Tennessee DUI Discovery Process

In building a defense for your DUI case, your attorney will gather all available information that the state has against you in a process called discovery. Thanks in part to a 1963 Supreme Court ruling, it is a violation for prosecutors to withhold any exculpatory evidence—evidence that would aid your case—or evidence of police wrongdoing.

What May You And Your Attorney Learn Through Discovery?

Because most DUI cases are handled in General Sessions Court where formal discovery is not required, it is extremely important that you have an experienced DUI attorney on your team who can keep you abreast of the proceedings and informed of your rights. In most cases, the experienced team at the Garza Law Firm may be able to obtain discovery materials that may make a big difference in obtaining a favorable outcome at this lower court level.

At the Circuit Court level, discovery of the following information is required upon request: statements you have made to law enforcement officers, including any copies of statements or confessions made as a result of interrogation; your recorded Grand Jury testimony; any prior criminal record; the results of any examinations or scientific tests; and various tangible objects, papers or documents.

Your attorney may also be able to access certain training records of the arresting officer under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). The merits of your arrest may be called into question if your attorney can show that the arresting officer was not properly trained in field sobriety testing or breath alcohol tests.

The Garza Law Firm—Put Our Experience To Work For You

Marcos Garza is an experienced DUI attorney who knows the ins and outs of the discovery process. If you are facing a DUI charge in the state of Tennessee, call the Garza Law Firm to schedule a free, no-risk consultation, and our professional staff will analyze your case and inform you of possible defense strategies—including avenues of discovery.

Leaving a DUI case in the hands of an inexperienced lawyer or, worse yet, failing to hire a lawyer at all may result in severe, life-altering consequences. A DUI conviction can follow you for the rest of your life, compromising future career opportunities and creating marital or personal strife.

If you are facing a DUI charge in Tennessee, get experience on your side—call the Garza Law Firm today at (888) 680-7554.