Memorial Day weekend marks the unofficial start of summer in Chattanooga, and with it comes backyard cookouts, lake days, and time with family and friends. It's one of the most celebrated weekends of the year, and for good reason. But it's also one of the busiest weekends of the year for law enforcement, and DUI arrests in Tennessee spike significantly during the holiday.
If you or someone you know is facing a DUI charge following Memorial Day weekend, here is what you need to understand before making any decisions.
Law Enforcement Is Out in Force
Every Memorial Day weekend, Tennessee law enforcement agencies increase patrols and set up sobriety checkpoints across the state, including right here in the Chattanooga area. The Tennessee Highway Patrol coordinates with local agencies to maximize coverage during the holiday, and officers are specifically trained to identify impaired drivers. This is not the weekend to assume you'll get a pass.
The Consequences of a DUI in Tennessee Are Serious
Even a first-offense DUI in Tennessee carries real consequences that can follow you for years. These include:
- Mandatory minimum 48 hours in jail (up to 11 months and 29 days)
- Fines ranging from $350 to $1,500 plus court costs
- License revocation for one year
- Mandatory alcohol and drug treatment program
- Ignition interlock device requirements in many cases
A second or third offense escalates significantly, and a DUI involving an accident, injury, or a minor in the vehicle brings additional charges that can change your life permanently.
What to Do If You Get Charged This Weekend
The most important thing you can do after a DUI arrest is contact an experienced criminal defense attorney before you say anything further to law enforcement or make any decisions about your case. What happens in the days immediately following an arrest can have a direct impact on the outcome, and time matters.
At Speek, Turner & Newkirk, attorney Jonathan Turner has spent nearly two decades representing individuals charged with DUI across the Chattanooga area. As a member of both the Tennessee Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and the Chattanooga Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, Jonathan brings a deep understanding of how these cases move through the local court system and what it takes to build a strong defense.
As Attorney Jonathan Turner puts it:
"No two DUI cases are identical. The facts, the circumstances, the stop, the testing, the people involved, every case has its own story and its own set of variables. That is exactly why it matters so much to have an attorney who genuinely knows the Hamilton County system inside and out. Not just the law, but the courts, the prosecutors, and how cases like yours actually move from arrest to resolution. That kind of knowledge is not something you can read in a textbook. It comes from nearly 20 years of showing up, doing the work, and fighting for clients in those courtrooms. When your future is on the line, experience is not a bonus. It is everything."
A DUI Charge Is Not a Conviction
Being charged is not the same as being convicted. There are many factors that go into a DUI case, including how the stop was conducted, whether field sobriety tests were administered correctly, the reliability of breathalyzer or blood test results, and whether your rights were fully observed throughout the process. An experienced attorney knows where to look and how to challenge evidence that may not hold up under scrutiny.
Don't Wait to Get Help
If you or a loved one was charged with DUI over Memorial Day weekend in Chattanooga or the surrounding area, do not wait to reach out. The sooner you have an attorney in your corner, the more options you have.
Contact Speek, Turner & Newkirk today to schedule a consultation with Jonathan Turner and get a clear picture of where you stand.