Davidson County DUI Court Process
Complete guide to arraignment, court dates, plea options, and what to expect during your DUIcase in Davidson County.
Court Information
Davidson County Criminal Court
Court Day Checklist
Required Documents
Day-Of Reminders
Tip: Screenshot or print this checklist. Check items off as you prepare the night before.
Court Process Timeline
Arraignment
First court appearance, typically within 24-48 hours after arrest.
What Happens:
- Judge reads charges against you
- You enter initial plea (usually Not Guilty)
- Bail is set or reviewed
- Next court date is scheduled
- Public defender appointed if needed
Pre-Trial Hearings
Multiple court dates over 2-6 months where your attorney negotiates with prosecutors.
Attorney Activities:
- Review police reports and evidence
- File motions to suppress evidence
- Challenge breathalyzer/blood test results
- Negotiate plea bargains
- Discuss diversion program eligibility
Plea Bargain or Trial
Most DUI cases (over 90%) resolve through plea bargaining, not trial.
Plea Bargain Benefits
- • Reduced charges
- • Lighter sentence
- • Certainty of outcome
- • Lower costs
Trial Risks
- • Maximum sentence if convicted
- • Higher legal fees
- • Uncertainty
- • Time consuming
Sentencing
Judge determines penalties based on the plea agreement or trial verdict. Sentences may include fines, probation, jail time, license suspension, IID, SCRAM monitoring, and/or DUI classes.
Top Rated Davidson County DUI Attorneys
When facing a DUI charge in Davidson County, finding local, experienced representation is critical. Below are DUI defense attorneys serving Davidson County, TN; paid listings are advertisements and ratings are from Google.
These are free, unclaimed business listings compiled from public sources. They have not been verified or reviewed by DUI Guide, are not paid advertisements, and listing order does not reflect quality or recommendation. Is this your business? You can claim your listing for free.
Ridings Law Group, P.C.
★ 5.0 (115) on GoogleLaw Office of Bryan Stephenson
★ 5.0 (77) on GoogleLadner Criminal Defense & DUI Lawyer Nashville
★ 4.9 (118) on GoogleThe Law Office of David von Wiegandt
★ 4.9 (107) on GoogleLaw Office of Lucas B. Willoughby
★ 4.9 (63) on GoogleDon't Face This Alone
A DUI attorney can make the difference between a conviction and a dismissal, between jail time and probation. They know local judges, prosecutors, and can challenge evidence that you might not even know is challengeable.
Find Davidson County DUI AttorneysFrequently Asked Questions
Nearly every DUI case in Davidson County starts at the Justice A.A. Birch Building, 408 2nd Avenue North, a high-security courthouse where General Sessions courtrooms fill the 3rd, 4th, and 5th floors. Getting inside means clearing metal detectors and X-ray screening, and the rules once you're through are specific: cell phones are generally allowed in the building if silenced, but using one inside an actual courtroom can get it confiscated on the judge's order. Firearms, knives of any length, pepper spray, tools, and glass bottles are all confiscated at the door.
Dress code enforcement is strict enough to turn people away. Halter tops, tank tops, shorts, exposed midriffs, sagging pants, hats other than religious head coverings, flip-flops, and clothing with offensive language are all grounds for a bailiff to deny entry — not just to the courtroom, but to the building.
The court runs 11 divisions, each with its own judge: Gale Robinson (I), Melissa Blackburn (II), Ana Escobar (III), Allegra Walker (IV), Robin Hayes (Presiding, V), Jim Todd (VI), Marcus Floyd (VII), Rachel Bell (VIII), Lynda Jones (IX), Sam Coleman (X), and John Aaron Holt (XI). Which floor a hearing lands on depends on custody status: the Bond Docket, for defendants out on release, runs Monday through Friday on the 4th and 5th floors, while the Jail Docket for defendants still in custody runs separately on the 3rd floor, keeping transport and security contained.
A few dockets are worth knowing by name. The State Traffic Docket sits Wednesdays at 8:30 a.m. in Courtroom 5D. Judge Blackburn also presides over Mental Health/Veterans Court in Courtroom 3B, a diversionary track worth asking about for anyone whose DUI is tied to PTSD or another service-related condition.