Myrtle Beach, South Carolina DWI - DUI Criminal Defense Attorney

What happens if you were arrested for DUI in Myrtle Beach, 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 Department of Motor Vehicles in South Carolina. While both actions can result in the suspension of your driving privileges, it is important to remember that there may be more penalties to consider and each action must be handled on its own.

Being charged with DUI in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina can have major consequences, including fines, jail time, and loss of driving privileges. It is imperative that anyone facing a South Carolina DUI charge understand what challenges they will encounter. It is very important you seek the legal advice of a capable and skilled DUI lawyer immediately. Call today for a free, professional consultation.

South Carolina DUI or DWI Administrative Hearing

Pursuant to South Carolina law, an individual has 10 days to request an Administrative Hearing from the Department of Motor Vehicles in South Carolina. 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 DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles) within 10 days. Contact a competent and knowledgeable DUI criminal defense attorney to help, but do not delay.

DUI Penalties for First Time Offenders

• Alcohol Evaluation - Successful completion of a drug and alcohol program is required for reinstatement of driving privileges.
• Monetary Fines - Fines for a first time DUI in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina are up to $400.00.
• Commercial Drivers - Commercial drivers are in violation of the DUI statute with a BAC (blood-alcohol concentration) 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 DUI offenses will result in a lifetime loss of the commercial license.
• Chemical Test Refusal - Refusing to submit to a test when requested by law enforcement will result in the automatic suspension of driving privileges in South Carolina for 90 days.
• South Carolina Driving Privileges and DUI - In Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, a first time DUI conviction results in the revocation of driving privileges for 6 months.
• Time in Jail - In Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, a first time DUI offender faces jail time of 48 hours, up to 30 days.

Subsequent DUI Offenses

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

All DUI Costs

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

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

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. ...

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.