Charged with DUI in Tennessee?
P: (423) 447-2400
P: (423) 447-2400
Former DUI Prosecutor. Experienced DUI Defense Attorney.
A DUI charge can put your driver's license, finances, employment, and freedom at risk. If you have been arrested for DUI in Tennessee, having an attorney who understands how these cases are investigated, prosecuted, and defended can make a difference.
Attorney Randy Clark has practiced criminal law since 2014 and previously served as an Assistant District Attorney, where his responsibilities included prosecuting DUI cases. He has tried DUI cases from both sides of the courtroom—as a prosecutor for the State of Tennessee and as a defense attorney representing people accused of DUI.
Serving clients in Bledsoe, Rhea, Sequatchie, Marion, Cumberland, Van Buren and surrounding counties.
DUI Cases Require More Than Reading a Police Report
A DUI arrest does not automatically mean a DUI conviction.
DUI cases can involve complicated factual and legal questions concerning the initial traffic stop, field sobriety tests, chemical testing, implied consent, search and seizure, and whether the State can actually prove impairment beyond a reasonable doubt.
Every case is different. A careful DUI defense begins with examining how the investigation started and what happened at each stage of the arrest.
A DUI defense may require examining:
Whether law enforcement had a lawful basis for the traffic stop;
The officer's observations and statements contained in the arrest report;
Body-camera and dash-camera recordings;
The administration and interpretation of field sobriety tests;
Breath or blood testing procedures and results;
Whether required DUI and implied-consent warnings were properly given;
Search warrants and other evidence used to obtain a blood sample;
The timing of testing in relation to driving;
Witness testimony and other evidence concerning driving or impairment; and
Whether the State can establish every required element of the offense.
The existence and importance of any particular issue depends upon the facts of the individual case.
What Happens After a DUI Arrest in Tennessee?
A DUI case can involve more than the criminal charge itself. Depending upon the circumstances, an arrest may raise issues concerning driving privileges, implied consent, bond conditions, court appearances, alcohol or drug testing, and other requirements.
The consequences of a DUI conviction can also extend beyond the courtroom. A conviction may affect driving privileges, insurance costs, employment, professional licensing, and other aspects of everyday life.
Getting legal advice early allows the evidence to be evaluated while the case is still developing.
Experience From Both Sides of a DUI Case
In addition to representing defendants in DUI cases, Randy Clark prosecuted DUI cases as an Assistant District Attorney.
That experience provides familiarity with how prosecutors evaluate DUI evidence, prepare witnesses, assess video and chemical-test evidence, and present DUI cases at trial.
Since beginning his criminal-law practice in 2014, Randy has handled criminal cases from both sides of the courtroom and has tried multiple DUI cases as both a prosecutor and a defense attorney.
Today, that experience is applied exclusively to representing clients and evaluating the State's evidence against them.
WHAT CLIENTS SAY
★★★★★ 5.0 on Google
“Very professional and to the point.... Explained in detail the proceedings and was very informative.”
— Chuck, Google Review
Arrested for DUI? The Evidence Matters.
No two DUI arrests are exactly alike.
Some cases depend heavily upon an officer's observations. Others involve body-camera footage, field sobriety testing, blood analysis, breath testing, search warrants, alleged refusals, or a combination of evidence.
The appropriate defense strategy depends upon what actually happened—not simply what appears on the charging document.
Attorney Randy Clark personally evaluates the circumstances and evidence in each DUI case and advises clients about the available options.
Frequently Asked Questions About Tennessee DUI Charges
Is a DUI conviction automatic if I was over the legal limit?
No. A chemical-test result can be important evidence, but the admissibility, reliability, timing, and legal significance of the test may still need to be evaluated along with the other evidence in the case.
Can I challenge the traffic stop?
Potentially. A DUI investigation commonly begins with a traffic stop, and the legality of that stop can be an important issue. Whether a challenge is available depends upon the facts known to the officer and the circumstances leading to the stop.
What if I refused a blood or breath test?
A refusal may result in an implied-consent allegation in addition to the DUI prosecution. The circumstances surrounding the request for testing and alleged refusal should be reviewed carefully.
Should I plead guilty to a first-offense DUI?
A person charged with DUI should understand the evidence, possible consequences, available defenses, and alternatives before deciding how to resolve the case. An arrest itself does not establish guilt.
Do you actually take DUI cases to trial?
Randy Clark has tried DUI cases as both an Assistant District Attorney and a criminal defense attorney. Whether trial is appropriate in a particular case depends upon the evidence, available defenses, potential resolutions, and the client's circumstances.
Local DUI Representation
Randy Clark represents people accused of DUI and other criminal offenses in Bledsoe County, Rhea County, Sequatchie County, and surrounding Tennessee courts.
When you hire a local attorney, your case is handled by the attorney whose name is on the firm—not passed through a large intake operation.
Facing a DUI charge? Contact our office to discuss your case.