(WBIR-Knoxville) At least one person is pulled over every day for a DUI in Knox County, according to the most recent TBI database.
That means every day, one person goes through the justice system, and through the long process of booking to jail.
"You'll get people who insist they' e not intoxicated. They're fine, they do this all the time," KCSO Sgt. Gabe Mullinax said. He has been on the 'intoxicated driver' beat for more than a decade.
So he showed 10News the process of testing someone who may or may not be drunk on the road. He said this testing is similar to most other police and law enforcement agencies.
"What I need you to do sir, exit that side of the vehicle, and then step to the back of your vehicle okay?" He demonstrated to our cameras on how the process starts.
He does three tests: following eyes to see if they're shaking, walking toe to foot in a line, and holding one foot in the air while counting. All three are to see if a person can concentrate and show proper motor skills. If the driver fails, he or she is cuffed and sent to jail.
Inside Jail
The first thing when someone arrives at the unloading bay at the Roger D. Wilson Detention Center is a search to see if the suspect has any contraband.
"Alright sir, I want you to step up to the blue mat, place your forehead up to the blue mat. Spread your legs wide apart. You don't have any on that'll stick me or probe me," the jailer tells our camera.
Then a nurse practitioner offers the suspect a blood test. If you are a first time DUI offender, you can refuse the test. However, that means you will have to hand over your license for a year. If you had multiple instances, injured or killed someone a crash, or had a child in the car, you cannot refuse this test.
After you dress in the jail jumpsuit, you are asked questions about your history, disease, drug use, prostitution.
Next, mugshot and other health information and fingerprinting. All totaled, this was at least two hours since the original traffic stop.
After two more searches for any other contraband that was not originally picked up, it was off to a 10 by 25 foot cell. This would be home for several hours to several days- all depending on bail and when someone could post a bond.
Punishments for DUIs
According to the Department of Safety, punishment for a DUI conviction significantly increase with each subsequent case. The following is from their website:
First time DUI offenders
- 48 hours up to 11 months, 29 days for offenders
- License revocation for 1 year
- You will be ordered to participate in an alcohol and drug treatment program
- Pay restitution to any person suffering physical injury or personal loss
- $350-$1,500 fine
- With towing, bail, attorney, high risk insurance, court costs, school, and reinstatement fees, your first offense average costs could add up to $4,900
- Judge can order you to install an Ignition Interlock Device at your expense.
- Minimum first year costs could exceed $1,000.00
- If two convictions of DUI in 5 years, Ignition Interlock Device required for 6 months after reinstatement at your expense
- Drug and Alcohol Treatment may be required at the judge's discretion
Second time DUI offenders
- 45 days to 11 months, 29 days in jai
- l$600-$3,500 mandatory fine
- License revocation for 2 years/Restricted License available after first yea
- rSubject to vehicle seizure/forfeiture
- You will be ordered to attend an alcohol and drug treatment program
- The judge can order you to install an Ignition Interlock Device at your expense
- If two convictions of DUI in 5 years, Ignition Interlock Device required for 6 months after reinstatement at your expense
- Pay restitution to any person suffering personal injury or loss
Third time DUI offenders
- 120 days to 11 months, 29 days in jail
- $1,100 to $10,000 mandatory fines
- License revocation for 6-10 years/NO restricted license available
- Subject to vehicle seizure/forfeiture
- Alcohol and drug treatment program
- Judge could order an Ignition Interlock Device installed at your expense
- If two convictions of DUI in 5 years, Ignition Interlock Device required for 6 months after reinstatement at your expense
Fourth or more DUI offenders
- Class E Felony- 1 Year of jail time with a minimum of 150 consecutive days served
- $3,000 to $15,000 mandatory fine
- License revocation for 8 years/NO restricted license available
- Subject to vehicle seizure/forfeiture
- Alcohol and drug treatment program
- Judge could order an Ignition Interlock Device installed at your expense
- If two convictions of DUI in 5 years, Ignition Interlock Device required for 6 months after reinstatement at your expense
