DUI Defense Attorney in Germantown, TN

Fearless DUI Defense. Trial-Ready Since 1996.

A DUI charge doesn’t just threaten your freedom. It can suspend your driver’s license, jeopardize your professional licenses, and leave a permanent mark on your criminal record that Tennessee law offers no way to erase. At Snider & Horner, PLLC, we’ve represented clients across West Tennessee and Mississippi since 1996, and we know that how a DUI case is handled from the start can shape every outcome that follows.

Our attorneys aren’t focused on a quick resolution. We’re willing to take a case to trial when that’s what it takes to protect a client’s future, and that commitment to fearless advocacy defines how we approach every case we take.

If you’ve been arrested for DUI in Germantown, the decisions you make now matter. Call us at (901) 730-8880 to talk through your situation and your options before critical deadlines pass.

What Tennessee DUI Law Actually Means for You

Under Tennessee Code Annotated § 55-10-401, it’s unlawful to operate or be in physical control of a motor vehicle while impaired by alcohol, drugs, or any intoxicant, or with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08% or higher. Even a first offense carries serious consequences.

First-offense DUI penalties in Tennessee include:

• A minimum of 48 hours in jail, rising to 7 days if your BAC was 0.15% or higher, with a maximum of 11 months and 29 days
• Fines from $350 to $1,500, plus court costs
• A minimum one-year driver’s license suspension
• Ignition interlock device (IID) installation at your own expense in most cases
• Completion of a state-approved alcohol safety program

Repeat offenses and aggravating factors can push penalties significantly higher. A DUI conviction stays on your record permanently, and Tennessee provides no expungement pathway, which makes the outcome of each case unusually consequential. Germantown DUI charges move through the Shelby County court system, and understanding how local courts handle these matters is part of building an effective defense.

DUI Charges We Defend in Germantown

Not every DUI case looks the same. We handle the full range of charges Tennessee prosecutors bring, including situations where the exposure goes well beyond a standard misdemeanor.

• First-offense DUI: Typically a Class A misdemeanor, but still carries mandatory jail time, fines, and license suspension
• High-BAC cases: A BAC of 0.15% or higher can trigger aggravated DUI provisions with steeper mandatory minimums
• Repeat DUI offenses: Mandatory minimum sentences increase substantially with each prior conviction
• Drug DUI: Impairment by prescription medications, marijuana, or controlled substances can lead to DUI charges even without alcohol
• Felony DUI: A charge can become a felony when it involves serious bodily injury, death, a prior conviction history that meets the statutory threshold, or other aggravating circumstances, such as a minor passenger in the vehicle

We’re licensed in both Tennessee and Mississippi, so if your DUI arrest or its consequences cross state lines, we can assist on both sides.

How We Approach a DUI Defense

Every case starts with a thorough review of the evidence. We conduct our own investigation into the circumstances of the stop, the testing procedures used, and the conduct of the arresting officer, independent of what prosecutors present. Was the traffic stop itself lawful? Was the breathalyzer properly calibrated and maintained? Were field sobriety tests administered correctly? Are there chain-of-custody issues with chemical test samples? Each of these questions can affect whether evidence holds up in court.

If the evidence can be challenged, we challenge it. If dismissal isn’t achievable, we pursue charge reduction through plea negotiation, including a possible reduction to reckless driving where the facts support it. When trial is the right path, we’re prepared to take it.

Getting an attorney involved early matters. Options that exist in the first days after an arrest, including steps related to your driver’s license and initial court appearances, may not be available once those windows close.

Why Germantown Clients Choose Snider & Horner, PLLC

We’ve been part of this community for nearly three decades. Our membership in the Germantown Area Chamber of Commerce reflects a commitment that goes beyond the courtroom, and founding attorney Kevin Snider volunteers as Commander of the Fayette County Technical Rescue team. We know the Shelby County legal system because we work in it every day. What we offer is direct attorney attention on your case, the resources to investigate thoroughly, and the willingness to fight in court when that’s what your case demands.

Recognized Credentials

Our attorneys have earned recognition, including Peer Review Rated, Lead Counsel Rated, Lawyers of Distinction 2018, 10 Best Attorney 2018, Top 100 Trial Lawyers, and National Board of Trial Advocacy credentials. Snider & Horner, PLLC is also endorsed as the Wise Choice for a Law Firm by Andy Wise.

Talk to a Germantown DUI Defense Attorney Today

A DUI conviction is permanent in Tennessee. There’s no expungement and no second chance to clear your record, which means your choice of attorney matters more than it might in other cases. We can review what happened, explain your options clearly, and work toward the strongest possible outcome from day one.

We handle DUI defense as part of a full criminal defense practice serving clients throughout Germantown and West Tennessee. Reach us by phone at (901) 730-8880 or through our online contact form.

Call Snider & Horner, PLLC at (901) 730-8880 today to schedule your consultation.