When you drive in Tennessee and an officer pulls you over for suspicion of driving under the influence (DUI), it is very likely that the officer will request blood or breath to confirm their suspicions. This is especially the case in Clarksville and Montgomery County. Tennessee law states that by driving, you give consent automatically for your blood or breath to be obtained when an officer has probable cause to believe that you may be driving under the influence. The refusal during the stop to give a blood or breath sample can result in a revocation of your driving privileges for one year. This law is known as Tennessee's Implied Consent Law. 

This law has recently changed. The penalty will increase to a year and a half suspension on January 1, 2026. In addition, if a warrant was obtained for your blood in the past, the implied consent violation would often be dismissed. No longer is this the case. There is no longer a differentiation between whether or not blood is collected. Your license will still be suspended if you refuse the test.

If you have been charged with driving under the influence (DUI) or underage driving while impaired in Clarksville it is important to hire an attorney that is not only familiar with DUI law, but understands consent, the ways that blood is processed, and the field sobriety tests that can lead to a request for blood or breath. Lawyers at Patton|Pittman are certified in Standardized Field Sobriety Testing just like police officers. It’s time for you to even the score. Contact us today for a free consultation.