South Carolina DUI Defense Lawyer

Deadlines

Our DUI defense team is experienced at providing immediate assistance in protecting your rights. DUI charges have time-sensitive deadlines that must be met, or the consequences could be irreversible.

If you refused to provide a breath, blood, or urine sample, or if you took a breath test and the reported Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) was .15 or higher, and your license was immediately suspended, you may be entitled to a temporary driver’s license. You have 30 days from the date of your arrest to request the administrative hearing or you lose that right. Contact the Joye Law Firm right now for assistance with meeting this time-sensitive deadline.

Court Appearances

If you are charged with DUI or DUAC 1st Offense, you have a court date requiring you to appear in Magistrate’s or Municipal Court. Should you fail to appear, you will be tried in your absence, with the likely outcome of a conviction. A conviction will trigger a host of consequences, beginning with the very real possibility of a jail sentence.

As of February 10, 2009, the penalty range for 1st offense convictions changed from a maximum of 30 days in jail to a minimum of 30 days in jail up to a maximum of 90 days in jail in certain cases. Your reported BAC, whether from a breath or blood sample, will determine your penalty range. You need a lawyer with the training and experience to challenge your test result.

If you are charged with DUI or DUAC 2nd Offense or greater, you have appearance dates in General Sessions Court, as well as a time-sensitive deadline to request a preliminary hearing. Your failure to act within that deadline will result in your losing the right to that hearing.