Top best Dui Lawyers in Knoxville | 19 available

Welcome to my practice, located in Knoxville, TN. I have dedicated my entire practice to helping those unjustly charged with Driving Under the Influence. After passing the bar, I committed myself to learning all I could about criminal defense, and focused on DUI defense specifically. Few offenses in the criminal justice system call for greater attorney expertise than cases involving driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol.. DUI cases are especially complex because they require defense counsel to fully understand legal issues of search and seizure, due process, illegal interrogation, denial of counsel, and evidentiary issues. These legal issues intersect in a DUI case with scientific areas of expertise, such as anatomy, biology, chemistry, physiology, and toxicology, as well as pseudo-scientific areas such as field sobriety testing. I have worked diligently as a DUI defense attorney to acquire the knowledge needed to attack every phase of a DUI arrest in Tennessee. Let me give you a free case evaluation today.

Since graduating from the University of Tennessee Law School in 1980, I have worked diligently to establish myself nationally as an authority on the intricacies of DUI law.  My background in the sciences gave me a unique perspective in defending those accused of DUI.  I have successfully represented over two thousand clients charged with DUI.  In 2006, I became the first DUI lawyer in Tennessee to be recognized by the Tennessee Commission on Continuing Legal Education and Specialization as a certified specialist in the area of DUI Defense law.. I am the author of the state treatise entitled, "DUI: The Crimes & Consequences in Tennessee"; and since 2003, have been the co-author of the national treatise "Drunk Driving Defense" with Lawrence Taylor of Long Beach, California.  Both texts are widely relied upon by judges, prosecutors and defense lawyers.  In 1995, I became a founding member of The National College for DUI Defense, Inc. and have served on their Board of Regents since 1999.  During 2009-2010 I had the honor to serve as Dean of the College.  I have also served as chair or co-chair of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers' DUI Committee since 1995. For more details about my background and experience as a Tennessee DUI attorney, you may view my resume / vitae.. I am also a frequent contributor to The Champion, the official publication of The National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.  I am one of only a few lawyers in the nation who have been certified by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to administer the Standardized Field Sobriety Tests.  I have also been trained as a Drug Recognition Evaluator and have taught thousands of lawyers on the Field Sobriety Tests and hundreds on the Drug Recognition Tests.. I have handled cases from the General Sessions Court (our lowest court in Tennessee) all the way to the Tennessee Supreme Court.  After my argument in a DUI case before the Tennessee Supreme Court, the Court unanimously dismissed the charge against my client.. I have been honored by many national rating systems for decades.  In 2004, Business Tennessee Magazine described me as:. "'Godfather statewide in the area of DUI.' With his treatise on DUI in Tennessee, which debuted in 1991 and has appeared annually since then, stays at the forefront of drunk driving defense in the state. Represents high-profile clients in Knoxville and across the eastern part of the country. 'Brilliant lawyer, great teacher.' Well-regarded trial attorney with 'professorial' demeanor. . ." Alexei Smirnov, Best Lawyers in Tennessee, Business Tennessee Magazine, p. 50 (January 2004).  I was also named Knoxville's 2013 Lawyer of the Year by the "Best Lawyers" organization in the area of Criminal Defense, Non-White-Collar Crime.  Moreover, "U.S. News and World Report" designated  Oberman & Rice as a "Tier 1 Best Law Firm" in Tennessee for DUI Defense and Criminal Defense.. Some of my other honors include: Receiving the highest rating from the renown Martindale-Hubbell™ and AVVO rating system; Named as a "Mid-South Super Lawyer," a "Top 100 Trial Lawyer" by the American Trial Lawyers Association, a "Best Lawyer in America" by a publication of the same name, and one of Knoxville CityView Magazine's "Top Attorneys.". Moreover, I have enjoyed my work as an adjunct professor at the University of Tennessee Law School since 1993 and have received prestigious awards for my faculty contributions. One of my most enjoyable experiences, though, was teaching in 2019 as a Fulbright Scholar when I was a visiting professor at The University of Latvia in the capital city of Riga, Latvia (near Russia).  There I taught two classes: American Criminal Law and American Trial Advocacy.. I spend my "spare time" speaking at seminars throughout the United States on various topics relating to DUI defense. My audiences have included seminar attendees of the National College for DUI Defense, Inc., the American Bar Association, and the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. As of 2019, I have been honored to speak over 130 times to various bar associations, police training classes, judicial conferences and other seminars in more than 30 states and six foreign countries.  In 2002, I was honored to demonstrate cross-examination techniques and lecture at the FBI Training Academy in Quantico, Virginia on the topic of courtroom testimony and in 2006, I was appointed to the Governor’s Task Force on DUI Laws in Tennessee and was elected Vice-Chair of the Committee by my peers.. I hope you will take the opportunity to contact me to discuss your case.  The chances of obtaining a successful result will increase dramatically if you obtain representation within a few days of your arrest.  DUI and other criminal charges can affect your career and your life—forever.  While I can never guarantee a result, you have my assurance that no one will give you or your case more attention.  Steve Oberman

Sara Compher-Rice received her B.A. from Denison University in 1999 with a major in Political Science and a minor in English Literature.. Sara attended the University of Tennessee College of Law, where she received her Doctor of Jurisprudence, Magna Cum Laude (high honors), in 2002. Graduating in the top ten percent of her class, Sara was elected to the Order of the Coif, the highest academic honor a law student can achieve.. While attending the University of Tennessee, Sara received the Claire Garland Memorial Scholarship and was also the recipient of numerous academic awards, including Dean's List, Highest Honors.. She was also a member of Phi Kappa Phi, the Moot Court Board, the Constitutional Law Moot Court Team, where she participated in a national competition at William & Mary College of Law, and served as a Vice-Magister for the legal fraternity Phi Delta Phi.. Sara joined the firm in 2002 to assist Steve Oberman in his practice, as well as to develop a practice of her own as a Tennessee DUI attorney. Licensed in all Tennessee courts, Sara is currently limiting her practice to criminal defense and personal injury law, with an emphasis on alcohol and/or driving-related cases.. Sara recognizes the importance of staying on the cutting edge of the latest legal, legislative and scientific developments in DUI law. As a DUI lawyer in Tennessee, she spends many hours at national DUI symposiums each year and also assists Mr. Oberman in the extensive research and writing of his books, DUI: The Crimes and Consequences in Tennessee and Drunk Driving Defense. In 2003, 2004 and 2006 she also received a certificate of completion from the National College for DUI Defense, Inc. Summer Session held at Harvard University.. Sara has lectured to both local and national audiences on the topics of DUI Defense, Ethics and Courtroom Technology. She has also authored multiple articles relating to DUI Defense.. Sara is a member of the National College for DUI Defense and the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, for which she serves on the DUI committee.. Sara is active in the Knoxville Delta Gamma Alumnae Group, where she has served as Vice President of the organization. She has also been appointed by the international legal fraternity, Phi Delta Phi, to serve as Province President of Province 14, working with law school students across Tennessee, Kentucky and southwestern Virginia. Sara also enjoys volunteering her time with the March of Dimes.

Richard L. Gaines was the first lawyer to successfully challenge the reliability of a detection dog in a federal court. His continued practice in defending the criminally accussed in state and federal courts includes bank robbery, white collar crime, drug crimes, health care fraud, and other federal matters. Mr. Gaines also practices in Federal Administrative Law representing Department of Energy employees (contractors) in revocation hearings for Q security clearance and access authorization. He is admitted to practice in various federal jurisdictions.

Mr. Garza lectures both in the state of Tennessee and nationally in the areas of Criminal Defense, DUI and trial skills. Mr. Garza has literally attended hundreds of hours of legal and scientific education related to the defense of the citizen accused and prides himself in staying on the cutting edge of trial techniques and the underlying law and science that is necessary to effectively defend those accused of crime or those who have suffered serious personal injury. Mr. Garza is trained in the science and techniques of Gas Chromatography (the method used to test drugs and alcohol in the blood), the EC/IR II breath testing device and is both a student and Instructor of the Standardized Field Sobriety Tests, Advanced Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement (ARIDE) and Drug Recognition Expert (DRE) courses.. Mr. Garza is also a graduate of the prestigious National Criminal Defense College (NCDC) in Macon, Georgia and a graduated of the well-respected Gerry Spence Trial Lawyers College® in Dubois, Wyoming, an intensive 24-day trial skills college.. After a tour as a Judge Advocate and Captain in the United States Marine Corps, Mr. Garza returned to practice law in his home of East Tennessee.  He routinely travels across East Tennessee handling criminal and personal injury cases for a relatively small number of clients.  Marcos Garza is committed to handling fewer cases in the areas of Criminal, DUI and Personal Injury law in order to achieve the best results possible.  This system enables Mr. Garza to get to know his clients personally and thoroughly, and he believes this not only produces better results but is also a more rewarding way of practicing law.  He is available during the week and on weekends for free consultations.  Mr. Garza is a husband and father of four young children and enjoys running and charcoal grilling on the weekends.

Luke Durham is a full-service attorney, dedicated to serving each client's particular needs.  He provides quality service on a personal level.  Luke can service any legal need, at any level.

Jason Collver zealously represents individuals who are charged with a criminal offense such as driving under the influence, simple possession, public intoxication, and much more; individuals hurt in car accidents; couples seeking agreed divorce; and other general litigation matters. He started Collver Law in 2018 to offer client centric representation, custom tailored to the client’s unique legal situation. Each case is different and should not be treated in a cookie cutter manner. Mr. Collver’s goal is to take as much stress out of the legal process as possible, while providing representation at an affordable rate.He is licensed in Federal Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee. He is also a practitioner of NHTSA DWI Detection and Standardized Field Sobriety Testing.Mr. Collver was a member the Garza Law Firm, PLLC, from 2015-2018.Mr. Collver not only practices out of his home county of Knox, but also practices across the State of Tennessee. He makes regular appearances in Knox County, Blount County, Roane County, Loudon County, Sevier County, Anderson County, and others.Mr. Collver attended the University of Tennessee College of Law, where he recieved his Juris Doctorate. While in law school, Mr. Collver was a competing member in the American Association for Justice’s Nation Trial Competition. He was also the Editor-in-Chief of the Tennessee Journal of Law and Policy.Before attending law school, Mr. Collver clerked for the State of Tennessee’s House Clerk’s Office during the 107th Legislative Session. Mr. Collver worked closely with several committee chairmen to ensure orderly operation of the legislative process.He spends his pass time with his family, hiking, and traveling.

I graduated from the University of Tennessee College of Law, Cum Laude, in 2016. During my final year at UT Law, I was a student attorney in the Innocence and Wrongful Convictions Clinic. My time in the clinic was an amazing, educational experience that allowed me to help people unjustly imprisoned while learning from the mistakes of much more experienced criminal defense attorneys.. Since leaving UT Law and the legal clinic, I have continued my pursuit of helping those unjustly imprisoned and started helping those facing a possible conviction. I strive to provide quality legal representation that protects my clients' rights and ensures a fair, just result.

Brandon D. Fersten is a partner at Barnes & Fersten, PLLC who focuses exclusively on criminal, DUI and juvenile defense by regularly appearing in general sessions court, criminal court, and juvenile court to defend our clients. Brandon has successfully argued an appeal in Criminal Court that resulted in a reversal of the trial court's ruling. Brandon fights for our clients everyday in criminal cases that result in countless dismissals and favorable outcomes of criminal and juvenile delinquency charges through negotiations, hearings, bench trials and jury trials. Brandon's passion in representing his clients resulted in Brandon being awarded the Top 40 Under 40 award by The National Trial Lawyers and being named Best Lawyers' Ones to Watch.. Brandon graduated Magna Cum Laude with a concentration in Advocacy & Dispute Resolution from the University of Tennessee College of Law. During law school, Brandon made the Dean’s list three years in a row and he was awarded the prestigious CALI Excellence for the Future Award in Advanced Criminal Law, Advocacy Clinic and Negotiation. In 2020, Brandon was awarded the Jerry. P. Black, Jr. Student Clinic Attorney Award. Prior to law school, Brandon received his bachelor's degree in Political Science with a minor in Economics from the University of South Florida.. When Brandon is not practicing law, he enjoys playing softball and golf, watching sports and hiking in the Great Smokies with his wife, Taylor. If you see Brandon somewhere on the weekend, you will most likely see him accompanied by his first daughter Lilly, an English Golden Retriever, and his newborn son Colton Dallas.

As an experienced attorney, I understand and appreciate that every case is different. The day you're arrested is usually one of the worst days of your life. At Barnes & Fersten, we believe someone's worst day should not define them. I look forward to working with you and helping with your criminal case!

Accepting New Clients, Call for a Consultation. After graduating from law school in 2007, A.Z. spent a brief period of time in private practice before accepting a position as an Assistant Public Defender in Knox County, Tennessee. As an Assistant Public Defender, he worked in each of the four criminal divisions of Sessions Court and all three divisions of Criminal Court. During this time, A.Z. represented clients charged with everything from Misdemeanors like Public Intoxication to Felonies such as Theft, Assault, and various drug offenses.. In his last three years of service as an Assistant Public Defender, A.Z. was assigned to the “DUI Division” where he successfully defended hundreds of clients charged with Driving Under the Influence and other related offenses. A.Z.’s success in that capacity was a major reason the partners of Oberman & Rice invited him to join their team.. A.Z. joined Oberman & Rice in 2014 and became Partner in 2017, where he continues to focus his practice on those accused of Driving Under the Influence (DUI) as well as other driving, alcohol, and drug-related crimes. He also defends those accused of other criminal and traffic offenses, as well as helping clients expunge their criminal record. He is proud to share the firm’s focus on providing exceptional service to its clients through legal, legislative, and scientific research.. A.Z. is a member of the American Bar Association, Knoxville Bar Association, and National College of D.U.I. Defense (where he is the State Delegate for Tennessee). He has also served on the Executive Board of CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) for Children – an organization aimed at giving neglected children in Knox County a voice in court and helping their families develop parenting plans to form a stronger and healthier family bond.

Experienced Dui attorney serving clients in Knoxville and surrounding areas.

Experienced Dui attorney serving clients in Knoxville and surrounding areas.

Experienced Dui attorney serving clients in Knoxville and surrounding areas.

Experienced Dui attorney serving clients in Knoxville and surrounding areas.

Experienced Dui attorney serving clients in Knoxville and surrounding areas.

Experienced Dui attorney serving clients in Knoxville and surrounding areas.

Experienced Dui attorney serving clients in Knoxville and surrounding areas.