Protecting Your Rights after a DUI in Greenwood County
Protecting Your Driving Privileges after a DUI in Greenwood County
Call 24.7 864-438-3777
South Carolina has tough penalties against those convicted of driving under the influence, and will aggressively seek punishments for those suspected of drunk driving. It is possible for a law enforcement officer to arrest a driver whose blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is below the legal limit of .08%. If you refuse to submit to a chemical test that measures your BAC, your license will automatically be suspended even though you have the right to refuse a breathalyzer. This and other penalties include fines and even jail time. When you face criminal charges as serious as DUI, you need a Greenwood County DUI attorney to protect your rights and fight to have your penalties reduced or dismissed.
- Ryan Beasley, Attorney at Law, is an aggressive DUI attorney with long-term experience
- Committed to obtaining the best possible resolution for every client’s case
- Passionate defense, legal representation, and unmatched client service
- Proven legal strategies and track record of success
- Impressive Trial Lawyer who was voted a “Rising Star”, “Super Lawyer”, and rated AV Pre-eminent by Martindale-Hubbell
People can easily underestimate their BAC levels when they have been socially drinking, and other times even those who have been engaged in responsible behavior have been arrested under the suspicion of impairment rather than physical evidence. It is important to understand that an arrest for DUI does not mean you are guilty, nor does it mean you have been convicted. It is possible to fight DUI charges and win with a knowledgeable Greenwood DUI lawyer.
Following an arrest for DUI, it is important to contact an attorney immediately if you want to achieve the best possible outcome for your case. Ryan Beasley is a qualified and experienced Greenwood DUI lawyer who has fought numerous cases successfully for his clients. He offers complete representation for DUI offenses, and knows how to challenge the state’s case against you. Greenwood DUI lawyer Ryan Beasley uses his knowledge of DUI laws and past case results to achieve the best possible outcome for your case.
Greenwood DUI lawyer Ryan Beasley offers a free initial consultation to discuss your charges. Call (864) 438-3777 now to schedule this meeting or you can also fill out the consultation form. There are important deadlines to meet, so it is best to schedule your appointment as soon as possible. South Carolina gives you only 30 days to schedule a hearing to contest the automatic suspension of your driver’s license.
Loss of Driver’s License for DUI in South Carolina
When you are arrested for DUI, there will be two cases against you. One is a criminal case dealing with penalties such as jail time, fines, and driver’s license suspension. There is a civil case which specially deals with your driving privileges which is handled by the Department of Motor Vehicles. This means that even if you win your criminal case, the DMV could still suspend your license if you did not contest your charges within 30 days of your arrest. Any questions about the DUI process can be answered by a Greenwood DUI lawyer with experience in this realm of law.
You have the right to request an Administrative Hearing with your DMV to contest your automatic license suspension. Failure to request this meeting will result in automatic suspension of your license, regardless of the outcome of your criminal case.
Greenwood County DUI lawyer Ryan Beasley can help you with all aspects of your DUI case including petitioning the DMV on your behalf. Make no mistake, the DUI process is complex and often confusing, so having experienced legal counsel to help you can benefit you greatly.
DUAC Charges
There is another drunk driving offense in South Carolina called driving with an unlawful alcohol concentration (DUAC). In order for the prosecution to seek a conviction for DUAC, you must have submitted to a breath, blood, or urine test which showed that your BAC was above the legal limit of .08%.
Without this evidence, charges for DUI are usually filed. DUI can be prosecuted based solely on an officer’s observations. DUI and DUAC carry the same penalties. DUI can refer to intoxication by drugs or alcohol, while DUAC is a charge which only deals with intoxication by alcohol. Whether you are charged with DUI or DUAC, it is important that you seek representation from a Greenwood DUI lawyer who is familiar with South Carolina laws and penalties.
Penalties for a DUI in South Carolina
The penalties for a DUI can be severe and your chances of a successful resolution are greatly improved with the guidance of a skilled Greenwood DUI lawyer. The penalties for a DUI are determined by the number of previous DUI offenses you have and your BAC at the time of your arrest.
If your BAC is between .08%-.09%:
- First DUI: Jail sentence between 48 hours and 30 days, however community service can be bargained for instead of jail time. Fines up to $400, and loss of driver’s license for 6 months.
- Second DUI: Jail time up to 1 year, with a 5-day minimum. Fines between $2,100 and $5,100, with loss of driving privileges for 60 days, and loss of license for 1 year.
- Third DUI: Jail sentence between 60 days and 3 years in prison. Minimum fine of $3,800 and up to $6,300. You may lose your driver’s license for 2 years, unless your conviction is within 5 years of your last DUI conviction, then you can lose your license for 4 years.
- Fourth DUI or More: This can be charged as felony drunk driving, and you may be imprisoned for at least 2 years and up to 6 years. You will lose your license permanently.
If your BAC is between .10%-.15%:
- First DUI: Jail sentence between 72 hours and 30 days, however community service can be bargained for instead of jail time. Fines up to $500, and loss of driver’s license for 6 months.
- Second DUI: Jail time up to 2 years, with a 30-day minimum. Fines between $2,500 and $5,500, with loss of driving privileges for 1 year.
- Third DUI: Jail sentence between 90 days and 4 years in prison. Minimum fine of $5,000 and up to $7,500. You may lose your driver’s license for 2 years, unless your third DUI conviction is within 5 years of your second, then you can lose your license for 4 years.
- Fourth DUI or More: This can be charged as felony drunk driving, and you may be imprisoned for at least 2 years and up to 6 years. You will lose your license permanently.
If your BAC is higher than .16%:
- First DUI: Jail sentence between 30 days and 90 days, however community service can be bargained for instead of jail time. Fines up to $1,000, and you are required to successfully complete an Alcohol and Drug Safety Action Program (ADSAP). You can lose your driver’s license for 6 months.
- Second DUI: Jail time up to 3 years, with a 90-day minimum, however community service can be bargained for instead of jail time. Fines between $3,500 and $6,500. You are required to successfully complete an ADSAP. You can lose your license for 1 year.
- Third DUI: Jail sentence between 6 months and 5 years in prison. Minimum fine of $7,500 and up to $10,000. You are required to successfully complete an ADSAP. You may lose your driver’s license for 2 years, unless your third DUI conviction is within 5 years of your second, then you can lose your license for 4 years.
- Fourth DUI or More: This can be charged as felony drunk driving, and you may be imprisoned for at least 3 years and up to 7 years. You are required to successfully complete ADSAP. You will lose your license permanently.
Whether this is your first DUI or a multiple offense, you will need a Greenwood DUI lawyer to avoid maximum penalties.
Ryan Beasley is a qualified and experienced Greenwood DUI lawyer with a track record of success, read below to find out more about Ryan Beasley’s qualifications.
Ryan L. Beasley, Greenwood County DUI Attorney
Greenwood County DUI attorney Ryan Beasley is a former prosecutor with the 13th Circuit Solicitor’s Office and is a former Law Clerk to the Honorable John C. Few, the Chief Judge of the South Carolina Court of Appeals. He is a member of the South Carolina Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, the Greenville Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, and the South Carolina Association of Justice.
Greenwood DUI lawyer Ryan Beasley is certified in DUI Detection and Administration of Standardized Field Sobriety Testing as determined by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the International Association of Chiefs of Police. He is certified in using the Datamaster breath testing equipment which allows him to challenge the state’s evidence.
Ryan Beasley hails from South Carolina and is a graduate of the Wofford College. He received his juris doctorate from the University of South Carolina. His trial experienced combined with his personal commitment to his client makes for superior representation.
Free DUI Consultation
Due to having a limited amount of time to save your driving privileges, acting quickly is very important in a DUI case. You should have attained legal counsel before your first court appearance, and preferably immediately after your arrest so your attorney can investigate the facts of your case while they are still fresh. The sooner you hire a Greenwood DUI lawyer the more time they will have to build your defense.
Ryan Beasley offers a free initial consultation, just call (864) 438-3777 now or fill out the consultation form. At your consultation Greenwood DUI lawyer Ryan Beasley can outline his fees and your legal options.
The Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Ratings
Ryan L. Beasley has received the highest rating from Martindale-Hubbell.
After a lawyer's General Ethical Standards and Legal Ability Ratings are confirmed, his/her ratings are aggregated to create an overall numeric rating for each rated Area of Practice. The numeric rating determines the Peer Review Rating, which includes a rating term and may include a Certification Mark:
AV® Preeminent™ (4.5-5.0) - An AV® certification mark is a significant rating accomplishment - a testament to the fact that a lawyer's peers rank him or her at the highest level of professional excellence.
Map to Ryan L. Beasley, Attorney at Law
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