DUI in Tennessee
Driving under the influence is when a person’s ability to safely operate a motor vehicle is impaired. A person may be charged for a DUI if they are under the influence of an intoxicant such as marijuana, narcotic drugs, or alcohol. There does not need to be any knowledge or intent on the part of the offender to receive a DUI. This is a different standard from many other types of crime.
Alcohol can effect people differently and impair people at different rates. Regardless of the effect and impairment on a particular person, the legal limit for blood alcohol content in Tennessee is .08%.
In Tennessee, operating a motor vehicle or being in physical control of a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol content of .08% or higher is considered driving under the influence, commonly referred to as DUI. The language of the DUI Statute in Tennessee makes it so that a person only has to be in physical control of a vehicle and not necessarily driving a car. The language of the statute means that it is possible to receive a DUI even though you were not driving the car.
There are multiple modes of transportation, that if you operate under the influence, including motorized scooters, ATV’s, and lawnmowers, could result in a DUI. Tennessee has a strict policy for those under 21 years old; the legal limit is .02%, and anything above will be considered a DUI.
To learn more about DUI’s in Tennessee, be sure to check out the article titled “How long do you have to sit in jail for a DUI?“.
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