The State of South Carolina has some very strict regulations and laws concerning driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. If you are pulled over by an officer and have a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 will mean that you are going to be facing legal repercussions. If you are a commercial driver or a driver under the age of 21, you will have even stricter blood alcohol concentration limits. You will be facing license suspension, jail time, and fines and fees that will have serious financial repercussions if you choose to drive under the influence. South Carolina has three different levels of punishment, depending upon your BAC. The lowest penalty is for a BAC of .10 or below, the higher penalty is for a BAC of .15 to .11, and the highest penalty is for a BAC of .16 and above.
First DUI Offense
When you are convicted of a DUI, you will face some strict restrictions on your life. The lower penalty level will result in a license suspension of 6 months, a minimum of 48 hours in jail with a maximum of 30 days or 48 hours of public service, and a fine of $400. The higher penalty level will result in license suspension of 6 months, a minimum of 72 hours in jail and a maximum of 30 days or 72 hours of public service, and a fine of $500. The highest penalty level will mean a suspension of 6 months, a minimum of 30 days and a maximum of 90 days in jail or 30 days of public service, and a fine of $1000.
Second DUI Offense
A second DUI offense within ten years of the first means that you will be facing even more severe penalties and punishments. The lower BAC level will mean a license suspension of one year, a minimum of 5 days and a maximum of 1 year in jail, and fines of $2100 to $5100. The higher level of punishment will mean a license suspension of 1 year, a minimum of 30 days to 2 years in jail, and fines of $2500 to $5500. The highest level of punishment will mean that you will lose your license for 1 year, spend a minimum of 90 days and a maximum of 3 years in jail, and fines of $3500 to $6500. In addition to these punishments, you will also possibly have to have an ignition interlock device installed and you may be ordered to a drug or alcohol treatment program.
Third DUI Offense
A third DUI conviction within the lookback period of ten years will mean that you will have your license suspended for 2 years, a minimum of 60 days and a maximum of 3 years in jail, and fines of $3800 to $6300 at the lowest level. The higher level will mean that you will have your license suspended for 2 years, a minimum of 90 days and a maximum of 4 years in jail, and fines of $5000 to $7500. At the highest level, you will be looking at license suspension of 2 years, a minimum of 6 months and a maximum of 5 years in jail, and fines of $7500 to $1000.
Fourth DUI Offense
A fourth DUI offense will result in permanent revocation of your license and jail time that will be dependent upon your blood alcohol level. The lower level will mean a minimum of 1 year in jail, the higher level a minimum of 2 years in jail, and at the highest level a minimum of 3 years in jail up to 5 years in jail.
When you make the choice to drive under the influence, you will be facing legal repercussions. By getting legal representation, including a lawyer, you can be sure that your rights are taken care of and that you are able to get a sentence that is fair.