Drennan Law Firm Dui & Traffic Law Center
Fines for driving under the influence are extremely high in South Carolina, which is meant to be a deterrent. Unfortunately, some people are falsely accused and may even end up being convicted despite not driving while intoxicated.
The fines range from $400 up to $6,300, but those aren't all that add up. There are also assessments and surcharges.
You went out for drinks with your friends when you turned 21. The college has a dry campus, but you decided that it would be fine to bring a few drinks back with you. You had one drink the entire night, so you drove your friends around to party.
Later that evening, you all went out to your vehicle and hopped in. You were thinking about going out to the local bars. Unfortunately, on your way off the campus, you ended up hitting someone on a bicycle when they suddenly entered the roadway.
One of the impacts of a drunk driving conviction in South Carolina is that you can lose your ability to drive legally. A drivers' license suspension is one of the primary sentences that you can receive. Some individuals might not realize that there may be options that you can utilize to enable you to drive in a limited capacity.
The exact type of license you're eligible for depends on several factors. Your attorney can help determine if you may qualify for one. Knowing the differences between them is beneficial so you understand what you can do.
South Carolina has some strict laws against drunk driving. The tiered system increases the penalties with each subsequent conviction. These include time in jail, fines, community service, alcohol treatment programs, ignition interlock device installation and several other options.
It is up to the court to decide what is appropriate for a person who's convicted, but there are minimums that apply to most convictions. There are also penalties for refusing to take a chemical test if one is requested.
Being able to drive is essential for many day-to-day activities. It gives you the freedom to see friends, take vacations and go to shopping malls. But it's likely that you'll depend on your car for one thing in particular -- going to work and earning an income.
Therefore, if you are facing DUI charges, you'll probably be concerned with the effect that these charges could have on your future. You may have heard horror stories about friends of friends who have lost their jobs, and in turn their homes and their spouses, due to a DUI charge. There are several reasons why a DUI can lead to a job loss, and the following is an overview of the main reasons.
Many drivers believe that they will only be pulled over and subjected to a Breathalyzer test if they are found to be driving recklessly. Therefore, some drivers engage in illegal drunk driving because they are overly confident in their driving abilities. However, if you are driving while over the legal alcohol limit, you should know that you can be pulled over even if you are not driving erratically.
There are many ways in which law enforcement officials can pull over a driver and ask them to take a Breathalyzer test. In some cases, it is lawful to initiate a Breathalyzer test without making a traffic stop due to having a reasonable suspicion of intoxication. The following is an overview of the ways in which DUI traffic stops can be made.
A DUI can be devastating for you and anyone else who is impacted by it. As someone who is normally very responsible, the idea that you have been accused of drinking and driving and causing a crash is hurtful.
The officer at the scene took your breath test and claimed that it was .06%. You had been in a crash, but he made you do the field sobriety tests anyway. You failed them, struggling to balance yourself.
Some people think of a drunk driving conviction as something that's a minor event. This isn't the case, especially when you start to add up the financial impact that comes with it. If you're facing a drunk driving charge, you should think carefully about all the possible impacts that you're going to have to deal with because of the legal matter.
While each case is unique, there are some general guidelines about what you can expect to pay out of pocket for a drunk driving case. Typically, the overall estimate is that this type of case will cost you at least $10,000 in South Carolina for a first offense.
You love this time of year, because you can start going out onto the water again. Boating is something that makes you feel relaxed. You love bringing along friends and family members, so you can all hang out on the water. You can swim, fish and have a generally great time together.
One thing that you should know is that you can face a DUI for being intoxicated while driving your boat. While boaters often do drink on board, South Carolina's laws prohibit operating sailboats, motorboats or jet skis while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Memorial day is approaching on May 25, and with it comes the risk of DUI crashes. South Carolina's authorities take this risk seriously, often setting up sobriety checkpoints and sending out additional patrols throughout the Memorial Day weekend.
Did you know that the National Safety Council believes that Memorial Day weekend is the most deadly holiday for car crashes? In 2019, the safety council estimated that at least 380 people would be killed on the roadways. Many of those incidents could have involved alcohol.
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Speak with a Charleston criminal lawyer today who will work with you directly, one-on-one.
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843-352-4149 or email us to schedule a meeting or for prompt legal assistance.
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