Tennessee Supreme Court Rules on DUI Convictions and Probations

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WDEF)- The Tennessee Supreme Court has ruled those convicted of vehicular homicide while intoxicated are ineligible for probation.

The ruling upholds a 2017 amendment to the Tennessee state code that was created to force those who kill while drunk driving to serve more time in prison.

The Court listened to a case that came out of Nashville where Ebony Robinson pleaded guilty to hitting two minors with her car, killing one.

She was sentenced to 15 years in prison for multiple charges but had been placed on probation by the trial court due to being eligible for split confinement.

For those like Tiki Findlayson, who lost her son Kevin that was caused by a drunk driver on Highway 153 in 2011, this ruling is personal.

She now speaks out on the dangers of drunk driving for her organization 1N3, and she hopes to see stronger punishments for those who kill while offending.

Findlayson said, “If people know that, “If I just get a DUI and I’m going to have to spend this amount of time in jail and I’m going to have this kind of fine and I’m going to lose my license, all of these consequences, I think it would make people think twice.”

Robinson will have to serve the remainder of her sentence due to the ruling.

A person convicted of a Class B Felony vehicular homicide could serve as much as 8 to 30 years in prison.

You can read the Court’s opinion here.