South Carolina DUI Defense Attorney
Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol is a serious offense. If you’ve been charged with driving under the influence (DUI) in South Carolina, you can expect to face expensive penalties, loss of your driving privileges and, in some cases, incarceration. On top of that, a DUI conviction will almost assure a steep increase in your insurance rates.
In addition, for the ten years following a DUI conviction, further arrests and DUI charges will be adversely affected, as both fines and penalties increase for multiple DUI convictions. For example, for a third DUI, you could be facing a felony conviction and up to five years in prison. The point is clear: You need a competent, qualified South Carolina DUI defense attorney to help protect your rights if you’re charged with a DUI.
If You’ve Been Charged with a DUI, Trey Cook Law Can Help
It’s important that you have an experienced DUI defense attorney on your side if you are charged with a DUI. Not only are the penalties potentially stiff, but the elements of each case can be complex and require a thorough understanding of relevant laws and procedures.
Trey has completed the Standardized Field Sobriety Testing (SFST) class that is published by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) - this is the same training for administering field sobriety tests that law enforcement officers are required to complete.
The Truth About DUI Tests
If you’re suspected of driving under the influence, you will likely be presented with multiple tests after being pulled over. The tests are all designed to determine if you are impaired and, to a lesser degree, the extent to which you may be impaired. The Standardized Field Sobriety Test includes three distinct parts: the horizontal gaze nystagmus (HGN), which consists of following a moving object with your eyes, the walk-and-turn and the one-leg stand test. It’s important to know that you are not obligated to perform these tests. It’s within your rights to refuse.
In addition to those tests, you may be asked to submit to a breathalyzer, which estimates your blood alcohol content. Again, it is within your rights to refuse to “blow.” However, in South Carolina, because you gave your implied consent to undergo a breath test when you received your driver’s license, refusal to submit to the breath test will result in an automatic suspension of your license for six months.
Contrary to what many believe, though, the results of a breath test can be contested. The truth is that breath-test machines can produce inaccurate readings for reasons ranging from contamination to human error. Because the severity of the penalties in South Carolina for a DUI vary according to the results of a breath test, it’s in your best interest to have your attorney review the test results and verify that the charge is based on an accurate reading and interpretation of the test.
For that reason, it’s critical that your entire case is thoroughly examined, including the video of the initial stop and all videos produced thereafter. You can rest assured that Trey Cook Law in Lancaster, South Carolina, will do that. He understands that a DUI charge can be devastating, but he also knows how best to defend a DUI charge. He will work tirelessly to protect your rights. So, if you are charged with a DUI, call Trey Cook to schedule a free consultation.