What are the penalties for drunk driving?

If you are arrested on suspicion of drunk driving in South Carolina, one of your primary concerns may be the potential severity of the penalties you may face if convicted. These can range from fines to jail time and may also include conditions such as the revocation of your driver’s license, or the installation of an ignition interlock device within your vehicle. It isn’t a stretch to then imagine how these penalties in turn could affect your professional life and may result in the loss of your job.

There are many factors that can come into play in determining the penalties if you are convicted of drunk driving related charges. These include how far over the limit your blood alcohol concentration was deemed to be, whether there were children in your vehicle and whether anyone was injured as the result of your actions. As is explained here, your age may also be a factor. If you are under the legal drinking age, you may be affected by zero-tolerance laws.

This legislation sets a much lower BAC level for underage drinkers. This level is 0.02 percent, or even less in some states. Another factor that comes into play is whether you have any previous drunk driving convictions. This can affect not only the severity of fines or jail sentences, but may also enhance the chances that you will be required to have an IID fitted.

However, being charged with a DUI does not guarantee that you will be convicted. If any aspect of the investigation was carried out improperly, and in South Carolina that includes anything not conducted on video, the charges against you may be rendered invalid. An attorney can help you understand the allegations you face and may be able to assist you in securing a fairer sentence or possibly avoiding a conviction altogether.