If you drive northwest of Chattanooga for about 150 miles, you will arrive in Hendersonville. The city has at one time or another been home to musical figures such as Taylor Swift, Johnny Cash, Kelly Clarkson and Roy Orbison, among others. It is also home to a police officer who was arrested and charged with driving under the influence of alcohol.
After being accused of DUI and possession of a firearm while under the influence, the 24-year-old officer will not be prosecuted. However, he was briefly suspended from his job but has since been returned to patrol, according to news reports.
According to reports, the officer was seen speeding and was pulled over. The responding officer said he saw indications of impairment and also said he saw his fellow officer stumble as he tried to get out of his vehicle.
Charges were dropped because the officer met certain conditions after his arrest, including a requirement that he attend alcohol safety classes. A prosecutor said because this was a first offense and that the officer’s blood alcohol level (BAC) was barely over the legal limit, he was eligible to have his DUI case treated in this manner.
In Tennessee, the legal BAC limit is .08 percent.
The officer had also faced termination if had been convicted of drunk driving. This case is another example of how a skilled attorney can help clients avoid punishment that exceed the offense.
If you face allegations of drunk or drugged driving, contact an experienced Chattanooga criminal defense lawyer.
