DUI Defense Strategies
Stop Worrying – Get Your South Carolina DUI Defense Started Now!
Experts on the human condition have identified five common stages of grief that people often experience in the face of trouble or loss. If you have been charged with driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, you may go through a series of predictable reactions to your difficulties:
- Denial: “I didn’t do it. This didn’t really happen. There must be a mistake. I refuse to face the facts.”
- Anger: “Why me? Why not one of those really dangerous drunk drivers? Why were those cops just pulling people over without good reasons? It’s not fair! I knew I shouldn’t have been at the wheel, anyway! How outrageous!”
- Depression: “My life is ruined. Nothing I can do will rescue this terrible situation. I may as well give up now.”
- Problem solving: “What is the best course of action starting now? How can I keep my driving privileges and increase my chances of avoiding a criminal record? Where can I find a trustworthy lawyer to advocate on my behalf?”
- Acceptance of the situation: “Many people who never expected to be arrested on suspicion of drunk driving have been as shocked as I was when it happened. I intend to put this behind me and find a way forward. Tomorrow will be better than today.”
Avoid a DUI Conviction
Regardless of where you are in your response to a drunk driving arrest, the time to take action to protect your future is today! Let our attorneys go to work as soon as possible to:
- Protect or restore your driving privileges: Prevent or reverse a driver’s license suspension or revocation. Keep your personal or commercial driver’s license in good standing.
- Prevent the damaging consequences of a criminal record. The sooner you act, the more options you and your lawyer will have to keep your record clean.
Know What to Consider as a DUI Defense Strategy
Field sobriety tests are touted as being consistent indicators of intoxication. However, as we discussed in a previous blog post, there are some reasons why these tests might not be accurate. This is something that you might be able to call into question when you are facing a drunk driving charge.
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We understand that you might feel this is something that is useless to fight. This isn’t at all the case. There are many defense options that you may consider in a driving under the influence (DUI) case. These vary from one case to another, but you can review each option with us so that you have the information you need to make the best decision about the direction your case will take.
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Make sure that you are paying attention to what is going on when you are pulled over. The defense options that you have include questioning the reason you were pulled over initially. Everything that happens from that point on can affect the defense you ultimately use. We can walk through all of this with you.
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There are many different ways that drunk driving charges might impact your life. You should consider each one in order to determine how you will address it. You might face time in jail, hefty fines and mandatory classes if you are convicted of drunk driving in South Carolina.
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One of these is the loss of your driver’s license. You might be able to take steps to appeal this charge, but you will need to take action quickly since there are very strict requirements for administrative appeals.
Learn What You Can do to Protect Yourself in a Drunk Driving Case
Field sobriety tests can impact your drunk driving case. This isn’t the only thing that can impact the case. In fact, everything that you do leading up to the traffic stop through the final disposition of your case can have an impact on what happens.
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We know that you might not realize what kind of impact your actions can have on your case. If you are truly intoxicated, you might not be able to think clearly about the future. This is only human, so you shouldn’t feel bad about it.
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Of course, we want to help you to do everything that we can to preserve your defense options. In order for us to do this, we need you to know your rights and how to invoke them. This is especially important when it comes to your right to remain silent and your right to have an attorney present when you are being interrogated.
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You might want to explain your side of the story. You might be tempted to “go off” when you are pulled over. In both of these cases, following what you want to do could spell trouble for your defense.
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Even if you do forget to invoke your rights, you will still have defense options. We will review your case carefully to let you know what options you have. You might be surprised at what options might be appropriate for your case. Of course, you are in the driver’s seat for your case. We can only work with what you are willing to have us do, so think carefully as we discuss your options with you.
Build a Defense to Try to Reduce the Impact of a DUI
DUIs are some of the most frustrating charges to face. If you end up with a conviction, they can have lasting consequences for a mistake that you made only a single time.
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The consequences of DUIs extend far past fines and possible time in jail or a substance abuse program. They can lead to:
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- Trouble with your job, and potentially being fired from it
- The need for an expensive ignition interlock device
- Higher insurance coverage costs
- Disagreements in your family
- Trouble paying bills
- A loss of financial supports at school, like in college
If you face a DUI, the best thing you can do for yourself is to work with your attorney on building up a defense. No two cases are alike, and there may be things that can be done to minimize the impact of a DUI, even if you are convicted.
Are there alternatives penalties for DUIs?
While you might end up with a DUI, there are sometimes alternative penalties you can choose. For example, a first-time offender might be able to have the charges dropped if they agree to go through a substance abuse treatment program. You should speak with your attorney about any alternatives that may be open to you in your case, especially if this is your first offense.
How can you defend yourself against a DUI charge?
Some things that might help you defend against a DUI charge include:
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- Proving that you have a medical condition that made you appear intoxicated when you were not
- Showing that the blood alcohol concentration the officer came up with could not have been accurate (for example, by showing the two test results were too different to be accurate)
- Indicating that the test was performed inappropriately. For instance, if you burp or have indigestion during the test, the officer should wait for the required time period before testing you again.
- Showing that the results were a false positive due to using alcohol-based mouthwash or other similar items
- Showing that the traffic stop was illegal
Our South Carolina DUI attorneys will talk to you about other methods for building a defense and helping you have the charges dismissed or reduced. It’s important to take the time to build a defense, because being proven guilty is likely to have an impact on your life. Focus on what you can do to reduce the penalties, and you’ll see that the DUI may be less likely to impact you in the long term with the right negotiations.
DUI Defense Plans are Time Sensitive, so Act Quickly
You never know when you might face a drunk driving charge. Anytime you get behind the wheel of a vehicle, have the keys and have been drinking, you might end up in the backseat of a police car. We understand that this might not be what you want to hear, but it is important that you think carefully about what you are doing if you are heading out to drink.
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It is possible to face a charge for trying to sleep off alcohol if you are in a vehicle in a driveway. This is only one of the possibilities. The same is true if you are in a parking lot or anywhere else, as long as you in the driver’s seat with the keys.
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Obviously, one of the best things that you can do to avoid facing drunk driving charges is to avoid getting behind the wheel when you know you’ve been drinking. Even if you think that you are fine to drive home, it is best to just not do that.
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We understand that things might happen and you may face this charge. If this is what happened to you, we are here to help you learn about your defense options. We can also help you to address the administrative penalties that you are facing.
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It is imperative that you act quickly since there are very strict time limits that come with some of the possibilities. Don’t miss out on a DUI defense plan that could help you just because you tried to ignore the charge.
Fight a DUI to Protect Your Right to Drive, Work, & Learn
You’re young, and while you’re just old enough to drink legally, the full implications of getting caught and facing charges hasn’t really been made clear to you. You are still in school and don’t work, so your DUI might not impact you right away. However, there are some ways that a conviction could seriously hurt your future career, your schooling today and your chances of obtaining a job in the future.
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DUIs are serious because of the risks drunk drivers pose to others. If you’re caught with a blood alcohol content over .08%, you can expect the authorities to do what they can to get charges against you. You can expect the prosecution to attempt to obtain a conviction, even if this is your first offense.
What happens if you’re convicted of a DUI?
If you’re convicted, you may face a few problems. To start with, a conviction invalidates your right to federal loans. That means that you may lose the funding you need to go to school.
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Another thing to consider is that a DUI could cause you to lose your spot in certain programs. Medical schools, pharmacy programs and other licensed fields may not allow you to continue with a DUI on your record. Every university is going to have its own rules on this, but it’s best to fight the charges to avoid the conviction that could end your career before it begins.
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Finally, if you do need to work in the summer or on school breaks, you may no longer be able to. You could lose your job due to your DUI, or you could lose your license and be unable to get to work. Both put you in a bad position where you struggle to get the financial support you need.
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On top of all this, DUIs are expensive. The total cost of a DUI in South Carolina is between $7,772 and $10,172 for a first-time offense. There is a $400 minimum fine and penalties that cost hundreds. The estimated increase in auto insurance alone is between $3,600 and $6,000.
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If you face a DUI, the last thing you should do is ignore the trials ahead of you. Our South Carolina dui defense lawyers will help you prepare a defense and look into all aspects of your case to make sure you’re treated fairly. You should always do your best to defend your rights, so you can lessen the impact of this DUI.
Providing Tough DUI Defense Throughout South Carolina
At Drennan Law Firm, we are very understanding of our clients’ worries and fears. As you grapple with your concerns, we can offer reassurance. We are ready to take action to protect your rights and your future. We may challenge the validity of the traffic stop or the results of the breath test. We can get your defense on the road right away!
We know that many people charged with drunk driving are actually innocent. We also know that many drivers have had their constitutional rights violated in the process of a traffic stop and arrest. Time and again, our Charleston DUI defense attorney proves the power of our legal system to protect the rights of people accused of drunk driving.
Our DUI defense lawyers offer FREE DUI case evaluations. We urge you to contact us as soon as possible to increase your chances of a successful outcome in your South Carolina DUI case.