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James Richie Owen
also known as James R. Owen
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About James
Biography
James R. Owen has successfully defended more than 3000 DUI cases in East Tennessee and Knox County.
Knoxville Criminal Defense Attorney. Call Now For A Free Phone Consultation.
James Owen has successfully defended thousands of DUI/DWI cases in Knox County and East Tennessee.
Experienced, aggressive, result driven criminal defense lawyer in State and Federal Court.
Protecting the future of your child is my highest priority.
Keep those points off your license. Hire an experienced speeding ticket lawyer.
Experienced Aggressive Criminal Defense Lawyer
Experienced Aggressive Criminal Defense Lawyer
Practice Areas
8
Practice Areas
DUI and DWI
40%
28 years | 5,000 cases
Criminal Defense
25%
28 years | 5,000 cases
Violent Crime
10%
28 years | 1,000 cases
Domestic Violence
5%
28 years | 1,000 cases
Fees and Rates
Cost
Payment Methods
- Cash
- Check
- Credit Card
Awards
2024 2023 2021
...
+
7
Licenses
Licensed in Tennessee for 28 years
State: Tennessee
Acquired: 1997
No misconduct found
Location
Gallery
James Richie Owen's Reviews
Showing 1 - 5 of 103 client reviews from Avvo
Posted by Alfred | November 16, 2025 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Alfred
One of the greatest attorneys I ever known I was involved in an accident that it was not my fault and Mr. Owen got my ticket dismissed. He’s very professional and gets the job done. Anybody needs an attorney called this guy you will not regret it. Thank you again, Mr. James Owen you are my hero.
Posted by anonymous | May 23, 2025 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Successful representation
I’m really happy that the attorney could represent me to the court and get a very good result.
Posted by anonymous | December 4, 2024 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Helped juvenile with speeding ticket
Hired Mr. Owen to help my kid after a speeding ticket. He worked with the judge and my child and got it dismissed. Easy to work with and staff was responsive. Highly recommend!
Posted by Sam | August 16, 2024 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Great representation
James and Jody treat you like family and I can’t say enough great things about them. They took care of my case and I was cleared of all charges.
Posted by Cierrah | July 12, 2024 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
5 stars
I hired James Owen for a dui case in East tn and I am so thankful a friend recommended him! He is incredibly knowledgeable. He told me not to worry he’ll take care of everything and he did! I was never left questioning and I was always in the loop. I’m so thankful for all of his help with my case.
James Richie Owen's Lawyer Endorsements
"I endorse this lawyer. Mr. Owen is a highly intelligent and aggressive trial lawyer. He is very experienced and among the toughest in the courtroom. The representation you will receive from him is top notch."
"I endorse James Owen. I have seen James in court for his clients many times, and he is an experienced, knowledgeable, and well-respected attorney who works hard to zealously advocate for his clients. I would be pleased to recommend him to my own clients for consideration whenever the need arose for his criminal defense expertise."
"I have seen Mr. Owen in action and he zealously represents his clients and consistently receives positive results for them. I wholeheartedly endorse him."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer."
Alexandra Gonzalez-Waddington
Criminal defense lawyer | Oct 13
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer. As a member of the DUIDLA, Mr. Owen is committed to excellence in defending DUI cases."
"Highly respected and overall a great attorney. I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"James is a highly skilled and respected lawyer"
"I endorse this lawyer. As a fellow member of DUIDLA, I can attest that this lawyer knows how to defend his clients. Education, passion, and hard work."
"James and I attended the NHTSA DUI Standardized Field Sobriety Training together as well as the TACDL DUI seminar. His knowledge of DUI law is second to none. Not only is James an excellent attorney but he is also a great person who is easy to talk to. I have no doubt that any client faced with criminal charges is in good hands with James."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I had the fantastic opportunity to work with James early in my legal career. James is passionate about providing quality legal representation to his Clients."
"James is a fantastic lawyer who has the experience and know-how to accomplish amazing results for his clients. You will have a hard time finding a better, more likeable attorney to handle your defense."
"I endorse this lawyer. Attorney Owen has handled thousands of DUI cases in Knox County as well as general criminal cases over the years. His extensive exposure to the court system in Knox County through his years as a former public defender have also made him very familiar with all the judges and prosecutors and with what can be done with a case."
"James and I have handled cases together and I have had the opportunity to see him in action many times in DUI Court. James had handled thousands of DUI cases during his career in Knoxville and Knox County. He takes the time to help his clients understand what they are up against, goes through the evidence against them with a fine-toothed comb, and isn't afraid to take them to trial. He is well-respected by the judges and prosecutors. He is worth every penny of his fee."
Nathaniel Ogle
Criminal defense lawyer
Brett Stokes
Litigation lawyer
Autumn Bowling
Litigation lawyer
Jedidiah McKeehan
Family lawyer
James Ammons
Federal crime lawyer
Gregory Isaacs
Federal crime lawyer
Jason Collver
Personal injury lawyer
Ali Ebrahimzadeh
Criminal defense lawyer
Stephen McGrath
Criminal defense lawyer
Alexandra Gonzalez-Waddington
Military law lawyer
Douglas Aaron
DUI and DWI lawyer
Federico Flores
Criminal defense lawyer
Jim Owen
Criminal defense lawyer
Joseph Scrofano
DUI and DWI lawyer
Christian Samuelson
DUI and DWI lawyer
Joseph Lazzara
DUI and DWI lawyer
Nathan Johnson
DUI and DWI lawyer
Rhidian Orr
DUI and DWI lawyer
Whitney Polson
DUI and DWI lawyer
Nathan Dineen
DUI and DWI lawyer
Experience
Honors
2018
BV Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
2018
Top 100 Lawyers, American Society of Legal Advocates
2017
BV Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
2017
ASLA Top 100 Lawyer, American Society of Legal Advocates
2017
Top Ten DUI/DWI Attorney, American Institute of Legal Counsel
2017
Superior DWI Attorney, National Advocacy for DUI Defense
2016
High Professional Achievement and High Ethical Standing, Martindale-Hubbell
2016
Top Ten DUI/DWI Attorney, American Institute of Legal Counsel
2015
Top Attorney, CityView Magazine
2014
Certified DWI Detection and Standardized Field Sobriety Testing, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
Work Experience
2016 - Present
Owner, Owen Law Firm
2015 - Present
Founding Board Member and Secretary, Friends of Knox County Recovery Court, Inc.
2014 - 2016
Attorney, The Garza Law Firm, PLLC
1997 - 2014
Supervisor for DUI Court Lawyers, Knox County Public Defender Community Law Office
1995 - 1997
Law Clerk, Law Office of William F. Travis
Associations
2017 - Present
National Advocacy for DUI DefenseSuperior DUI Defense
2017 - Present
National Academy of Criminal Defense AttorneysTop Attorney
2016 - Present
American Society of Legal AdvocatesMember
2016 - Present
American Institute of DUI/DWI AttorneysTop Attorney
2016 - Present
American Institute of DUI/DWI AttorneysMemeber
2015 - Present
Friends of Knox County Recovery CourtFounding Member
2015 - Present
Friends of Knox County Recovery CourtSecretary
2014 - Present
DUI Defense Lawyers AssociationMember
2007 - Present
Knoxville Bar AssociationMember
1997 - Present
Tennessee Association of Criminal Defense LawyersMember
Sample of Legal Cases
State Of Tennessee versus Davis
Appeal dismissed in favor of the Defendant
State of Tennessee v. J.M.
DUI charge reduced to Public Intoxication, 30 days unsupervised probation.
State of Tennessee v. F.S.
Case dismissed at motion to suppress because Tennessee law states that a red light violation does not occur when the driver enters the intersection on yellow.
State of Tennessee v. B.L.
Not guilty after trial.
Education
1997
University of Memphis - Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law
JD - Juris Doctor
1994
East Tennessee State University
BS - Bachelor of Science
Speaking Engagements
2013
Mock Trial Competion Judge
Trial Advocacy
2011
CLO New Lawyer Training Session
Introduction to DUI practice in Knox County
2006
UT Legal Clinic
Juvenile Court Practice
Publications
2015
City View
Top Attorneys
Languages
English
Activity
Legal Answers
Legal Guides
Legal Answers
Q&A
How is court going to go
31 Jan 2018
Q&A
What penalty can i expect?
02 Dec 2017
Q&A
Can I get a DUI if I said I drove but wasn't caught anywhere around my car or keys?
15 Nov 2017