Does Florida’s laws as to the consumption of alcohol apply outside of this state? In short, the answer is no, but there are some important caveats for Florida residents traveling out of state to keep in mind. The law in Tennessee, as to the consumption of alcohol, like the law in Florida, prohibits the operation of a motor vehicle by a person with an unlawful blood alcohol level. Tennessee prohibits the operation of a motor vehicle for individuals with a blood alcohol level over .08 levels. A BAC of .08 is the limit for drivers 21 years and older, while a BAC of .02 is the limit from drivers 21 years of age that are under this limit. Moving under the influence and driving under the influence are the same laws in Tennessee. This means that a person does not have to show any of the classic signs of intoxication; to include, but not limited, to slurred speech or loss of balance. Because the state of Tennessee accepts moving under the influence as a crime, a driver could be stopped for speeding, driving too slowly, or a procedural issue with their vehicle, such as a missing taillight, and end up facing serious misdemeanor charges for a Dui. Convictions for a Dui in Tennessee carry serious penalties, particularly for repeat offenders. Repeat convictions result in stiff minimum jail sentences as well as excessive fines totaling thousands of dollars. In addition, a conviction will result in the loss of one’s license for a minimum of one year. Just because the law in Tennessee prohibits the operation of a motor vehicle for persons under the influence of alcohol does not mean that safety is at hand for the Florida resident. For instance, having an open alcoholic beverage can also result in a citation for open container laws. Because operating a motor vehicle under the influence is a serious traffic offense, the law in Tennessee defines what kind of help the individual will get; such as assistance from an attorney. Much like the state of Florida, if a legal violation is committed in Florida, the resident of this state is not legally entitled to an attorney at state expense once he or she leaves the state. Florida residents traveling out-of-state should always review whether the jurisdiction they are heading to has any exciting laws that could get them into trouble. For example, the legal limits for alcohol consumption in Tennessee may trip up a Florida resident traveling out of town. Keep the following in mind when traveling to Tennessee: Out of state Florida residents should not assume that a State Farm policy purchased in Florida covers every state. Travel laws are a vital reason to check with your insurance policy before leaving the Sunshine State. Likewise, a Florida resident traveling to Tennessee or anywhere else should be aware that the cost of defending a Dui charge out of state may be higher for travel than a local case. When facing a charge of driving under the influence in Tennessee, there are various ways that an out-of-state resident can still achieve the best possible outcome. For example, civil litigation can be one path to resolving a case out of state. For example, an individual can hire an attorney to represent him or her at all hearings and to perform all of the acts required to defend his or her case. The out-of-state resident will not even need to appear in order to settle the pending charges. Likewise, an appeal is another way that an out-of-state resident can get legal representation outside of his or her state of residency. There are special appellate practices, and filing appeals on Dui conviction is one of the most common areas of appellate law. Many appeals can occur without the defendant ever needing to step foot in the state they are appealing the case from. Preventive law should always be an option to consider when traveling across state lines. There are many factors to think about as to whether to drive or to seek out an alternative mode of travel. Likewise, teach your children and other young adults the risks and penalties of traveling out of state when they are under the influence of alcohol or drugs.