Suppose you have been charged with driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs in South Carolina. In that case, you should know it is a serious charge that carries significant social consequences, which means that you should take the matter seriously from the outset. The most important step you can take at this juncture is to reach out to the professional legal counsel of an experienced Greenville DUI attorney.
Are You Under the Influence?
The State of South Carolina – and most other states – defines driving under the influence as getting behind the wheel with a blood alcohol concentration of .08 percent or higher. A wide range of interconnected factors determines an individual’s BAC, meaning there is no magic formula for deciding what your BAC will be after a specific number of drinks.
It’s also important to understand that – even with a BAC reading that is below the legal limit – you can face a DUI charge if your driving is determined to be impaired by alcohol. This can come down to the arresting officer deciding that you were driving erratically or in a manner that posed a danger.
A First Offense DUI
If the DUI charge against you is a first offense, a conviction can lead to the following fines and penalties:
- Jail sentence of up to 30 days
- Fines of up to $1,067 or at least 48 hours of community service
- A requirement for completing a state alcohol and drug education program
- An ignition interlock requirement for at least six months
- Increased car insurance requirements for high-risk drivers
- An automatic driver’s license suspension of six months
It’s important to note that if you refuse a breathalyzer test, it translates to an automatic driver’s license suspension of 90 days, which will apply even if you are not ultimately convicted of DUI. You do, however, have a short appeal window from your arrest, which means consulting with a dedicated DUI lawyer as soon as possible.
Aggravating Factors
Certain aggravating factors can amplify the legal consequences you face considerably, including having a prior DUI conviction on your record, having a high BAC, and having a child passenger in your vehicle at the time. The bottom line is that your future is on the line, and you should not wait to consult with a trusted DUI attorney.
Turn to Our DUI Lawyers for the Help You Need
The formidable DUI attorneys at Beasley Tomlinson Law – proudly serving Greenville, Spartanburg, Mauldin, Easley, Simpsonville, Pickens, Greer, and Duncan as well as Greenville County, Spartanburg County, Pickens County, and Florence County – have reserves of impressive experience successfully guiding challenging DUI cases like yours toward favorable resolutions, and we are here for you too. We encourage you to reach out to us for more information about how we can assist you by contacting us online or calling us at 864-775-5787 today.
