Young & Young | Attorneys At Law

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Mount Pleasant DUI Lawyers

Last updated on August 29, 2024

Facing charges of driving under the influence (DUI) is a serious matter that requires legal guidance. For anyone caught in such a situation, the most crucial step is to secure the services of an experienced DUI attorney.

Since 2012, Young & Young, Attorneys at Law, has offered skilled advocacy and customized services to clients in Mt. Pleasant and surrounding communities. Our attorneys are former prosecutors who fully understand the court system and have developed good working relationships with law enforcement, local court personnel and other lawyers. If charged with a DUI, know you are working with two dedicated attorneys who will personally handle your case.

South Carolina DUI Laws

South Carolina has strict laws governing DUI offenses, with penalties that vary based on various factors. For blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limits, the legal BAC limit for drivers over 21 is 0.08%. Exceeding this limit while operating a vehicle can result in a DUI charge.

Due to South Carolina’s zero-tolerance policy, any measurable BAC is a violation for drivers under the age of 21.

What Should You Do Immediately After Being Arrested For A DUI In Mt. Pleasant?

Immediately after being arrested for DUI in South Carolina, it is vital to act swiftly and decisively. This includes seeking legal representation and understanding your rights and options. Taking prompt action can significantly impact the outcome of your case.

What Are The Potential Consequences And Penalties For A DUI Conviction (1st, 2nd And Multiple Offenders)?

The penalties for DUI in South Carolina include:

  • First offense: It results in fines ranging from $400 to $1,000, imprisonment for up to 30 days and a six-month suspension of the driver’s license.
  • Second offense: A second DUI charge within 10 years increases penalties, including fines up to $6,500, imprisonment up to one year and a license suspension.

Subsequent DUI offenses carry even harsher penalties, including longer license suspension periods, larger fines and potential imprisonment.

Will I Lose My Driver’s License After A DUI Arrest in Mt. Pleasant?

In South Carolina, a DUI arrest triggers an automatic license suspension. However, with the help of a skilled DUI attorney, you may be able to challenge this suspension and retain your driving privileges.

What Is The Difference Between A Misdemeanor And A Felony When It Comes To A DUI?

In South Carolina, most DUIs are charged as misdemeanors. While that is still serious, the danger for a defendant escalates when the DUI is charged as a felony. Any driver under the influence of drugs or alcohol who causes an accident that involves serious bodily injury or death to another person can be charged with a felony. You will also be charged with a felony if it is your fourth DUI within 10 years.

What Are Common Defenses Against DUI Charges?

It takes a skilled attorney and a strategic approach to defeat a DUI charge. A DUI attorney can attack the basis – “probable cause” – for the traffic stop in the first place. If the officer didn’t have a valid reason to initiate the traffic stop, they didn’t have the right to conduct a DUI investigation, either.

Any field sobriety tests that were used to judge your sobriety can be challenged for subjectivity, inaccuracies and the fact they may have mistaken a common health condition, like an inner ear condition, for intoxication. Chemical tests, such as breath and blood tests, that are used to measure a driver’s blood alcohol content (BAC) levels can also be challenged for accuracy and chain of custody errors.

These are just a few potential defenses, but an experienced attorney will listen carefully to the details of your story and help you understand which approaches apply and will have the greatest likelihood of success.

What Are The Long-Term Effects Of A DUI Charge And Conviction?

A DUI charge can cause an immediate disruption to your life, especially if you have a job that requires you to have a commercial driver’s license (CDL) or otherwise drive for a living. There is also the damage to your public reputation if you own a business or hold a professional license.

A conviction is worse. Depending upon your profession, you may lose your job and have difficulty finding another. You will have a personal criminal record that you may have to disclose. Your insurance rates will be massively increased for several years, and you could have trouble qualifying for good credit rates for the foreseeable future.

Let Our Mt. Pleasant DUI Attorneys Help You

At Young & Young, Attorneys at Law, we are here to offer skilled guidance to our clients in Mt. Pleasant to help ensure the best possible outcome of the case. Call 843-619-7755 today or contact us online and schedule a free consultation. Calls are answered 24/7.