Penalties for DUI Convictions in South Carolina
If you are convicted of a first offense DUI in South Carolina, you are subjected to a total fine of $992.00 or 30 days in jail. A 2nd offense in 10 years can result in a minimum fine of $2,100.00 up to $5100.00 and imprisoned for at least 48 hours or up to 1 year. A judge could order a person convicted of DUI 2nd to at least 10 days of public service instead of serving time in jail.
A conviction of DUI 3rd carries a fine of $3,500.00 up to $6,000.00. Also, a 3rd offender must serve at least 60 days in jail and could be sentenced to as much as 3 years in prison. A conviction for DUI 4th or above carries a prison term of at least 1 to 5 years.
In addition to the fine imposed for a DUI conviction, there is a 107% assessment fee added to any fine imposed. For example, a person who receives a fine of $2100.00 will pay a total fine of over $4500.00. A DUI 2nd would carry a total cost of between $4500.00 to over $10000.00 A DUI 3rd would carry a total fine of between $7700.00 to over $13000.00. The State can seek forfeiture of the driver's automobile for a 3rd or subsequent conviction of DUI. The Judge may order an ignition interlock device be installed in your car and require you to pay for it.
In order to retain your license after a DUI conviction, a person must maintain SR-22 insurance for at least 3 years and attend the Alcohol & Drug Safety Action Program (ADSAP) at a cost of $500.
South Carolina also has a Child Endangerment law which makes it a crime to have a minor under the age of sixteen in the car if you are driving under the influence.
Penalties for Felony DUI -
A person convicted of felony DUI for causing great bodily harm to another, is subject to a mandatory fine of at least $5000.00 up to $10,000.00. In addition to the fine, there is mandatory imprisonment of at least 30 days up to 15 years. A person convicted of felony DUI where death occurs is punished by a mandatory fine of $10,000.00 to $25,000.000. A mandatory prison sentence of 1 to 25 years is required.
Commercial Driver's Licenses (CDL) -
Needless to say, commercial drivers stand to lose more than just their driver's licenses. They could very well lose their jobs! Therefore, it is very important for these drivers to seek legal counsel to determine the merits of their case.
The Interstate Compact Act -
In 1961 the US Congress enacted the Interstate Driver License Compact. All states except Georgia, Massachusetts, Michigan, Tennessee and Wisconsin have elected to participate in the Compact Motorists traveling across state lines must remember that any traffic violation in any other compact state will effect their driving privileges in his or her home state.
Implied Consent -
A person driving a vehicle in South Carolina is considered to have given his or her consent to submit to a breath, blood or urine test to check for the presence of alcohol or drugs or the combination of both. If a driver is stopped and ultimately charged with driving under the influence, the arresting officer must warn the driver that he or she has the right to refuse to take the test. In addition, the driver must be advised that he or she has the right to a blood or urine test whether or not the driver submits to the breath test.
APPROXIMATE ETHANOL CONCENTRATIONS
Body Wt (lb.) Total Number of Drinks _
----------1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
100 .038 .075 .113 .150 .188 .225 .263 .300 .338 .375 .413 .450
110 .034 .066 .103 .137 .172 .207 .241 .275 .309 .344 .379 .412
120 .031 .063 .094 .125 .156 .188 .219 .250 .281 .313 .344 .375
130 .029 .058 .087 .116 .145 .174 .203 .232 .261 .290 .320 .348
140 .027 .054 .080 .107 .134 .161 .188 .214 .241 .268 .295 .321
150 .025 .050 .075 .100 .125 .151 .176 .201 .226 .251 .276 .301
160 .023 .047 .070 .094 .117 .141 .164 .188 .211 .234 .258 .281
170 .022 .045 .066 .088 .110 .132 .155 .178 .200 .221 .244 .265
180 .021 .042 .063 .083 .104 .125 .146 .167 .188 .208 .229 .250
190 .020 .040 .059 .079 .099 .119 .138 .158 .179 .198 .217 .237
200 .019 .038 .056 .075 .094 .113 .131 .150 .169 .188 .206 .225
210 018 .036 .053 .071 .090 .107 .125 .143 .161 .179 .197 .215
220 .017 .034 .051 .068 .085 .102 .119 .136 .153 .170 .188 .205
230 .016 .032 .049 .065 .081 .098 .115 .130 .147 .163 .180 .196
240 .016 .031 .047 .063 .078 .094 .109 .125 .141 .156 .172 .188
The chart listed above can be used to estimate an individuals alcohol concentration at a given time. To do this you should:
1. Count the number of drinks consumed (one drink equals 1 oz. of 100 proof liquor, 12 oz. beer, or 5 oz. of wine)
2. These charts are to determine the maximum blood alcohol for the number of drinks and the body weight. (This is the maximum BAC you would have if you consumed all the alcohol in 1 hour)
3. Subtract from the percent blood alcohol content the amount of alcohol eliminated since the time of the first drink, using the average elimination rate of 0.015% per hour.
James B. Huff ▪ Attorney at Law
1417 Georgia Ave ▪ North Augusta, S.C. 29841
Office (803) 278-2889 ▪ Fax (803) 442-4422
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