First-Offense DUI in Chattanooga

Focused DUI Defense Since 1995, with a Partner Devoted to the Practice

For many people, a first-offense DUI is their first encounter with the criminal justice system. That unfamiliarity makes the stakes feel even higher. Tennessee classifies a first-offense DUI as a Class A misdemeanor, but the consequences reach well beyond a court date. We’ve represented clients across southern Tennessee and northern Georgia since 1995, handling everything from misdemeanor offenses to felony charges.

If you’re facing a first-offense DUI charge in the Chattanooga area, contact Abbott, Weiss, Faith & Darnell, PLLC at (423) 264-2206 to schedule a free initial consultation.

The Attorneys Who Will Handle Your Case

Barry L. Abbott brings over three decades of legal experience to every client we represent. Joshua P. Weiss has devoted his practice almost exclusively to criminal and DUI defense since 2011 and was named a Super Lawyers Rising Star for 2021 through 2025. Together, they bring focused, substantive knowledge to first-offense DUI cases that can look routine on the surface but carry real long-term consequences.

We provide honest assessments and realistic expectations: what the evidence shows, what the likely range of outcomes looks like, and what your options are at every stage. One client reported that Attorney Weiss called to check on them months after their case concluded. That kind of follow-through reflects how we work. We take the time to understand your situation and build a strategy around it.

Tennessee’s Penalties for a First DUI Conviction

A first-offense DUI conviction in Tennessee carries a fine between $350 and $1,500, plus court costs. Jail time has a mandatory minimum of 48 hours, with a maximum of 11 months and 29 days. If your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) was 0.15% or higher at the time of the offense, that mandatory minimum increases to seven consecutive days. Tennessee law sets that enhanced-penalty threshold at 0.15%, lowered from the prior 0.20% effective July 1, 2024.

Beyond fines and jail time, a conviction carries additional consequences:

• A one-year driver’s license revocation
• A possible ignition interlock device requirement as a condition of license restoration
• An administrative license suspension under Tennessee’s implied consent law if you refused a breath, blood, or urine test, which runs separately from the criminal case

What Happens After a Chattanooga DUI Arrest

Two separate processes begin almost immediately after an arrest. The administrative license revocation timeline moves independently of your criminal case. Drivers have only a short window from the date of arrest, commonly cited as 10 days, to request a hearing contesting that suspension. Missing that window can mean losing your license before your criminal case is resolved.

On the criminal side, misdemeanor DUI cases in this area begin in the Criminal Division of the Hamilton County General Sessions Court, which handles arraignment and preliminary proceedings. We review the circumstances of your stop, how field sobriety and chemical tests were administered, and whether your rights were respected throughout the process. If the evidence supports a challenge, we pursue it. If negotiation is the stronger path, we bring those capabilities to the table, and we’re prepared to take your case to court if that’s what your situation calls for.

Start with a Free Consultation

We offer a free initial consultation for DUI cases. Clients consistently note that our rates are reasonable and that we work to keep costs manageable. Getting information early gives you more options.

Call Abbott, Weiss, Faith & Darnell, PLLC at (423) 264-2206 to speak with our team about your first-offense DUI charge. We can tell you where you stand.