Posts Tagged DUI lawyer

Happy Holidays from the Tennessee Highway Patrol- Sobriety Checkpoints

Motorists venturing to Grandmother’s house this holiday season in East Tennessee need to be very careful and prepared for delays while passing through several checkpoints throughout the end of the year and leading into the new year.   Tennessee Highway Patrol and other law enforcement agencies will be out in full force over the next few weeks to ensure that drivers heading to see family and friends are not operating their vehicle while impaired or committing traffic violations.

The 2019 Christmas/New Year holiday enforcement period has already started and will include several sobriety checkpoints in the following East Tennessee counties: Knox, Union, Campbell, Monroe, Morgan and Scott. For a full list of checkpoints please click here.

The DUI defense lawyers at Oberman & Rice are always willing to help those who may find themselves being arrested at one of these checkpoints or being cited for a traffic violation. If you or a loved one find yourself in need of a skilled trial lawyer, please make sure to contact one of our three law partners at (865) 249-7200 or by visiting www.tndui.com. Even though most law firms are closed during this holiday period, all of our lawyers will be available 24/7 to help you with any situation you may find yourself.  If we cannot be of assistance, then our firm will attempt to help find you someone who can. 

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Labor Day Weekend 2019: Sobriety Checkpoints Planned for East Tennessee

Drivers in East Tennessee need to be mindful during the upcoming Labor Day Weekend while driving to the lake for one more weekend of “fun in the sun” before the summer ends and football time begins! Tennessee Highway Patrol troopers and other law enforcement agencies will be out in force in most of the East Tennessee area this Labor Day weekend ensuring that motorists are not driving while impaired or committing traffic violations.

The 2019 holiday enforcement period begins Friday, August 30, and will include several sobriety checkpoints in the following East Tennessee counties: Union, Campbell, Monroe and Sevier. For a full list of checkpoints please click here.

The DUI defense lawyers at Oberman & Rice are always willing to help those who may find themselves being arrested at one of these checkpoints or being cited for a traffic violation. If you or a loved one find yourself in need of a skilled trial lawyer, please make sure to contact one of our three law partners 24/7 at (865) 249-7200 or by visiting www.tndui.com.

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New Tool to Aid Law Enforcement in D.U.I. Enforcement

Many road warriors across the country know that if you drink too much alcohol and operate a motor vehicle on a public roadway you may be arrested for Driving Under the Influence (D.U.I.). A lot of drivers are not aware that a D.U.I. charge may also arise out of the use of prescription medication and/or the use of marijuana (even if legal in your state to consume). The issue for law enforcement, however, is how to test for medications and marijuana traces from the person suspected of committing a D.U.I. based on the consumption of drugs alone and not alcohol (while not obtaining a blood sample). Law enforcement agencies have long implemented the use of a portable breath test device to detect the presence of alcohol on a suspect, but now- a new tool has been adopted by law enforcement agencies to combat drivers who are suspected to be impaired by drugs.

According to a recent U.S.A. Today article, the new tool for law enforcement agencies is a portable “lab” that can test the oral fluids of the alleged D.U.I. offender through a simple swab of the suspect’s mouth for saliva. The device is called the Dräger DrugTest® 5000. The device is supposed to determine if the driver has any traces (in their saliva) of drugs including, but not limited to: amphetamines, opiates, cocaine, and cannabinoids. As of the publishing of the U.S.A. Today article, law enforcement agencies in several cities have already implemented the device in the field.

Presumably, the use and science behind this new tool for law enforcement will be challenged in a court of law (much like the alcohol portable breath test device has been for years). Please remember if you or someone you know has been charged with a D.U.I. alleging alcohol or drug impairment, make sure to call and speak with one of our attorneys at the Oberman and Rice Law Firm. The Obermand and Rice Law Firm can be reached 24/7 at (865) 249-7200 or by email at oberman@tndui.com, sara@tndui.com or az@tndui.com.

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Where may I obtain a Tennessee Restricted Driver’s License?

In order to apply for a Tennessee Restricted Driver’s License, it is important to go to the correct Tennessee Department of Safety location. Not every Driver Service Center in Tennessee is authorized to issue a Restricted Driver’s License. For example, Knoxville has several Driver Service Center locations but only one (located at **Strawberry Plains) can process the appropriate paperwork to obtain a Restricted Driver’s License and has the ability to issue a temporary Restricted Driver’s License, valid for 90 days.

A helpful online tool is provided by the Department of Safety in order to save you time and effort when attempting to find which Driver Service Center location will issue a Restricted Driver’s License. This link will allow for you to search and determine which Driver Service Center in your area can issue a Restricted Driver’s License or fulfill other needs you may have (i.e.: Renew a Driver’s License, Take a Road Driving Test, etc.).

If you are in need of a Tennessee Restricted Driver’s License, many important steps and procedures are required. The attorneys at Oberman & Rice can assist you in the process of obtaining a Restricted Driver’s License. For more information regarding a Restricted Driver’s License and the requirements for obtaining a Restricted Driver’s License the lawyers at Oberman & Rice are available by calling (865) 249-7200. You may also wish to visit www.tndui.com for more information about a Restricted Driver’s License.

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2015 Update – Two Legislative Proposals Regarding DUI & Alcohol in Tennessee

During the 2015 legislative term, Tennessee lawmakers have proposed two separate bills that address the use of alcohol. Designed with safety as a primary concern, Senate Bill 0699 and Senate Bill 0374 each address the consequences of what can happen when alcohol is misused. Similar House bills have been introduced as well.

Senate Bill 0699 attempts to lower the number of Driving Under the Influence offenses by banning third-time (or more) DUI offenders from purchasing alcohol. Those persons convicted of three DUI offenses will have a special indication on their driver’s license or state ID with the words “NO ALCOHOL SALES.” This particular bill was introduced in response to concern about a growing number of people who have been arrested for a third DUI offense in the state of Tennessee. Specifically, 751 received a third DUI offense in 2014; however, in 2015, that number is expected to grow to 900.

Senate Bill 0374 addresses a new form of intoxicant – crystalline and powdered alcohol. This particular bill would altogether ban crystalline and powdered alcohol in Tennessee, without qualification. Because these substances prove easily accessible and susceptible to abuse (specifically by mixing into food and beverages, with or without another person’s knowledge), Tennessee and a growing number of states have disallowed this new substance.

If these proposals are passed, Tennessee will have implemented innovative measures to attempt to regulate alcohol use within the state.  Mr. Oberman extends his appreciation to Kaya Porter, second year UT law student, for her assistance in researching and editing this blog post.

If accused of driving under the influence, it is important to immediately consult with a Tennessee DUI attorney familiar with Tennessee DUI laws and the issues surrounding DUI defense.  For more information about the crime of DUI or about your legal rights with respect to an allegation of driving under the influence of an intoxicant, the lawyers at Oberman & Rice are available by calling (865) 249-7200.  You may also wish to visit www.tndui.com for more information about the offense of driving under the influence in Tennessee.

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DUI News From Across The Country

Driving Under the Influence (DUI) laws and issues may vary greatly from state to state.  If you are interested in DUI laws and related news throughout the United States, visit the DUI News Blog.  The DUI News Blog features DUI attorneys throughout the country, including Knoxville DUI Attorney Steve Oberman.

If you have questions about Tennessee DUI issues, you may call the Oberman & Rice law firm at (865) 249-7200.

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