Blog Posts - Dui/dwi
What you should know about DUI checkpoints
Driving under the influence is a serious offense that can lead to severe consequences. To curb drunk driving and ensure road safety, law enforcement agencies often create DUI checkpoints. DUI checkpoint defined Did you know that 13,384 people died in…
Read MoreHow should you react after getting pulled over by police?
Getting pulled over by the police is undoubtedly frustrating, but maintaining a composed and respectful demeanor can make the process smoother and safer for everyone involved. By following certain guidelines, you can navigate such situations with greater awareness. As the…
Read MoreWhat are the punishments for a DUI?
Driving under the influence is a serious offense, and South Carolina enforces particularly strict laws to deter people from drinking and driving. If you or someone you know faces a DUI charge in South Carolina, you may wonder about the…
Read More4 ways people justify drunk driving
Driving while under the influence is not just a serious criminal charge in South Carolina. It is also a dangerous practice. Many people try to talk law enforcement out of a ticket or arrest by giving them a creative excuse…
Read More3 Myths about DUIs
DUI charges can sober you up. After all, these charges will stick with you forever. A lot of people believe they can get off of DUI charges quickly. However, that is often not the case. Here are several myths that…
Read MoreUnderstanding the rising blood alcohol defense
Many drivers assume that a failed breath test or blood alcohol test automatically results in a DUI conviction. Although a failed blood alcohol test is significant, it is not infallible. Depending on when you take the test in comparison to…
Read MoreUnderage drunk driving in South Carolina
Drunk driving charges can lead to serious penalties, and it is especially important to understand how strict the laws are for those under 21 if you have not reached the legal drinking age. From the loss of your driving privileges…
Read MoreDo you have to install an ignition interlock device after a DUI?
When South Carolina authorities charge you with drunk driving during a traffic stop, quite a bit hangs in the balance. You may have to serve time, pay fines and perform community service, among other possible repercussions associated with a conviction…
Read MoreCan you prove your DUI charge is the result of an improper stop?
Receiving a criminal charge for driving while under the influence of alcohol can be overwhelming. A DUI conviction can have far-reaching effects on your life, but you do have options for defending yourself. Keep in mind that a police officer…
Read MoreHow much does a South Carolina DUI increase auto insurance rates?
South Carolina has laws in place that make it illegal to drive with a blood alcohol content that exceeds 0.08%. If, during a traffic stop, the la enforcement officer who stops you thinks you may be under the influence of…
Read MoreHow does alcohol affect driving ability?
All motorists must conduct themselves safely on the road to avoid accidents. This is especially crucial when it comes to alcohol, as even a relatively small amount can negatively impact a person’s driving ability. That is why you must understand…
Read MoreLegal issues related to impaired driving in South Carolina
As in other states, South Carolina has enacted a series of actions to prevent individuals from engaging in impaired driving because of drugs or alcohol. Most of these actions rely on punitive measures that look to dissuade individuals from getting…
Read MoreCan you avoid a sobriety checkpoint?
Sobriety checkpoints often feel startling when you come across them without expecting them. Considering most states do not require police to set up advance warning, this happens quite often. You may wonder, if you see a surprise sobriety checkpoint, can…
Read MoreDrunk driving charges and previous offenses
If you are facing a drunk driving case, you could have many questions and worry about how the outcome of the case will impact your future. If you are in college or recently started your career, these allegations could deal…
Read MoreShould you take a breath analysis test?
If you think that you have a right to refuse a breath analysis test, you would not be alone. However, you would also be incorrect. Due to implied consent laws, you give your consent to DUI tests the moment you…
Read MoreHow do DUI costs break down?
When South Carolina law enforcement charges motorists with drunk driving, they may wonder how to structure their finances to account for DUI costs. Knowing those costs allows for a well-structured budget. U.S. News & World Report reviews common DUI fees….
Read MoreHow will a DUI conviction affect your car insurance rates?
When you receive a conviction for driving under the influence of alcohol, you may find yourself working to overcome several long-term challenges. Your license could be subject to suspension for an extended period of time and your car insurance will…
Read MoreCan you refuse a breath test?
When you drive, you may not be aware of something called an implied consent law. In general, implied consent laws apply to situations where a reasonable person could assume that parties give their consent regardless of written or spoken confirmation….
Read MoreWhat is a standardized field sobriety test?
Officers have many tools they utilize when attempting to discern whether or not a driver has hit the road while intoxicated. Certain tools, such as breath analysis tests, often get a lot of press and media attention. Other tools, like…
Read MoreWhat should I know about SC IID laws?
Every state in the country has strong laws against driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and South Carolina is no exception. Just like every other state in the nation, South Carolina also has specific parameters where individuals the…
Read MoreDoes a DUI conviction affect college financial aid?
Paying for college nowadays often requires sticking to a tight budget and looking for all available financial assistance. After all, the average cost of higher education at a public school has increased by nearly 150% over the last 50 years….
Read MoreHow many drinks does it take to get drunk?
No one ever sets out on an evening of fun with their friends with the intention of getting a DUI. However, that is a very real possibility if you drink too many alcoholic beverages throughout the night. Each drink you…
Read MoreHow accurate are field sobriety tests?
If officers pull you over for suspected DUI, they likely will ask you to submit to a field sobriety test. Under South Carolina law, however, you have no obligation to take it, nor do you face any negative consequences if…
Read MoreMisdemeanor vs. felony DUI in South Carolina
South Carolina may charge driving under the influence as a felony or misdemeanor depending on the circumstances of your case. In both cases, the state mandates jail time even for the first offense. Review the possible penalties for DUI in…
Read MoreHow will your future plans play out with a DUI conviction?
If you are a driver under the age of 21, an arrest on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol is no small matter. A conviction could affect your future in many ways and disrupt your education goals as…
Read MoreCan I challenge a breathalyzer test?
One of the most common ways to fight against a traffic ticket is to question the validity and reliability of the radar gun. You may wonder if it is also possible to question breathalyzer test results if you are facing…
Read MoreLicense suspension after a DUI
If people receive a conviction for drinking and driving, officials may suspend their license. Many penalties for DUI in South Carolina involve a license suspension. According to the South Carolina Department of Public Safety, a judge may suspend a driver’s…
Read MoreHandling drunk driving charges as a teen
Our law firm realizes that for some people, drunk driving charges are especially difficult to deal with. For example, if you are a teen and you are in this position, you likely have a wide variety of challenges to work…
Read MoreCollege and university consequences for a DUI
A DUI arrest or conviction in South Carolina can carry with it not only legal consequences, but further disciplinary action from a college or university if the person is a student there. Most institutions of higher education have policies regarding…
Read MoreBluffton officials file DUI charges despite breath test results
There is no denying that there is a stigma that comes with a charge for driving under the influence of alcohol. Those in Monck’s Corner who face such accusations are often assumed to be irresponsible individuals whose alleged actions imply…
Read MoreCan field sobriety tests prove intoxication?
If you have been pulled over by a law enforcement officer in South Carolina and subsequently been asked to do certain things like standing on one leg or walking in a straight line, you were likely the subject of a…
Read MoreAre designated drivers a safe option?
If you are going out for a night on the town, you may designate a driver to ensure you and your friends get home safely. A designated driver is one friend in your group who promises to refrain from drinking…
Read MoreAre roadside breath test readings accurate?
If you have been pulled over on suspicion of drinking and driving, you may have been asked to take a roadside breath test. Law enforcement officers across the country use these devices to measure drivers’ blood alcohol content level and…
Read MoreWill a DUI conviction hamper your career?
The school year has come to a close in South Carolina and you are one year closer to earning that post-graduate professional degree that will allow you to pursue the career you have always dreamed about. But before you spend…
Read MoreCan sucking on a penny fool a breathalyzer?
Many wild stories get passed around on college campuses in South Carolina and throughout the country. One of them is that sucking on a penny can disguise alcohol on your breath and fool a breathalyzer. However, this is nothing more…
Read MoreWhat college students should know about drinking and driving
As a college student in South Carolina, you should know that there are serious consequences for driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. This applies to those students who are already over 21 as well as those who…
Read MoreHanding drunk driving charges as a celebrity
Any time someone is charged with driving under the influence of alcohol, they may face a number of roadblocks as they try to move forward in life. Losing driving privileges, paying fines and even spending time in prison are just…
Read MoreWhat happens if you drive drunk?
You should realize that South Carolina takes driving under the influence very seriously. If you are pulled over under the suspicion of drunk driving, you can expect to go through some field tests and be asked to take a blood…
Read MoreGetting a job after a DUI
College students or other people early in their working lives in South Carolina who have been convicted of drunk driving offenses may face a wide range of consequences that include fines, the use of an ignition interlock device and more….
Read MoreWhat is the ignition interlock device program?
There are many different penalties that the state of South Carolina may impose if you are caught drinking and driving. One of those is requiring you to put an ignition interlock device on your vehicle. The South Carolina Department of…
Read MoreUnderstanding the phenomenon of false DUI arrests
It is commonly understood that a person is innocent until proven guilty when he or she is accused of a crime. This may not seem to be the case, though, when it comes to a DUI arrest. People and courts…
Read More4 reasons you need a lawyer after a DUI
If you have recently been charged with a DUI, you might be wondering what comes next and how you can recover from it. Whether it is your third arrest or your first, you should take care to protect yourself from…
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