Consequences for Multiple DUIs in SC
South Carolina takes a harsh stance against driving under the influence (DUI), and if you have more than one offense on your record, you can expect things to get even more serious from here. If you’re facing a DUI that rises to the level of a felony the way a third offense can, you need the focused legal counsel of an experienced Greenville DUI defense attorney in your corner.
What Levels Are Over the Limit?
In South Carolina – and across the country – it is illegal to operate a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 percent or higher. If you’re stopped by the police and have a BAC of .08 percent or above, your impairment will be inferred. If, however, your BAC is between .05 and .08 percent, the reading can be considered in conjunction with other evidence related to your ability to drive safely and can still support a DUI charge.
What Happens in a Second DUI Offense?
If you’re charged with a second DUI offense, it’s a misdemeanor, and a conviction carries all the following:
- Fines of from $2,100 to $5,100
- A jail sentence of from 5 days to 1 year
- Driver’s license suspension of up to a year
In some instances, a provisional driver’s license is a possibility.
Multiple Offenses
While a first or second DUI offense is serious, a third offense charged within ten years of the prior 2 is likely to be classified as a felony. It will likely carry the following fines and penalties:
- A sentence of from 60 days to 3 years behind bars
- Fines of from $3,800 to $6,300
- A driver’s license suspension of 2 years, and if the three offenses were within five years of each other, a driver’s license suspension of 4 years
If you’re convicted of a fourth DUI offense in 10 years, you’ll face from 1 to 5 years in prison and the permanent revocation of your driver’s license.
Factors May Increase the Fines and Penalties
There are a range of factors that can play a role in the fines and penalties you will face if convicted of multiple DUIs, including:
- A BAC of over .16 percent for even a first offense carries a $1,000 fine and a jail sentence of 30 to 90 days.
- Causing an accident can affect your sentence.
- Your consequences will increase if someone is injured or killed by an accident you caused.
- Having a passenger who was a child in your vehicle would affect your sentence.
Even a misdemeanor DUI charge can derail your plans for your future, which makes having a savvy DUI defense attorney backing you up the surest path forward.
Call Our Experienced Greenville DUI Defense Attorney Today
The practiced Greenville DUI defense attorneys at Ryan Beasley Law will spare no effort in our focused defense of your legal rights – in pursuit of your case’s best possible resolution. Your case is important to your future, so please don’t hesitate to contact us online or call 864-679-7777 to learn more about what we can do to help you today.