and recorded, including the conditions you were tested in.
Breath and Blood Test Procedures
We check whether the breath or blood test followed the required procedures, from timing and equipment to how the sample was handled.
Whether the Charge Can Be Reduced
Where the facts support it, we work toward a reduced charge, and we tell you plainly what each option means for your record and your license.
Every case turns on its own facts, so no one can promise a result. What we can give you is a clear understanding of your case before you make any decision about it.
Your DUI Attorney in Wilson County, TN and Nearby Counties
Most Wilson County DUI cases begin in Wilson County General Sessions Court in Lebanon, where our main office is. Chris Reynolds regularly appears in the Wilson, Macon and Trousdale county courts, which are part of the 15th Judicial District along with Smith County.
We defend DUI charges for drivers from these communities:
- Lebanon and Mt. Juliet in Wilson County
- Lafayette in Macon County
- Hartsville in Trousdale County
- Carthage in Smith County
Drivers charged in Macon County can meet with us at
our Lafayette office at 619 State Rte 52, without the drive to Lebanon.
What to Expect When You Start Your DUI Defense
From the first call, you work directly with Chris Reynolds, and we explain each step in plain language before it happens.
1. Talk Through Your Arrest
Call (615) 873-0251 or schedule a consultation, and we'll go over what happened during the stop, the testing and the arrest.
2. Understand Your Risks
We explain the possible penalties, your license options and the factors most likely to matter in your case.
3. Build a Defense Strategy
We review the evidence and settle on an approach that fits the facts, your situation and your goals.
4. Stand With You in Court
Chris Reynolds handles your court dates, negotiations and preparation himself, so the attorney in the courtroom is the one who knows your case.
Common Questions About DUI Charges in Tennessee
How much does a DUI lawyer cost in Tennessee?
The cost of a DUI lawyer in Tennessee depends on whether it is a first offense, whether there was a test refusal or an accident, and whether the case is resolved in General Sessions Court or goes to trial. We go over fees at your consultation so you know where you stand before you commit. We also offer flexible payment options and payment plans.
Is it worth getting a lawyer for a first DUI in Tennessee?
For many people it is, because a DUI conviction in Tennessee cannot be expunged and counts toward harsher penalties on any future charge. A lawyer can review the reason for the stop, how the field sobriety and breath or blood tests were handled, and whether the charge can be reduced. That review happens before you decide how to plead, not after.
Can I get a restricted license after a DUI in Tennessee?
Most first-offense drivers can apply for a restricted license that allows driving to work, school and court-ordered programs. In most cases, the restricted license requires an ignition interlock device on the vehicle you drive. The requirements depend on the details of your case, including whether you refused testing.
What happens if I refused the breath test in Tennessee?
Refusing a breath or blood test in Tennessee brings a separate license suspension under the implied consent law, one year for a first refusal. That suspension is in addition to the DUI charge itself. Both need to be addressed, and the refusal can affect your options for a restricted license.
Is a DUI a felony in Tennessee?
A first, second or third DUI in Tennessee is a misdemeanor, though penalties increase with each offense. A fourth DUI is a felony. Prior DUI convictions count toward those enhancements, which is one reason how a first charge is resolved matters.
What happens at my first court date for a DUI in Wilson County?
A Wilson County DUI case usually begins in Wilson County General Sessions Court in Lebanon. The first appearance is generally where the charge is formally addressed and the next court dates are set, and it is rarely the day the case is decided. Talking with a lawyer before that date gives you time to understand your options first.
Can a lawyer help reduce a DUI charge?
In some cases, yes. Whether a reduced charge is possible depends on the facts, the evidence and how the stop and testing were handled. We review each of these and tell you plainly what your realistic options are.
Talk With a DUI Lawyer in Lebanon or Lafayette Before Your Court Date
The sooner we see the details of your stop and your testing, the more time we have to work with them. Call (615) 873-0251 to talk with Chris Reynolds at our Lebanon office at 500 North Cumberland Street or our Lafayette office at 619 State Rte 52, Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Payment plans are available, and se habla español.
See what clients across Middle Tennessee say about working with us in our Google reviews.