Brentwood is known for its vibrant nightlife scene. Williamson County takes DUI enforcement seriously, and Tennessee ranks among the stricter states for DUI penalties. In 2024, over 19,000 people were arrested for DUI in the Volunteer State.
And if you plead guilty or are convicted, the penalties you'll face are stringent, even for a first offense:
First offense (Misdemeanor)
- Jail time: You'll spend at least 48 hours in jail, with a maximum of 11 months and 29 days (Seven-day minimum if BAC ≥ 0.15%)
- Probation: Any part of the 11 months and 29 days not spent in jail will be spent on probation
- Driver's license suspension: Your license will be revoked for one year (a restricted license may be available)
- Fine: You'll have to pay between $350 and $1,500
- DUI school: The court may require alcohol/drug treatment
- Ignition Interlock Device (IID): If you continue driving during the license revocation period, Tennessee generally requires an IID and a restricted license. Tennessee generally requires at least 365 days of ignition interlock use, although limited waivers may be available in some cases.
Second DUI (Misdemeanor)
- Jail time: You'll spend a minimum of 45 days in jail, with a maximum of 11 months and 29 days
- Probation: Any part of the 11 months and 29 days not spent in jail will be spent on probation
- Driver's license suspension: Your license will be revoked for two years (a restricted license may be available)
- Fine: You'll pay between $600 and $3,500
- DUI school: Alcohol/drug treatment is required
- Ignition Interlock Device (IID): If you continue driving during the two-year revocation period, you'll generally need an IID. Tennessee's compliance-based interlock rules also generally require at least 365 days of IID use.
Possible vehicle seizure and restitution
Third DUI (Misdemeanor)
- Jail time: You'll spend a minimum of 120 days in jail with a maximum of 11 months, 29 days
- Probation: Any part of the 11 months and 29 days not spent in jail will be spent on probation
- Driver's license suspension: Your license will be revoked for six years (a restricted license may be available)
- Fine: You'll pay between $1,100 and $10,000
- DUI school: Alcohol/drug treatment is required
- Ignition Interlock Device (IID): If you continue driving during the six-year revocation period, an IID is generally required. Tennessee's compliance-based rules govern how long the device must remain installed and when it can be removed.
Possible vehicle seizure and restitution
Fourth and Subsequent DUIs (Class E Felony)
- Jail time: You'll spend a minimum of 150 consecutive days in jail, with a maximum sentence of six years behind bars
- Driver's license suspension: Your license will be revoked for eight years (a restricted license may be available)
- Fine: You'll pay between $3,000 and $15,000
- DUI school: Alcohol/drug treatment is required
- Ignition Interlock Device (IID): If you continue driving during the eight-year revocation period, an IID is generally required. Tennessee's compliance-based rules govern how long the device must remain installed and when you can remove it.
Possible vehicle seizure and restitution
Aggravating Factors in Brentwood DUI Cases
Some circumstances will increase your charges or penalties:
Refusing to Submit to a Chemical Test
Tennessee's implied consent law can result in separate driver's license consequences if you refuse a requested chemical test. Effective January 1, 2026, a first refusal of a requested blood test can result in an 18-month license revocation when the driver has no DUI, vehicular assault, or vehicular homicide conviction within the previous 10 years and is suspected of misdemeanor DUI. Revocation periods may be longer depending on prior convictions or whether the incident involved serious injury or death.
Police can still charge you with refusal even if they later obtain a blood sample through a search warrant, court order, exigent circumstances, or another lawful method.
Vehicular Assault
If you recklessly cause serious bodily injury to another person as the proximate result of driving while intoxicated, you may be charged with vehicular assault. Vehicular assault is a Class D felony and can result in significant prison time and loss of driving privileges.
DUI with Child Passenger (Under 18)
- This is a Class D felony charge if it involves a serious injury
- It is a Class B felony if someone is killed
- Alcohol/drug treatment will be required
Vehicular Homicide
Aggravated vehicular assault is more serious than vehicular assault and can apply when certain aggravating circumstances specified by Tennessee law are present. It is a Class C felony and carries significantly greater consequences than a misdemeanor DUI.
Aggravated Vehicular Assault with DUI
This is a Class A felony. Penalties include 15 to 60 years in prison, and your driver's license will be suspended for 3 to 10 years.
How We Beat DUIs in Brentwood
We aren't your typical law firm. We offer white-glove, hands-on service. We treat each client like family.
- Our senior attorneys will personally handle all critical aspects of your case
- Prompt, personalized communication
- Aggressive defense strategies tailored to your case
- Focus on mitigating penalties or securing dismissals
Our Brentwood team knows the nuances of Williamson County DUI enforcement. We leave no stone unturned, reviewing:
- Traffic stop legality
- Officer conduct and evidence handling
- Field sobriety and chemical test results
- Arrest video and dashcam footage
- Medical conditions, medications, or environmental factors that could impact sobriety assessments
Tennessee also expanded its DUI testing laws in 2026 to address oral-fluid testing. Lawfully administered oral-fluid test results may be admitted as evidence in DUI, vehicular assault, and vehicular homicide cases. When oral-fluid testing is involved, we can examine how the sample was collected, handled, tested, and interpreted as part of our review of the state's evidence.
We also prepare mitigation packages when necessary, including proof of employment, character references, and rehabilitation efforts, to persuade prosecutors to reduce charges or approve diversion programs.
Last updated in September 2026 to reflect changes in Tennessee DUI laws.
