Chattanooga Felony DUI Lawyer
Aggressive Defense Against Felony DUI Charges in Tennessee Schedule a Free ConsultationFELONY DUI: TENNESSEE
Fourth Offense and Greater
A Fifth Offense DUI is a Class D felony, carrying punishment of 2 to 12 years, with a minimum of 150 days in custody.
A sixth offense of greater DUI is a Class C felony, carrying punishment of 3 to 15 years.
If you are facing a fourth DUI or another serious DUI charge, speaking with a felony DUI lawyer in Chattanooga early can help you navigate your charges and your case to protect your future.
Are you facing a felony DUI charge in Tennessee? Call the Law Offices of Meredith Mochel today at (423) 803-4333 or contact us online to schedule a meeting with our felony DUI lawyer in Chattanooga!
Injuries to a Minor
If, at the time of DUI offense, the defendant was accompanied by a minor who suffers serious bodily injury as the proximate result of the DUI, the person commits a Class D felony and shall be punished for the crime vehicular assault.
If, at the time of the offense, the defendant was accompanied by a minor who is killed as the proximate result of the DUI, the person commits a Class B felony and shall be punished as provided for vehicular homicide involving intoxication.
Chattanooga DUI Lawyer
Helpful Resources
- Tennessee Department of Safety & Homeland Security – Official government resource for safety information in Tennessee.
- Tennessee Department of Correction – Offers information on corrections and legal matters in Tennessee.
Contact Law Offices of Meredith Mochel today by calling (423) 803-4333 to schedule a FREE consultation on criminal defense matters with our felony DUI attorney in Chattanooga!
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Felony Charges that can accompany a DUI
Even a first offense DUI can result in felony charges, if a defendant’s driving is alleged to present a knowable danger to others or an injury or death occurs as a result of the impaired driving. The following felony offenses can accompany a DUI charge, creating a peril for much greater consequences than a singular DUI.
Reckless Endangerment
Tennessee has a crime of reckless endangerment that can be a misdemeanor or a felony, depending on the facts. T.C.A. § 39-13-103 defines reckless endangerment as recklessly engaging in conduct that places or may place another person in imminent danger of death or serious bodily injury. The offense is a misdemeanor unless the reckless endangerment was committed with a deadly weapon. The use of a deadly weapon makes the reckless endangerment an E felony, carrying 1 to 6 years.
Injuries to passengers, pedestrians, persons in other vehicles – vehicular and aggravated vehicular assault
Vehicular assault
Under T.C.A. § 39-13-106, a person commits the crime of vehicular assault if, as the proximate result of the person’s intoxication, they recklessly cause serious bodily injury to another person by the operation of a motor vehicle. Vehicular assault is a Class D felony.
Aggravated Vehicular Assault
Under T.C.A. §, 39-13-115, a person commits aggravated vehicular assault who:
– commits vehicular assault and has two or more prior convictions for DUI or BUI, OR
– has one (1) or more prior convictions for: vehicular assault, vehicular homicide, or aggravated vehicular homicide, OR
– Had a blood alcohol concentration of .15 % or greater at the time of the offense; AND
(Has one (1) prior conviction for DUI or BUI
Aggravated vehicular assault is a Class C felony and carries a fine between $5,000.00 and $15,000.00.
Vehicular Homicide
Under T.C.A. § 39-13-213, vehicular homicide by DUI is the reckless killing of another by the operation of a vehicle as the proximate result of the driver’s intoxication. The crime of vehicular homicide resulting from a DUI is a Class B felony. Additionally, Tennessee punishes even a first time felony as a Range II B Felony in the case of a vehicular homicide conviction. A Range II B felony, with no prior felonies, carries 12 to 20 years. If a defendant is convicted of vehicular homicide and has prior felony convictions, the sentence range can be even greater, up to 30 years.
Start your defense with a felony DUI attorney in Chattanooga. Call (423) 803-4333 or schedule a consultation.
Why You Should Seek a Felony DUI Attorney in Chattanooga
A felony DUI conviction can affect not only your driver’s license for years but your freedom, your family, and your future.
The decisions made early in the case can matter. Giving a statement to law enforcement or to an insurance company can create an adverse record before your criminal case has even begun. You may have strict bond conditions that are required to remain on bond pending the conclusion of the case.
Early legal help matters. Evidence can disappear quickly. Video footage can be overwritten. Witness memories can fade. Lab documents, dispatch records, body-camera footage, dash-camera footage, and crash evidence are important to obtain as soon as possible.
A Tennessee Felony DUI defense lawyer can begin your defense quickly to protect the record, your rights, and your defenses.
The Law Offices of Meredith Mochel defend people facing serious DUI charges in Chattanooga, Hamilton County, and surrounding areas.
Contact a Felony DUI attorney in Chattanooga today. Call (423) 803-4333 or request a confidential consultation through our website.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions About Hamilton County Courts and Lawyers
1. What qualifies as a felony DUI in Chattanooga?
A DUI becomes a felony offense in Tennessee when it is your fourth or subsequent conviction under Tenn. Code Ann. § 55-10-402(g)(1). Felony charges can also apply if you were driving on a license revoked for a prior DUI or if multiple out-of-state DUI convictions are recognized under Tennessee law.
2. What is the punishment for a felony DUI conviction in Tennessee?
A Class E felony DUI carries between one and six years in prison, with a mandatory minimum of 150 consecutive days served day-for-day (no early release). Fines range from $3,000–$15,000, and your driver’s license will be revoked for eight years. Details appear in Tenn. Code Ann. § 55-10-402.
3. Where are felony DUI cases handled in Chattanooga?
Felony DUI prosecutions are handled by the Hamilton County District Attorney General’s Office and heard in the Hamilton County Criminal Court. After a grand-jury indictment, defendants are arraigned and the case proceeds under Tennessee felony procedure.
4. How long do prior DUIs count toward a felony charge?
Tennessee law uses a 10-year look-back period, meaning any DUI conviction within the past decade can elevate a new arrest to felony status. This rule is defined in Tenn. Code Ann. § 55-10-405. Prior DUIs from other states may also count if their statutes are substantially similar to Tennessee’s.
5. Can a felony DUI be reduced or dismissed in Chattanooga?
Possibly. If your attorney shows that a prior conviction was invalid or that chemical-test evidence was mishandled under Tenn. Code Ann. § 55-10-406, prosecutors may agree to remove the felony enhancement. That could reduce the case to a misdemeanor DUI or lead to dismissal before indictment.
6. What happens after a felony DUI arrest in Hamilton County?
Following arrest, defendants first appear in General Sessions Court for a preliminary hearing. If probable cause is found, the case is bound over to the grand jury for indictment, then transferred to criminal court. The process follows Tennessee Rule 5 of Criminal Procedure. Retaining a Chattanooga felony DUI lawyer early helps preserve critical dash-cam and blood test evidence.
7. Can a felony DUI conviction ever be expunged?
No. Under Tenn. Code Ann. § 40-32-101, felony DUI convictions cannot be expunged or removed from your record. They remain permanent and may affect employment, licensing, and background checks indefinitely.