Chattanooga Felony DUI Lawyer

Understanding Felony DUI in Tennessee

Aggressive Defense Against Felony DUI Charges in Tennessee

Felony DUI is one of the most serious alcohol-related charges in Tennessee. A fourth or subsequent DUI offense is a felony. Having a minor passenger adds mandatory jail time and can lead to additional charges such as felony child neglect, but it does not automatically turn the DUI into a felony. Driving on a suspended or revoked license also increases penalties but does not by itself elevate the DUI to a felony. license can also be prosecuted as a felony. These charges carry mandatory jail or prison time, heavy fines, and lasting consequences. An experienced defense attorney can review the details of your arrest, challenge weak evidence, and fight for the best possible outcome.

Common Defense Strategies in Felony DUI Cases

Every felony DUI case is unique. However, experienced defense attorneys commonly investigate:

• Accuracy of prior convictions – Were the earlier DUIs valid, and can they legally be used to elevate the new charge?

• Traffic stop legality – Did officers have reasonable suspicion to stop you?

• Field and chemical testing – Was your blood test handled according to Tennessee’s chain-of-custody standards?

• Procedural mistakes – Did the state file or serve the indictment correctly?

Challenging one key element, like an invalid prior DUI or flawed BAC test, can sometimes reduce a felony to a misdemeanor or even result in dismissal.

Local Insights: How Chattanooga Prosecutors Handle Felony DUI Cases

Felony DUI charges in Chattanooga are handled at a higher level than ordinary DUI arrests. These cases are prosecuted by the District Attorney General’s Office, where senior attorneys focus on repeat-offender and felony DUI prosecutions across Hamilton County. Because a conviction carries mandatory jail time and years of license loss, local prosecutors treat these cases as a top priority for public safety.

Once a felony DUI indictment is filed, proceedings take place in the Hamilton County Criminal Court, located at the downtown courthouse on Georgia Avenue. Judges there frequently schedule pretrial settlement conferences to review plea proposals or treatment-based resolutions. Prosecutors may consider a defendant’s prior record, blood-alcohol results, and participation in alcohol treatment when deciding how to move forward.

A seasoned Chattanooga felony DUI lawyer who regularly practices before the local District Attorney’s Office and Criminal Court judges understands how these cases are managed, from plea negotiation timing to sentencing expectations. Knowing each prosecutor’s style and each judge’s approach can often mean the difference between a felony conviction and a reduced or amended charge.

For general information about other key local offices involved in DUI cases, you can also visit the Sheriff’s Office for jail and booking details or the Tennessee Department of Safety & Homeland Security for license and reinstatement information.

What Are the Potential Defense Strategies for Felony DUI Cases?

A Chattanooga felony DUI lawyer evaluates the stop, testing, and evidence to identify the strongest path forward. Common strategies include:

• Challenging the stop: Lack of reasonable suspicion for the traffic stop or lack of probable cause for arrest can lead to suppression of evidence.
• Field sobriety tests: Improper instructions, uneven surfaces, footwear, injuries, or medical conditions can make results unreliable.
• Breath test reliability: Calibration issues, maintenance gaps, mouth alcohol, GERD, temperature variance, and uncertified operators affect accuracy.
• Blood test integrity: Chain-of-custody errors, improper preservatives, fermentation, storage temperature, and lab protocol deviations can contaminate results.
• Video and report inconsistencies: Bodycam or dashcam footage that conflicts with narratives or scoring sheets undermines credibility.
• Procedural and constitutional issues: Unlawful search or seizure, delayed implied-consent advisement, or Miranda problems can limit admissible evidence.
• Alternative explanations: Fatigue, illness, medications, or neurological conditions may explain alleged impairment signs.
• Negotiated outcomes:If dismissal is not possible, negotiating for reduced charges can be an alternative approach. Courts may also consider alternatives such as inpatient or outpatient alcohol and drug treatment, private or court-supervised programs, or rehabilitation plans. These can help moderate penalties, support negotiations, and in some cases substitute for custodial time.

The appropriate approach depends on the facts of the stop, the testing records, and the strength of the state’s proof.

Get Help from Our Experienced Chattanooga DUI Defense Team

If you’re facing a felony DUI in Chattanooga, including cases involving vehicular assault or vehicular homicide, our team can review the facts, explain your options, and represent you in court.

We handle DUI matters across Tennessee and have experience with felony-level charges. We examine the stop, testing, and evidence to build the strongest defense available. Contact us to discuss your case.