Greenville, South Carolina DUI - DWI Lawyer

If you have been arrested for DUI, it is a major offense that can have serious repercussions, including loss of driving privileges, jail time, and monetary fines. It is imperative that anyone facing a South Carolina DUI understand what challenges they will encounter. It is very important you seek the legal advice of an accomplished and knowledgeable DUI lawyer immediately. Call today for a fast and free consultation.

Administrative Hearing

In South Carolina, an individual has 10 days to request an Administrative Hearing from the South Carolina DMV. If you fail to request a hearing within 10 days, your right to the hearing is lost, and your driver's license is automatically suspended for the applicable statutory time frame. In order to preserve your right to an administrative hearing, it is very important that you submit your request to the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles within 10 days. Contact an assertive and experienced DUI defense lawyer to help, but do not delay.

What happens if you were arrested for DUI in Greenville, South Carolina?

Under South Carolina law, once you have been cited for violating the DUI statute, the state initiates two simultaneous, yet separate legal actions against you. The criminal action is in response to the ticket that was issued to you, while the administrative action is brought against your driver's license by the South Carolina DMV. While both actions can result in the suspension of your driving privileges in South Carolina, it is important to remember that there may be more penalties to consider and each action must be handled on their own.

DUI Penalties for First Time Offenders

• Chemical Test Refusal - Refusing to submit to a test when requested by law enforcement will result in the automatic suspension of South Carolina driving privileges for 90 days.
• Alcohol Evaluation - Successful completion of a drug and alcohol program is required for reinstatement of driving privileges in South Carolina.
• South Carolina Driving Privileges and DUI - In Greenville, South Carolina, a first time DUI conviction results in the revocation of driving privileges in South Carolina for 6 months.
• Commercial Drivers - Commercial drivers are in violation of the DUI statute with a BAC (Blood Alcohol Content) level of 0.04. A first time DUI conviction will result in the loss of the commercial driver's license for 1 year, while any subsequent South Carolina DUI offenses will result in a lifetime loss of the CDL.
• Monetary Fines - In Greenville, South Carolina, fines for a first time DUI are up to $400.00.
• Chemical Test Refusal - Refusing to submit to a test when requested by law enforcement will result in the automatic suspension of South Carolina driving privileges for 90 days.

Implied Consent:

According to South Carolina Code, SECTION 56-5-2950 there is Implied consent to testing for alcohol or drugs; procedures; inference of DUI.

(A) A person who drives a motor vehicle in this State is considered to have given consent to chemical tests of his breath, blood, or urine for the purpose of determining the presence of alcohol or drugs or the combination of alcohol and drugs if arrested for an offense arising out of acts alleged to have been committed while the person was driving a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or a combination of alcohol and drugs. A breath test must be administered at the direction of a law enforcement officer who has arrested a person for driving a motor vehicle in this State while under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or a combination of alcohol and drugs. ...

All DUI Costs

Costs for DUI go beyond what you pay in fines. Here are other ways you may pay...

• Tow/Impound Fee
• DUI - DWI Treatment Program
• Auto Insurance Increase
• Restitution Fund
• DMV Reissue Fee

Subsequent DUI Offenses

Penalties are increasingly more severe for any additional DUI violations. Due to the complexity of DUI laws in South Carolina, you may not be aware of options and rights. This is why a capable and experienced criminal defense lawyer can guide you through this emotionally challenging process. Please contact a South Carolina DUI / DWI lawyer for a consultation.

Disclaimer: The information you obtain at this site is not, nor is it intended to be, legal advice. You should consult an attorney for advice regarding your individual situation. We invite you to contact us and welcome your calls, letters and electronic mail. Contacting us does not create an attorney-client relationship. Please do not send any confidential information to us until such time as an attorney-client relationship has been established.