Jeff Burtka

Attorney · George Mason University Law School

Jeff Burtka joined the Nolo staff as a Legal Editor in 2023 and focuses on DUI and estate planning law.  

Legal career. Jeff is a member of the State Bar of Michigan. He began his legal career as a law clerk to the judges of the Arlington County Circuit Court in Virginia. He then served as a prosecutor for six years before working in health care law and estate planning. Immediately before joining Nolo, Jeff was a staff attorney at the Institute of Continuing Legal Education in Michigan, where he wrote and edited legal education resources for Michigan attorneys.

Education. Jeff has a bachelor’s degree in English and history from the University of Michigan and a law degree from George Mason University.

Other pursuits. Jeff also has worked as a freelance writer with a focus on articles about sports, the outdoors, and the environment. His articles, such as  How a majority Black school in Detroit shook up the world of lacrosse, have appeared in The Guardian, Outside, Crain’s Detroit Business, Civil Eats, and more. He enjoys running, coaching youth sports, and spending time outdoors.


Articles by Jeff Burtka

Tennessee’s DUI Implied Consent Laws and Refusing a Blood or Breath Test
Tennessee’s implied consent law specifies that any person who operates a vehicle within the state is deemed to have consented to a breath test to determine the driver’s BAC.
Tennessee's Boating Under the Influence (BUI) Laws and Penalties
Tennessee's boating under the influence rules and the penalties you'll face for a BUI conviction, including fines, jail time, and boating privilege suspension.
Tennessee's DUI Laws and Penalties for a Conviction
In Tennessee, you can be convicted of DUI for operating a vehicle with a BAC of .08% or more or while impaired by drugs or alcohol. The penalties depend on how many prior DUI convictions you have.
North Carolina’s Boating Under the Influence (BUI) Laws and Penalties
North Carolina's boating under the influence laws and the penalties you'll face for an intoxicated boating conviction, like fines and jail time.
Getting Limited Driving Privileges After License Suspension in North Carolina
When your license gets suspended for a DWI or another traffic violation in North Carolina, it’s often possible to obtain a restricted license for driving under limited circumstances.
First-Offense DWI in North Carolina
Read about the administrative and criminal penalties for a first-offense DWI in North Carolina, including jail time, fines, and license suspension.
Second-Offense DWI in North Carolina
Read about the administrative and criminal penalties for a second-offense DWI in North Carolina, including jail time, fines, and license suspension.
Third-Offense DWI in North Carolina
For a Third North Carolina DWI in seven years, a driver will normally face jail time, fines, and license suspension
North Carolina’s DWI Implied Consent Law and Blood and Breath Test
Drivers who are lawfully arrested for driving while impaired and refuse a breathalyzer or blood alcohol test face license suspension in North Carolina.
North Carolina DWI Laws and Penalties
All DWI convictions carry a mandatory substance abuse assessment, followed by the recommended treatment or rehabilitative course. The judge can permit time completed in inpatient treatment to count towards required jail time.