Protecting Your Rights after a DUI in Tennessee
Working to Save Your Driving Privileges after a DUI in Chattanooga
You Have the Right to Challenge Your Loudon DUI Arrest
Marcos Garza is a Loudon DUI Lawyer who represents people accused of DUI in Loudon, Tennessee. You could be charged with a DUI in Tennessee after having two drinks with your dinner, even if you are in complete control of your vehicle.
- Loudon DUI attorney Marcos M. Garza has advanced experience and training to fight your DUI charges
- Aggressive protection of your rights and of your driving privileges
- Former prosecutor in the U.S. Marine Corps with unique experience of both sides of the courtroom
- Committed to obtaining the best possible outcome of your case
- 5-star rating on AVVO by former clients out of more than 70 reviews
Facing a Loudon DUI conviction could mean massive fines and could go on your permanent record which may make you unemployable. Loudon DUI lawyer, Marcos Garza, has fought hundreds of DUI charges and has successfully had many of his clients charges reduced or dismissed. If you are facing a Loudon County DUI charge, contact Loudon County DUI lawyer, Marcos Garza to begin fighting your charge.
You can contact the Garza Law Firm and expect a return call within twelve hours to discuss your case. Most of the time, it is possible to assess a Loudon DUI case and finish a preliminary evaluation of a Loudon County DUI within 15 minutes.
Beginning early on the case is crucial, and the best chance at having a Loudon County DUI reduced or dismissed is to contact a veteran DUI lawyer as soon as possible. Contact Loudon DUI lawyer, Marcos Garza, at (865) 540-8300 or by filling out the form.
First Time Loudon DUI
Receiving your first DUI can come as a shock, especially if you felt that you were not in any way too impaired to drive. Perhaps you may even feel that you must be guilty if you gave a breathalyzer test that marked your BAC above the legal limit of 0.08%. The best step you can take at that point would be to consult with a Loudon DUI lawyer, because the repercussions of a DUI charge can impact your life forever.
There are many possibilities that may have caused you to fail a sobriety test–these possibilities range from poor foot wear, to weather conditions, to lighting, to medical conditions, or even faulty equipment used by the police. A Loudon DUI lawyer will investigate the conditions of your case and find out if anything was done incorrectly during the police’s investigation. Many times it is possible to have a case reduced or dismissed, and avoid having a criminal record, and avoid jail time, and massive fines. Loudon County DUIs are expensive, and it is worth it to have an experienced Loudon County DUI lawyer work your behalf.
Under Age DWI in Loudon County
The legal limit for adults is 0.08% but for a person under the age of 21, the legal limit could be as low as 0.02%. The punishment for an underage DUI in Loudon is much harsher. Even for a first DUI offense, an underage driver may be penalized with jail time, large fines, extended probation, and required attendance to an alcohol abuse treatment course. It is especially common for a person charged with an underage DUI to face trial if they are over 18 years old. It is important to meet with a Loudon County DUI Lawyer if you or a loved one is faced with this predicament.
Loudon County DUI Penalties
Administrative license revocation is a practice used in 41 states, including Tennessee. This is the process by which your driver’s license will be suspended after you’ve been accused of a DUI. This means before you are officially convicted or found guilty, you will have your license suspended. Sometimes, a restricted license will be granted, allowing you to operate your car for specific purposes, such as commuting to school, work, or a court-mandated alcohol education class. Penalties and fines can be negotiated by a Loudon DUI Lawyer if you are facing DUI charges in Loudon County. Sometimes a restricted license will only be granted under the stipulation that a Certified Ignition Interlock Device (IID) is installed on your car. This device will require you to give a breath test every time you start your car. Maintenance and installation of these devices are costly in and of itself. In Tennessee, an IID is required if you are convicted of a DUI.
Tennessee DUI Roadblocks
The Supreme Court ruled that 4th amendment rights of unreasonable search and seizure are not violated by sobriety check points (DUI roadblocks) in the case of Michigan v. Sitz. In Tennesse, roadblocks must meet certain requirements for it to be lawful, these prerequisites include:
- (1) The severity of the interference with public liberty
- (2) The degree by which the seizure advances the public interest
- (3) The gravity of the public concerns served by the seizure
This case law is taken from the Supreme Court’s case of State v. Downey, and is used to give boundaries and determine the constitutionality of a Tennessee roadblock.
Tennessee DUI Sobriety Test
When a person is suspected of driving under the influence, the officer will administer a field sobriety test to determine if they are over the legal limit. A couple of ‘missteps’ during the testing can land you in jail for a suspected DUI in Loudon County.
Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus- nystagmus is a twitching of the eye that can occur with over-the-limit alcohol consumption. It is often used to establish probable cause.
One-leg stand: the subject needs to stand on one leg with their foot six inches from the ground without wobbling, swaying, hopping, or putting their arms out for stability.
Walk and turn: the suspect needs to walk a specific number of steps heel-to-toe without wobbling off the line or holding arms out for support.
Marcos Garza is a Loudon County DUI lawyer who is a certified Field Sobriety Test Administrator. He can analyze the evidence of your Loudon County DUI arrest to determine if the tests were conducted properly, and through this argue if the final results were dependable.
Loudon DUI Lawyer, Marcos Garza
Loudon DUI lawyer, Marcos Garza, comes from McMinn County, Athens, Tennessee. At Vanderbilt University he double-majored in Psychology and Human & Organizational Development.
In 1998, he received his Master’s of Science Degree in Social Work from the University of Tennessee. In 2001, he received his J.D. from the University of Tennessee College of Law.
While he was in Law School, Mr. Garza was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps. While stationed in Virginia, he gained experience in Criminal, Operational Law, Legal Assistance, Contracts, Family, Ethics, Administrative Law, and Income Taxation.
Client Reviews
"I got pulled over for speeding on a holiday weekend. Should have gotten a ticket and been on my way. Mr Officer had an agenda and never offered a breathalyzer, only a blood draw. I felt that this was excessive for the situation and declined. I spent the next 12 hours shuffling around the legal process. Marcos was recommended by a friend and met with me, after business hours, a couple days later. He listened to the facts of my situation and gave me solid advice on what I needed to do to help my self. He could tell that the possibility of a DUI conviction was weighing heavy on my mind. A few court dates came and went and 6 months later I was offered a reduced sentence with court costs as a fine. My driving privileges were not suspended. I truly believe, that his experience and knowledge was the critical difference between me moving past this life event with only a hole in my bank account. The best lesson learned from this experience is to have the wisdom to not find yourself at the mercy of a field sobriety test. Cops have agendas and have bad days. If you should find yourself in a jam, be respectful, be cooperative and above all, consult with Marcos before you submit to anything that can potentially incriminate you." - Chuck, DUI client
"My co-defendant and I, hired Marcos Garza a couple months ago. Our charges were, needless to say, something both my co-defendant and I, didn't want or need with our professions. We both were very stressed out and didn't know exactly what to do or where to turn. My co-defendant heard an advertisement on the radio about this Marcos Garzo, specializing in DUI cases. So..he decided to give him a try. We definitely didn't have anything to lose. The whole process was smooth! He even told us not to stress, because that was his job to do for us. Marcos is one of the kindest, sweetest, smooth and smartest men I've ever had the pleasure of working with. He went above and beyond for me without my expectation of him doing so. Obviously we won our case, but even better, it was better than what we expected our outcome to be. The case was dismissed, expunged and due to a discrepancy of payment from what we were originally told, he went to bat for us on that and we didn't have to pay the difference from what we were originally told. I will sing his praises from now until the end of time. He was such a pleasure to work with! He's an attorney with SWAGGER!!!" - Jasmine, DUI client
"I would recommend Mr. Garza to anyone in Knoxville with a DUI case. My case in particular, was not pretty (lack of video, high BAC...). Marcos and his staff took the time to answer all of my questions, met with me whenever I needed and gave me a peace of mind throughout the process. The DUI was the first offense on my record and Marcos got me an extremely favorable outcome. He met all of my goals that I set in our first meeting and I appreciate his care and professionalism." - Danny, DUI client
Call (423) 822-2367
