Felony DUI Lawyer in Franklin, TN

Eric Larsen’s Law Enforcement Background Defends Franklin Felony DUI Clients

A fourth or subsequent DUI in Tennessee crosses a legal threshold that changes everything. It’s no longer a misdemeanor. It’s a Class E felony, carrying mandatory prison time, an eight-year license revocation, and a permanent criminal record that can’t be expunged. The defense strategy that works for a first offense won’t cut it here. Attorney Eric Larsen brings nearly a decade of criminal defense experience to these cases, along with a career background in law enforcement and corrections that shapes how he reads the state’s evidence and finds the gaps in it.

At Larsen Law PLLC, we handle felony DUI defense in Franklin and across Williamson County. We know how local officers document DUI stops, how the courts move, and what it takes to protect a client facing this level of charge.

Time matters after a felony DUI arrest. Call us at (615) 933-2454 to schedule your free consultation and let us review what the state has against you.

What a Felony DUI Conviction Carries Under Tennessee Law

Upon conviction for a fourth-or-subsequent DUI, Tennessee law prescribes penalties that go well beyond what most DUI defendants have faced before. These are the statutory consequences a conviction can bring:

• Mandatory incarceration: A minimum of 150 consecutive days of confinement, with sentencing exposure reaching the full Class E felony range
• Fines: $3,000 to $15,000 under TN Code 55-10-403, plus court costs and potential restitution if injuries or property damage occurred
• License revocation: Eight years under TN Code 55-10-404, with no restricted license available during that period
• Vehicle forfeiture: The defendant’s vehicle is subject to seizure and forfeiture to the state
• DUI school: Mandatory attendance at a state-approved program
• Ignition interlock device: Ignition interlock device may be required at the judge’s discretion as a condition of eventual license reinstatement
• SR-22 insurance: Proof of high-risk financial responsibility coverage required before reinstatement, along with applicable fees to the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security
• Permanent record: A felony DUI conviction can’t be expunged in Tennessee, and out-of-state prior DUI convictions can be used to enhance the offense level under TN Code 55-10-405

Life After a Felony DUI Conviction

The courtroom penalties are severe. What follows them can be just as consequential. A felony appears on criminal background checks run by employers, landlords, and professional licensing boards. Jobs requiring a commercial license, security clearance, or any driving component can become difficult to hold. Professional license holders in healthcare, education, law, and real estate may face suspension or revocation proceedings before their licensing boards.

SR-22 high-risk insurance adds ongoing financial pressure long after the legal process ends. Eligibility for certain federal programs, housing assistance, and educational financial aid can also be affected. These downstream consequences are precisely why fighting a felony DUI at every available stage matters.

How We Build a Felony DUI Defense in Williamson County

Felony DUI defense requires evaluating the legality of the traffic stop or checkpoint, the administration and reliability of field sobriety tests, the chain of custody and testing procedures for breath and blood samples, and whether any prior convictions used for enhancement were properly counted. Every one of those angles shapes the strategy we build for each client.

Training & Credentials That Shape Our Review

Eric Larsen holds NHTSA certification in standardized field sobriety tests, the same training course that law enforcement officers complete. That credential isn’t just a line on a resume. It means he evaluates whether officers properly administered and scored the walk-and-turn, one-leg-stand, and horizontal gaze nystagmus tests using the same standards the officer was trained on. His prior career in law enforcement and corrections gives him direct familiarity with how Franklin Police Department and Williamson County Sheriff’s Office officers conduct DUI stops and document evidence.

Eric also attends the Tennessee Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (TACDL) DUI Conference annually and participates in the DUI Defense Lawyers Association, a national organization focused on the science behind blood and breath test evidence. That continuing engagement keeps our defense strategies current as the law and testing technology evolve.

What We Look for in the State’s Evidence

Was the traffic stop legally justified? Were checkpoint procedures followed? Are there gaps in the chain of custody for blood or breath samples? Were breathalyzer maintenance records current? These aren’t abstract legal arguments. They’re the details that determine whether the state’s evidence holds up in court.

In one prior case, we successfully moved to suppress blood evidence after challenging the consent procedures used during the blood draw. With no remaining evidence to support the charge, the state dismissed the DUI charges entirely. Prior results don’t guarantee a similar outcome in your case, but they illustrate how case-specific investigation can affect what the prosecution has to work with.

Larsen Law PLLC holds a 10.0 Superb Avvo Rating and an AV Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell. Eric Larsen has also been recognized as a Rising Stars selection.

Start with a Free Consultation Before Deadlines Pass

Williamson County courts enforce strict procedural timelines. Options available shortly after arrest, including suppression motions and pre-trial negotiations, may not remain available if action is delayed. The sooner we can review the stop, the arrest, and the evidence documentation, the more room we have to build a defense that accounts for vulnerabilities in the state’s case.

We represent clients facing felony DUI charges in Franklin and throughout Williamson County. Your first consultation is free, and it’s the right place to start understanding what you’re up against and what options may be available.

Contact Larsen Law PLLC today at (615) 933-2454 to schedule your free consultation.