Tennessee Criminal Lawyer Blog

As gas prices increase across the country, drivers in Tennessee should be mindful that in Tennessee, a person convicted of theft can lose the privilege to drive if the theft involved pumping gasoline at a gas station into the person's vehicle and driving away without paying for it. If you forgot to "Pay at the Pump," contact our Tennessee theft attorneys for a free case consultation. It is important to note that out-of-state drivers are not immune from the driver license suspension. Courts in Tennessee can suspend out-of-state licensed drivers non-resident driving privileges and will propmtly notify the resident's state licensing officials upon suspension.

In addition to the fine and imprisonment authorized by law for the particular theft offense, a judge may suspend the driver license of a first-time offender for up to six months. For second offenders and subsequent offenders, the license suspension is mandatory. For second offenders, the judge shall suspend the person's driver license for a six-month period. Repeat offenders, if convicted of three or more theft offenses for a gasoline drive-off, will have their driver license suspended for one year. For purposes of driver license suspension, there is no distinction between misdemeanor or felony theft of gasoline; all persons convicted of "drive off" gasoline theft are subject to driver license suspension.

If you have been charged with theft in connection with a gasoline "drive off" or other theft offense, contact our experienced Tennessee criminal defense attorneys. Our office has successfully represented individuals charged with misdemeanor and felony theft offenses.