TCA 55-10-411
Presumption of impairment – Notice of penalties for additional offenses – Allegation of prior convictions – Mandatory service of minimum sentence – No defense that person is lawful user of substance – Strip searches – Juris…
VIOLATIONViolation
What does this charge mean?
Presumption of impairment – Notice of penalties for additional offenses – Allegation of prior convictions – Mandatory service of minimum sentence – No defense that person is lawful user of substance – Strip searches – Juris… — Violation.
Penalty Details
ClassificationViolation
Penalty SummaryViolation
(a) For the purpose of proving a violation of § 55-10-401(a)(1), evidence that there was, at the time alleged, eight-hundredths of one percent (0.08%) or more by weight of alcohol in the defendant‘s blood shall create a presumption that the defendant’s ability to drive was sufficiently impaired thereby to constitute a violation of § 55-10-401(1). Ask a traffic law question, get an answer ASAP!Thousands of highly rated, verified traffic lawyers. Parking violations, accidents, DUI/DWI, licensing, registration, and more Protect your vehicle and your rights with expert legal help now (A) For purposes of a conventionally operated vehicle, every person who drives or is in actual physical control of a vehicle. See Tennessee Code 55-8-101Evidence: Information presented in testimony or in documents that is used to persuade the fact finder (judge or jury) to decide the case for one side or the other.Indictment: The formal charge issued by a grand jury stating that there is enough evidence that the defendant committed the crime to justify having a trial; it is used primarily for felonies.Jurisdiction: (1) The legal authority of a court to hear and decide a case. Concurrent jurisdiction exists when two courts have simultaneous responsibility for the same case. (2) The geographic area over which the court has authority to decide cases.Person: means a natural person, firm, copartnership, association, corporation, or an engaged ADS. See Tennessee Code 55-8-101Probable cause: A reasonable ground for belief that the offender violated a specific law.Probation: A sentencing alternative to imprisonment in which the court releases convicted defendants under supervision as long as certain conditions are observed.State: when applied to the different parts of the United States, includes the District of Columbia and the several territories of the United States. See Tennessee Code 1-3-105Vehicle: means every device in, upon or by which any person or property is or may be transported or drawn upon a highway, excepting devices used exclusively upon stationary rails or tracks. See Tennessee Code 55-8-101written: includes printing, typewriting, engraving, lithography, and any other mode of representing words and letters. See Tennessee Code 1-3-105(b) (1) Any person convicted of an initial or subsequent offense shall be advised, in writing, of the penalty for second and subsequent convictions, and, in addition, when pronouncing sentence the judge shall advise the defendant of the penalties for additional offenses. Written notice by the judge shall inform the defendant that a conviction for the offense of driving under the influence of an intoxicant committed in another state shall be used to enhance the punishment for a violation of § 55-10-401 committed in this state. (2) In the prosecution of second or subsequent offenders, the indictment or charging instrument must allege the prior conviction or convictions for a violation of driving under the influence of an intoxicant under § 55-10-401, boating under the influence under § 69-9-217(a), vehicular assault under § 39-13-106, aggravated vehicular assault under § 39-13-115, vehicular homicide under § 39-13-213(a)(2), or aggravated vehicular homicide under § 39-13-218, setting forth the time and place of each prior conviction or convictions. When the state uses a conviction for the offense of driving under the influence of an intoxicant, boating under the influence, aggravated vehicular homicide, vehicular homicide, aggravated vehicular assault, vehicular assault, or adult driving while impaired committed in another state for the purpose of enhancing the punishment for a violation of § 55-10-401, the indictment or charging instrument must allege the time, place, and state of the prior conviction. (c) No person charged with violating § 55-10-401 shall be eligible for suspension of prosecution and dismissal of charges pursuant to §§ 40-15-102 – 40-15-105 and 40-32-101(a)(3)-(c)(3) or for any other diversion program nor shall any person convicted under such sections be eligible for suspension of sentence or probation pursuant to former § 40-21-101 [repealed] or any other law authorizing suspension of sentence or probation until such time as the person has fully served day for day at least the minimum sentence provided by law. (d) Nothing in chapter 591 of the Public Acts of 1989, the Sentencing Reform Act of 1989, shall be construed as altering, amending or decreasing the penalties established in this section for the offense of driving under the influence of an intoxicant. (e) The fact that any person charged with violating § 55-10-401 is or has been entitled to use one (1) or more intoxicants, alcohol, marijuana, controlled substances, controlled substance analogues, drugs, or other substances that cause impairment shall not constitute a defense against any charge of violating this part. (f) No person arrested for a violation of § 55-10-401 shall be subjected to a strip search or body cavity
View on official sourceLast verified: Feb 26, 2026
Quick Facts
VIOLATION
TCA Section55-10-411