Your Trusted
Protecting Your Rights and Your Future Across East Tennessee
Don't make a costly hiring decision before talking with me!
You’ll walk away from your free consultation with:
Even if you decide to work with another attorney, you’ll leave with valuable clarity about your options and a stronger understanding of how to fight your DUI.
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.
In Tennessee, General Sessions Court has limited jurisdiction, but it has full authority to resolve misdemeanor cases, including DUI. While felony charges cannot be fully adjudicated in this court, it regularly conducts preliminary hearings for both misdemeanor and felony cases to determine whether there is probable cause to send a case to the Grand Jury for possible indictment in Criminal or Circuit Court.
The probable cause standard at this stage is significantly lower than the beyond a reasonable doubt standard used at trial, making dismissals at the preliminary hearing level rare but not impossible. Additionally, because discovery rights are limited in General Sessions Court, crucial evidence that could support dismissal may not even be disclosed by the prosecution. Even when a case is dismissed at this stage, prosecutors can still seek an indictment from a Grand Jury, effectively reviving the case.
Given these realities, my fee structure is based on the average amount of work and time required to effectively defend you in General Sessions Court, including:
In East-Tennessee, criminal defense attorneys charge an average hourly rate of $280, with some as high as $500 per hour. If your case takes 20-25 hours of work you could pay $7,000 to $12,500 for General Sessions alone!
Rather than unpredictable hourly billing, I offer a flat fee starting at $4,500 for a DUI 1st Offense--a transparent, affordable, and competitive rate for experienced, aggressive DUI defense. *Your quoted fee may vary based on your specific facts or additional charges.
I have worked diligently to acquire the knowledge and expertise needed to challenge every phase of a DUI case. Let me provide you with a free case evaluation today, and together, we can start fighting your DUI.
Few offenses in the criminal justice system demand greater attorney expertise than those involving driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol. DUI cases are uniquely complex, requiring defense counsel to navigate legal issues such as search and seizure, due process, illegal interrogation, denial of counsel, and evidentiary challenges. These legal aspects intersect with scientific disciplines like anatomy, biology, chemistry, physiology, and toxicology, as well as pseudo-scientific areas such as field sobriety testing.
After more than 30 years of military and commercial helicopter flying, in 2018, Dan decided to leave aviation and pursue his true lifelong dream of becoming a criminal defense attorney. He attended Lincoln Memorial University Law School, where he graduated with honors.
After successfully passing the TN Bar and receiving his license, Dan joined The Garza Law Firm, one of East-Tennessee’s highest-rated criminal defense firms. For three years, Dan dedicated himself to gaining invaluable experience in criminal defense representation and completed numerous educational courses, specifically in DUI defense and trial representation, preparing himself to provide the highest level of service to his clients.
His hard work has paid off, as Dan has been voted by his peers as a City View Top Attorney in DUI Defense and Criminal Defense in 2022 and 2024.
If you need expert legal representation, don’t hesitate to contact me today. I am committed to protecting your rights and providing personalized guidance through every step of your legal journey. Schedule a free consultation to discuss your case and discover how I can help you achieve the best possible outcome.
Navigating the aftermath of a DUI charge can be an intimidating and emotional experience, especially as Knoxville and surrounding areas see an increasing number of sobriety checkpoints aimed at tackling drunk driving. Law enforcement has intensified ...
