Traffic & DUI Defense

Your Shield Against Blue Lights

When those blue lights flash in your rearview mirror, the anxiety sets in fast. At Courtroom Calvary, we understand how overwhelming a traffic ticket or DUI charge can be. Our job is to stand between you and the consequences—fighting to protect your license, your record, and your future.

Cases We Handle

Our team focuses on defending clients across the Upper Cumberland and East Tennessee regions in matters including:

  • DUI & DWI Defense – first-time and repeat offenses, blood/alcohol testing challenges

  • Traffic Tickets – speeding, reckless driving, failure to yield

  • License Issues – driving on a suspended or revoked license

  • Seatbelt / Restraint Violations – child passenger restraint violations, safety belt violations

  • Accident-Related Charges – leaving the scene of an accident, reckless endangerment, “Driver to exercise due care” violations

  • Juvenile Traffic Offenses – protecting the future of young drivers

Why Traffic & DUI Defense Matters

A “simple” ticket or DUI isn’t always simple. Convictions can lead to:

  • License suspension or revocation

  • Steep fines and court costs

  • Increased insurance premiums

  • Possible jail time for repeat or serious offenses

  • Long-term impacts on employment and background checks

With so much at stake, it’s critical to have an experienced defense team in your corner.

Our Approach

At Courtroom Calvary, we don’t believe in one-size-fits-all defense. We:

  • Scrutinize every detail of the stop, arrest, or citation

  • Challenge questionable evidence, tests, and officer procedure

  • Negotiate where possible to reduce fines, points, or penalties

  • Fight aggressively in court when trial is your best option

Take Action Now

Get My Free Ticket Review

Every day you wait is one less day to build your defense. Don’t risk walking into court alone.

Contact Courtroom Calvary today for a confidential case review. We’ll assess your situation, explain your options, and help you move forward with confidence.

Traffic Tickets

Don’t let a ticket derail your record.

Traffic citations may seem minor, but points on your license can quickly lead to higher insurance rates, fines, and even suspension.

The Courtroom Calvary fights speeding tickets, reckless driving charges, and all traffic-related matters with precision. Whether you’ve been accused of a lane violation, safety belt violation, or child passenger restraint violation, we know how to challenge the evidence and protect your driving record.

Received a DUI?

The Courtroom Calvary provides Aggressive defense when your license and freedom are at stake.

Driving Under the Influence (“DUI”) charges can have severe consequences, depending on your prior criminal history and the circumstances of the incident. A DUI conviction can cost you your license, your job, and your reputation. Whether you seek legal representation for an underage offense or vehicular, we can help. With our experience and training, our firm will build an aggressive and unique defense to fight your DUI charge. Matthew McClanahan takes an aggressive approach to defending DUI cases, including underage consumption and public intoxication. From challenging the legality of the traffic stop to examining breathalyzer results, we fight to protect your future and keep you on the road.

What Constitutes a DUI?

The “per se” blood alcohol level at which Tennessee presumes a driver to be drunk is set at 0.08. Those under the age of 21 with a BAC of 0.02 while driving, even if not drunk, can still be charged with a DUI under Tennessee's "zero tolerance" law.What are the Penalties for DUI in Tennessee?

Tennessee has a mandatory minimum jail time for first-time DUI offenders. You will get at least 48 hours in jail, unless your BAC was 0.20 or higher, in which case your minimum will be much higher at 7 days.

First Offense

The maximum sentencing you can receive for a first-time DUI offense includes the following:

  • Up to 11 months and 29 days in jail

  • Fine of $350-1,500

  • License revocation for 1 year

  • Mandatory alcohol and drug treatment program

Second Offense

The maximum sentencing you can receive for a second DUI offense includes the following:

  • Up to 11 months and 29 days in jail

  • Fine of $600-3,500

  • License revocation for 2 years

  • Mandatory alcohol and drug treatment program

  • Ignition Interlock Device

Third Offense

The maximum sentencing you can receive for a third DUI offense includes the following:

  • Up to 11 months and 29 days in jail

  • Fine of $1,000-10,000

  • License revocation for 6 years

  • Mandatory alcohol and drug treatment program

  • Ignition Interlock Device

Underage DUI

Penalties for a youth between the ages of 16 and 20 found guilty of impaired driving include a 1-year revocation of their license, a $250 fine, and court-imposed community service.

When Does a DUI Become a Felony in Tennessee?

In the event of a DUI, you could face much more severe penalties if you have seriously harmed or killed another person. Vehicular assault, or causing serious injury to another person due to your impaired driving, is a Class D felony subject to:

  • 2-12 years in prison

  • A fine up to $5,000

  • 1-5 years of license revocation (depending on prior DUIs)

Vehicular homicide, or killing another person in a drinking-and-driving accident, is a Class B felony punishable by:

  • 8-30 years in prison

  • A fine up to $25,000

  • License revocation for 3-10 years and no restricted driver’s license

Can I refuse a blood alcohol test?

Tennessee also has “implied consent” laws for testing your blood alcohol level. This law states that anyone who operates a motor vehicle has implicitly complied to a chemical test to determine their blood alcohol content (BAC). If you refuse to submit to a test when requested, you could face license revocation for 1-2 years, depending on your case.

Field Sobriety Tests

The Standardized Field Sobriety Test (SFST) is made of up 3 individual tests:

  • Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus (HGN) test - In this test the officer will observe their eyes as they slowly move a pen or small object back and forth to look for indicators that the person is impaired.

  • Walk-and-turn test - In this test, the officer instructs the person to take nine steps in a straight line and the return back. The officer is looking for signs that the person is impaired such as not being able to keep their balance or not following the instructions properly.

  • One-leg stand test - In this test, the officer instructs the person to stand with one foot off the ground and hold it for about 30 seconds. The officer looks for signs of impairment such as swaying, hoping or using their arms to balance.