DUI Lawyer Charleston, SC

If you have been arrested for drunk driving in South Carolina, you may be facing some serious penalties if convicted. Driving while under the influence is one of the leading charges levied against people. Many people mistakenly believe that they can drink alcohol and still safely operate a vehicle. This puts themselves and other people at risk of suffering serious injuries. This is why it is critical to retain the services of a skilled DUI lawyer in Charleston, SC to defend you against these charges.

• What Counts as Driving Under the Influence
• Hiring a Skilled DUI Lawyer
• Common Myths About DUI Charges
• Some Common Myths About DUI Charge Infographic
• Frequently Asked Questions: Managing DUI Charges
• Charleston DUI Lawyer Statistics
• Joe Good, Attorney at Law Charleston DUI Lawyer

What Counts as Driving Under the Influence

A DUI charge can be brought against you if a law enforcement officer has reason to believe that you are impaired and are driving under the influence. Drunk driving is mainly determined by your blood alcohol concentration level, or BAC. The legal limit differs according to each state’s laws. If an officer tests your BAC and it is over the legal limit, they can use it to charge you.

Potential Penalties for Conviction

There are serious penalties if you are convicted of DUI, so you should take it seriously if you have a charge against you. It may seem like a minor charge, especially if you believe you consumed a small amount of alcohol, but the consequences can be steep. Not only can you lose your driver’s license, but it impacts you for years if you have DUI on your criminal record. Even if you are convicted for DUI the first time, you can face serious penalties, such as a $1,000 fine and 90 days in jail. For people who have multiple convictions, you could suffer a longer jail sentence and have your license revoked for years. Every state makes its own DUI laws. In South Carolina, the penalties for conviction are:

• First offense: Suspension of driver’s license for six months, fine of up to $440 ($992 with assessments and surcharges), and/or jail time of 48 hours to 30 days.
• Second offense: Suspension of driver’s license for one year, fine of between $2,100 to $5,100 ($10,744.50 with assessments and surcharges), and/or jail time of five days to one year.
• Third offense: Suspension of driver’s license for two years, fine of between $3,800 to $6,300 ($13,234.50 with assessments and surcharges), and/or jail time of 60 days to three years. If the third offense occurs within five years of the first offense, license is suspended for four years. If the third or subsequent offense occurs within 10 years of the first offense, the vehicle used must be confiscated if the offender is the owner or a resident of the household of the owner.
• Fourth offense: Permanent revocation of driver’s license and jail time of between one to five years.

Multiple DUI convictions can lead to permanent consequences. You should not attempt to take on a DUI charge on your own. A lawyer will be able to skillfully defend you. If you have trouble understanding the laws for DUI, a lawyer can explain them to you and how they impact your case. Learn more by requesting a consultation with a skilled DUI lawyer.

How to Act at DUI Checkpoints

Regardless if you have been drinking or not, you should know what to do at DUI stop. Police set up DUI checkpoints on certain days in order to catch drunk drivers. It can be intimidating to be approached by an officer, but it’s important that you stay calm. When you approach a DUI stop, knowing how to protect your legal rights is critical and can help you get through the stop efficiently with minimal confrontation.

You should not panic because it can make you look more suspicious. Stay focused and pay close attention to the officer’s instructions. The officer may ask you to step out of your vehicle and request you to take several sobriety tests. Even if you have consumed alcohol, it is not advised for you to refuse a breathalyzer test.

Hiring a Skilled DUI Lawyer

Based on the above potential penalties, you want to make sure you hire a Charleston DUI lawyer who is experienced and skilled in drunk driving cases. Although every case is different, you want to make sure that your lawyer is familiar with how to handle the circumstances that may be present in your case that could have an impact on the outcome. You should hire a lawyer who is committed to advocating for you and providing legal assistance that you deserve.

In the majority of law firms, lawyers work with a legal team that is usually made up of junior attorneys, paralegals, law clerks, and legal assistants. The legal team all works together to build the strongest DUI defense available. It is important that you meet each of the people who will be working on your case.

Another important question to know the answer to is how often the drunk driving lawyer’s cases actually go to trial. Many DUI and other criminal cases are resolved without a trial and jury verdict. Often, depending on the circumstances, charges are dropped completely or both the defense lawyer and prosecutor are able to negotiate a plea deal.

One thing to keep in mind, however, although it is important to hire a DUI lawyer who is skilled at negotiation, you do not want to hire one who only seeks plea bargains as an easy way out, even when the evidence is overwhelmingly in the client’s favor for an acquittal.

Contact Our Office Today

If you have been arrested and charged with DUI, call Joe Good, Attorney at Law to schedule a free and confidential consultation with a Charleston DUI lawyer. We will work diligently to defend you against these charges and obtain the best possible legal outcome based on the circumstances of the case.

Common Myths About DUI Charges

If you have recently been charged with a DUI, you may feel stressed out and scared. You don’t know if you will go to jail or have a permanent criminal record. It’s important to know the facts behind DUI charges so that you avoid making mistakes in your case.

Here are some common myths about DUI charges.

• A DUI isn’t a big deal. Some people put a DUI in the same category as a traffic ticket. However, a DUI charge carries much stiffer penalties than a ticket for speeding or not stopping at a stop sign. It’s a criminal offense that can result in heavy fines and jail time. Therefore, even if this is your first DUI charge, you shouldn’t take it lightly.

• Your blood alcohol content can’t be challenged. If a police officer pulls you over for suspicion of drunk driving, he or she will likely ask you to take a breath test to determine your blood alcohol content. If it’s above the legal limit, the police officer can arrest you. However, that doesn’t mean that you can’t challenge the results later on. In some cases, breathalyzers can produce inaccurate results due to human error or certain medical conditions.

• If you get charged with a DUI, you’re automatically guilty. Just because you got charged with a DUI, doesn’t mean that you will be convicted. An experienced DUI lawyer can investigate your case and come up with a proper defense. For example, if a police officer didn’t have probable cause to pull you over in the first place, your case might get dismissed.

• When stopped by a police officer, you have to answer all questions. After stopping you for suspicion of drunk driving, a police officer may ask you several questions, such as how much you have had to drink. Understand that you’re only required to provide your full name and other identifying information. Once you do that, it’s in your best interest to stay silent. Everything you say can be used against you in court.

• Any lawyer can handle your DUI case. If you have been charged with a DUI, it’s important to consult a lawyer soon. However, you shouldn’t hire just any lawyer. The lawyer you select should specialize in criminal law and DUI cases. He or she will know the DUI laws in your states and improve your chances of a favorable outcome.

Some Common Myths About DUI Charge Infographic

Frequently Asked Questions: Managing DUI Charges

When a person is charged with driving under the influence, it’s imperative to receive help from a DUI lawyer Charleston, SC residents turn to for help. While it may be tempting to accept the charges and face the consequences, it’s possible to mitigate the impact with help from Joe Good, Attorney at Law. There can be a lot riding on the outcome of the case, and those who have been charged will have several questions regarding the process; scheduling a consultation with our firm is a way to gain insight into the road ahead. 

What is BAC?

When a law enforcement officer pulls over someone suspected of driving over the influence, they need a way to determine whether the driver is over the legal limit. Although law enforcement officers have several field sobriety tests, they may also administer a breathalyzer to determine the driver’s BAC. Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) is the amount of alcohol in a person’s bloodstream. In South Carolina, a person driving with a BAC of .08% or higher can result in a DUI charge and subsequent conviction. Our Charleston DUI lawyer can share that, for a person who consumes alcohol, knowing how much they can drink before reaching this limit can be challenging. A person’s BAC is contingent upon whether they are male or female, the type of alcohol they consume, whether they have eaten, and their body composition, such as height and weight. 

Can I still retain my license if I am convicted of a DUI?

One of the biggest concerns a person has is whether they will lose their license if charged with a DUI. It’s essential to be aware that this can depend on whether this is a person’s first, second, or third conviction. After a first-time conviction, it’s possible to receive a license suspension for six months. Despite this, it may be possible to retain your license after a conviction with a temporary license. There are three types of temporary licenses: provisional license, route restriction license, and temporary alcohol restricted license.  

How will a DUI conviction impact auto insurance coverage?

One potential consequence of a DUI conviction is the potential impact it may have on a person’s car insurance premiums. When convicted of a DUI, you will likely experience an increase in premiums because insurance companies will see you as a high-risk driver. Typically insurance rates will remain high as long as the DUI conviction is on the driver’s record. 

How long will it take before my DUI case is resolved?

The length of time before a case resolves can vary based on the case’s specifics. In most situations, a person can expect their case to conclude within 3-6 months. 

Why hire a lawyer with experience in DUI charges?

While you may be able to represent yourself in a DUI case, it’s not recommended. Most people do not have the necessary knowledge to navigate the criminal legal system. Unfortunately, without the protection of a lawyer, those charged with DUIs put themselves at risk of receiving DUI convictions that result in more significant consequences than if they had support from a Charleston DUI lawyer. Learn more about how Joe Good, Attorney at Law, can represent you by scheduling a consultation before it’s too late.

Charleston DUI Law Statistics

You should take DUI charges very seriously for several reasons. There can be a lot on the line if convicted of a DUI, and those charged may experience significant long-term consequences. Getting behind the wheel of a vehicle after a few drinks may seem harmless, but even a small amount of alcohol in the system can result in a BAC above the legal limit. According to the South Carolina Department of Public Safety, there were over 10,000 deaths caused by drunk drivers in 2018. So, if you are being charged with a DUI and deaths have been involved, contact a lawyer immediately.

Joe Good, Attorney at Law Charleston DUI Lawyer

Client Review

“I am an attorney in NC. I needed assistance on some personal matters in Charleston. I engaged Joe Good. He did an outstanding job in everyway. Responsive, with outstanding follow through. Excellent knowledge of local court procedures and personnel. I would use Joe again and would readily refer my clients to him for assistance in the Charleston area.”
Sid Aldridge