Criminal Law I know what it takes to win your case.
A DUI conviction in South Carolina results in a fine and license suspension. But our firm knows what it takes to mount a successful defense to help avoid that harsh outcome.
In South Carolina, driving under the influence (DUI) is defined as driving with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of .08% or higher or while under the influence of any drug, intoxicant or alcohol. A driver is considered “under the influence” if his or her abilities to drive are materially impaired. If a driver is under 21 years of age, the state employs what it calls a “zero tolerance” law for DUIs, meaning a person with a BAC of .02% or higher is considered “under the influence”.
When an individual is pulled over for suspicion of driving under the influence, an officer may ask the driver to submit to a breathalyzer test. In South Carolina, drivers give the state (and its officers) implied consent to be subjected to breath, urine or blood alcohol testing. That does not mean that a driver must perform those tests. You legally may refuse to take these tests. Refusing, however, does have consequences. There still may be probable cause for an arrest. Additionally, the state imposes a mandatory six-month suspension of a driver’s license for refusing to take a breathalyzer test.
At a minimum, you can expect to face a fine and have your license suspended if you’re convicted of a DUI in South Carolina. If it’s not your first offense, you can expect your fine and length of license suspension to increase. Additionally, you may be required to install an ignition interlock device (IID) on your vehicle.
Still, any individual accused of driving under the influence, whether they failed or didn’t submit to a field test, is innocent until proven guilty. That individual, however, needs someone with experience evaluating and handling the serious charges. For starters, there are critical deadlines for filing that must be met. If they aren’t, your rights can be lost. On top of that, the evidence must be evaluated in order to give you an honest outlook of your case. If you’re charged with a DUI, I’ll help make sure your rights are protected and that your life doesn’t fall into disarray.