South Carolina DWI/DUI Defense Law Firm
A shot of liquor right before leaving the bar. Two glasses of wine at dinner. One martini too many. A beer and prescription medication. For the average person, it does not take much to exceed the legal blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit of .08 in South Carolina. Regardless of what you were drinking, when you're found to be "materially and appreciably impaired" and are charged with driving under the influence, the penalties can be severe — even for a first offense — so it is worth challenging your DUI charge.
At the Law Offices of Richard J. Breibart, LLC, our misdemeanor DUI attorneys know that being arrested and charged with drunk driving does not automatically mean that you stand no chance against a South Carolina DUI conviction. To discuss your DUI charges with an experienced DUI defense attorney, call 866-645-8743 or contact our office online.
Defending Against South Carolina DUI Charges
Our attorneys employ a number of viable defenses in defending clients against DUI charges in South Carolina, including challenging:
- An illegal stop or roadblock. Law enforcement must have a legally justifiable reason for stopping your vehicle.
- Breath test issues. If records on the breath test, DataMaster or Intoxilyzer are not kept current or a technical error occurs, your results may not be correct.
- Improper procedure. Perhaps you were not properly read your Miranda rights when you were arrested or the officer did not follow required procedures for videotaping the roadside stop or taking the Breathalyzer sample.
- Insufficient evidence. You may have been arrested without proof that you were actually operating a motor vehicle or impaired while behind the wheel.
Penalties for First-Time DUI Offense in South Carolina
Being charged with driving under the influence in South Carolina can have serious consequences — consequences that vary, depending on your BAC level:
- If you have a BAC under .10, you face a $400 fine and two to 30 days in jail.
- If you have a BAC between .10 and .16, you face a $500 fine and three to 30 days in jail.
- If you have a BAC over .16, you face a $1,000 fine and 30 to 90 days in jail.
These penalties increase substantially for habitual DUI offenders (those facing a second or third DUI charge), and even more so for those charged with felony DUI.
Additional fees may be incurred, including administrative penalties such as increased insurance premiums, mandatory license suspensions and drug and alcohol education courses.
Contact a Lexington First-Offense DUI Lawyer
With significant financial and administrative penalties, it is worth fighting the charges you face. For a free initial consultation, call 866-645-8743 or contact us online.We represent clients throughout South Carolina, including people from Columbia, Florence, Spartanburg and Myrtle Beach.
