DUI Criminal Defense Lawyer - North Charleston, South Carolina
South Carolina Administrative Hearing
Pursuant to South Carolina law, an individual has 10 days to request an Administrative Hearing from the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles. If you fail to request a hearing within 10 days, your right to the hearing is lost, and your license is automatically suspended for the applicable statutory time frame. In order to preserve your right to an administrative hearing, it is imperative that you submit your request to the Department of Motor Vehicles in South Carolina within 10 days. Contact an accomplished and professional DUI criminal defense lawyer to help, but do not delay.
What happens if I was arrested for DUI in North Charleston?
Pursuant to South Carolina law, once you have been cited for violating the DUI statute, the state initiates two separate, yet simultaneous legal actions against you. There is a criminal action in response to the ticket that was issued to you, and an administrative action is brought against your license by the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles. Both actions can result in the suspension of your driving privileges in South Carolina, but it is imperative to remember that there may be more penalties to consider. Also, each action must be handled on its own.Contact a South Carolina DUI criminal defense lawyer today for a fast, free consultation.
Being arrested for DUI in North Charleston, South Carolina can have serious consequences, including loss of driving privileges, jail time, and monetary fines. It is important that anyone facing a South Carolina DUI charge understand what challenges they will encounter. It is imperative you seek the legal advice of an assertive and knowledgeable DUI defense lawyer immediately. Call today for a free consultation.
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 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 North Charleston, 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 Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) 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 North Charleston, 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 driving privileges for 90 days.
DUI Costs
Costs for DUI go beyond what you pay in fines. Here are other ways you may pay...
- Tow/Impound Fee
- Fines/Penalties
- Insurance Increase
- DUI Treatment Program
- DMV Reissue Fee
- Restitution Fund
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. ...
DUI Subsequent 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 attorney can guide you through this emotionally challenging process. Please contact a South Carolina DWI / DUI defense lawyer for a fast, free 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. |