arrested for dui Memphis

FAQ With a Memphis Criminal Defense Lawyer

The following questions and answers are offered to help those who have been charged with a crime in the Memphis area. Where will I have to go for court? If you have been charged in Memphis, you will go to the Criminal Court building downtown at 201 Poplar Ave. Your case will be heard in…

Memphis DUI Lawyer on Sobriety Checkpoints

Two compelling interests must be weighed in analyzing sobriety checkpoints: the need to protect the public from impaired drivers, and a citizen’s Fourth Amendment right to be protected from unreasonable search and seizure. Tennessee allows the use of such checkpoints, but only when operated under strict guidelines. Although the crime of driving under the influence and its…

Memphis DUI Lawyer Patrick Stegall on: Tennessee DUI FAQ

Can I be arrested for DUI if I’m not actually driving the car? Yes. Under Tennessee DUI law it is a crime to drive or be in physical control of an automobile. “Physical control” is not the same as drive. It has a much broader definition. Essentially, if the facts show that the vehicle was…

Memphis DUI Lawyer Patrick Stegall on: Tennessee DUI Penalties

Under Tennessee law, a conviction for Driving Under the Influence (DUI) can carry many penalties. A first offense Tennessee DUI, for example, will carry a minimum 48 hours in jail, but a second offense conviction carries a minimum 45 days in jail. The type and severity of penalty will depend on the facts of the…

Memphis Criminal Defense Lawyer Patrick Stegall on: Keeping a Tennessee Criminal Charge Off Your Record

A criminal conviction in the state of Tennessee can have serious consequences. Under Tennessee law, for instance, misdemeanors are punishable up to 11 months and 29 days in jail, and the minimum punishment for a felony is one year. Punishment and sentencing for Tennessee crimes are set out in Titles 39 and 40 of the…

What To Look For In a Memphis Criminal Lawyer

If you have been arrested or been issued a misdemeanor citation in Memphis, Tennessee, one of the first things you’re going to have to do is hire a lawyer. This can be a daunting task if you don’t know one, and especially so if this is your first run-in with the law. You’re probably confused…

Memphis DUI Attorney Patrick Stegall on: Tennessee’s Ignition Interlock Device Laws

Tennessee’s DUI laws carry many different penalties. One such penalty is the ignition interlock device. The ignition interlock device is a device that connects a motor vehicle’s ignition system to a breath alcohol analyzer and prevents the motor vehicle from starting if the driver’s blood alcohol level exceeds the calibrated setting. Currently under Tennessee law,…