South Carolina’s DUI Laws
How Many Drinks Does It Take to Reach the Legal Limit in South Carolina?
As DUI lawyers in Charleston, South Carolina, one of the most common questions we hear is how many drinks a person can have before reaching the legal limit. The answer depends on your sex, your weight, what you drank, and how quickly you drank it. In this article, we...
Can You Be Charged with DUI While Parked or Sleeping in Your Car in South Carolina?
Many people believe that if they have had too much to drink, the responsible choice is to pull over, park, and sleep it off. In many situations, that is far better than driving. But our Charleston DUI defense lawyers regularly hear from people who were arrested for a...
What Are Field Sobriety Tests in South Carolina?
In most of the DUI or DUAC cases that our Charleston DUI lawyers handle, Field Sobriety Testing (FST) is the primary method a police officer uses to establish probable cause. Most officers use the three (3) “standardized” tests prescribed by the National Highway...
What Should You Do Immediately After Being Arrested in South Carolina?
As criminal defense lawyers in Charleston, South Carolina, we know that an arrest can turn an ordinary day upside down. Most of our clients worry about getting home, missing work, or what the charge will mean for their future. They also feel an urgent need to explain...
What Happens If You Get a BUI in South Carolina?
Boating is one of the best parts of living in the Lowcountry, and for many people, a day on the water includes a few drinks. But operating a boat while impaired is a crime in South Carolina, and officers with the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and local...
What Happens if I Get a DUI on Federal Property in South Carolina?
Sometimes, people are charged with driving under the influence (DUI) while on federal property, such as a military base like Joint Base Charleston or a national park site like Fort Sumter. These cases can be handled differently than typical state-level offenses in...
Do Police Have to Video Record a DUI Arrest in South Carolina?
When police record a DUI arrest in South Carolina, the video is often the most important piece of evidence in the case. Police reports are written after the fact by the officer who made the arrest, but a video shows what actually happened on the side of the road and...
Should You Plead a DUI Down to Reckless Driving in South Carolina?
When people charged with DUI or DUAC seek representation, they are not just looking for a DUI lawyer in Charleston to go in and beg for the best deal they can get. They want an attorney to explain what to expect, outline possible outcomes, negotiate zealously, prepare...
How Much Does a DUI Cost in South Carolina?
We are often asked how much a DUI costs in South Carolina. The honest answer is that the fine is only a small part of it. Between court costs, license fees, the Alcohol and Drug Safety Action Program (ADSAP), an ignition interlock device, higher insurance premiums,...
Can a DUI Breath Test Be Wrong in South Carolina?
For many people charged with DUI in South Carolina, the breath test result feels like the end of the case. It is not. A breath test is only as reliable as the machine, the operator, and the procedures used to obtain it, and South Carolina law gives drivers several...
Does a DUI Suspend Your Driver’s License in South Carolina?
Often the first question the DUI defense lawyers at Futeral & Nelson get is what happens to a person’s driving privileges. Answering this question has two main parts. The first is the initial suspension that may occur depending on whether you refused or provided a...
What Happens If You Are Declared a Habitual Offender in South Carolina?
As criminal defense and DUI defense lawyers in Charleston, South Carolina, we have helped many drivers who lost their license because the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) declared them a habitual traffic offender under S.C. Code Section 56-1-1020. A habitual...