New data released by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) shows thousands of drivers have been wrongfully charged with Driving Under the Influence (DUI) when their blood and breath tests show they are innocent. As investigated by News Channel 4:
https://www.wsmv.com/2026/01/06/tbi-admits-undercounting-sober-dui-arrests-by-thousands-tennessee/
The TBI admitted there are thousands of cases of people arrested for DUI who did not have drugs or alcohol in their system. The TBI stated that between 2017 and 2024, there are roughly 2,547 cases of people charged with DUI whose blood work later showed they were innocent.
How Wrongful DUI Arrests Happen
Most DUI arrests begin with a traffic stop, often for a minor infraction such as a broken taillight or briefly drifting within a lane. From there, the officer must determine whether the driver is impaired. This decision is frequently based on subjective observations rather than clear-cut evidence.
Common causes of false DUI arrests in Tennessee include:
1. Misinterpreted Field Sobriety Tests
Field sobriety tests are not pass-or-fail science experiments. They rely heavily on an officer’s interpretation. Uneven pavement, poor lighting, fatigue, anxiety, age, weight, injuries, or neurological conditions can all cause a sober person to “fail” these tests.
2. Faulty or Misused Breathalyzers
Breath testing devices require regular calibration and proper administration. Errors, outdated maintenance, radio frequency interference, or even certain diets and medical conditions (such as acid reflux or diabetes) can produce falsely high readings.
3. Medical Conditions That Mimic Impairment
Low blood sugar, vertigo, inner ear disorders, head injuries, or prescription medications can cause slurred speech, poor balance, confusion or tiredness—symptoms that may be mistaken for intoxication.
4. Blood Test Errors
Blood samples can be mishandled, contaminated, mislabeled, or improperly stored. Delays between driving and testing can also result in inaccurate conclusions about impairment at the time of driving.
Tennessee’s Strict DUI Laws and Their Consequences
Tennessee enforces some of the toughest DUI penalties in the country. Even a first offense can lead to:
- Arrest and jail time
- Driver’s license suspension and a hold from Tennessee even if you live in a different state
- Heavy fines and court costs
- Mandatory alcohol education programs
- Increased insurance rates
- Damage to reputation and employment prospects
For innocent drivers, these penalties can begin immediately—long before guilt or innocence is determined in court.
The Burden of Proving Innocence
In practice, a DUI arrest can often flip the presumption of innocence. Drivers may be forced to obtain a functioning interlock device as a condition to bond within cases where an accident occurred, which is mandatory by statute. Even if they are later found innocent or plead to a lesser charge, some clients have had the interlock device on their vehicle for months until they can fight their case in court. Fighting a wrongful DUI charge requires time, money, and emotional resilience—resources not everyone has.
Why Awareness Matters
Wrongful or false DUI arrests are not about excusing drunk driving; they are about fairness and accuracy. When innocent people are arrested, public trust in law enforcement and the justice system erodes. A system that punishes the innocent, even occasionally, demands scrutiny and reform.
Moving Toward Fairer DUI Enforcement
Reducing wrongful DUI arrests in Tennessee requires:
- Better training for officers on medical conditions and test limitations
- Improved standards for breathalyzer and blood testing accuracy
- Greater use of body camera footage and objective evidence
- Judicial awareness of the fallibility of sobriety testing and data supporting false DUI arrests
Conclusion
DUI laws exist to save lives, but justice requires balance and fairness. Innocent Tennesseans should not have their lives upended due to flawed testing, human error, or rushed assumptions. A safer Tennessee is one that protects both the public and the rights of those who have done nothing wrong.
If you or someone you know are facing a DUI charge, call Nicholson and Hall today.