A DUI conviction can have serious and lifelong consequences, whether you were driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. If you have been charged with DUI, hiring a Greenville drug DUI lawyer is essential. A DUI attorney could help you avoid mistakes that can hurt your case and work to get you the best possible outcome.
How Is a Drug DUI Different From a Regular DUI?
SC Code § 56-5-2930 treats DUIs in Greenville the same, regardless of whether alcohol or some other drug, such as cocaine, marijuana, or prescription drugs, caused your impairment. You can be charged with DUI if you were impaired to the point that your ability to drive was significantly and noticeably affected. Drug DUIs have the same potential penalties as alcohol DUIs. In South Carolina, these penalties are based on both whether you have been convicted of DUI before and how high your blood alcohol content (BAC) was. Since there is no established way to measure a person’s level of impairment from drugs other than alcohol, it can be more difficult to estimate where your sentence might fall within these ranges.
For a first-time DUI, you could be sentenced to anywhere from 48 hours to 90 days in jail, owe fines ranging from $400 to $1000, and face a six-month suspension of your driver’s license. For a second DUI, jail sentences range from five days to three years, and fines start at $2100 and go up to $6500. You will usually be required to install an ignition interlock device on your vehicle for two years, and your license may also be suspended for two months before this. For a third DUI conviction, jail time can range from 60 days to five years, fines can range from $3800 to $10,000, and the ignition interlock device requirement is usually three years.
In addition to the drug DUI, you might also be charged with other related crimes like drug possession or trafficking. A police officer can usually search your vehicle after arresting you for DUI, and they could charge you with these additional offenses if they find drugs or evidence of drugs.
How Can a Lawyer Help With a Drug DUI Arrest?
Hiring a lawyer is always a good idea if you are charged with a crime. Your lawyer could challenge any illegitimate searches or weak evidence and will generally present your situation in the most positive light possible. In a drug DUI case in Greenville, the primary evidence is usually the arresting officer’s testimony. Because there is no way to measure drug impairment objectively, this will generally be based on the officer’s perceptions and assumptions. If there is another explanation for your behavior, your lawyer could argue on your behalf. Since there is such a significant range in penalties if you are convicted, your lawyer may also be able to make the case that you should receive less severe fines and jail time. If this is your first DUI, you may be able to do community service instead of serving a jail sentence.
Discuss Your Greenville Drug DUI Case With a Lawyer Today
A DUI conviction can have serious long-term consequences. If you have been charged with driving while impaired, a Greenville drug DUI lawyer can help you understand your situation and get the best possible outcome. Discuss your case with Christopher L. Jones, Attorney at Law today.
