Being arrested for the first time in your life can be unsettling, no matter what type of offense you stand accused of committing. However, if your arrest stems from a traffic stop that ended with a police officer determining you were drunk or high behind the wheel, you may find yourself facing legal and personal repercussions that go far beyond fines. A DUI charge can result in possible jail time and may interfere directly with your personal and professional life.
Fortunately, you may have some unique options for contesting a first-time DUI in Pickens County that repeat offenders are not afforded, and you also have help available from a seasoned DUI defense lawyer in making the most of your options. With former prosecutor and municipal judge Christopher L. Jones on your side, you will get dedicated and tailored small-firm service that leads to big-firm results.
Possible Penalties for a First-Time DUI Conviction
In South Carolina, you can be convicted of driving under the influence (DUI) based on a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08 percent or higher, as determined by chemical breath, blood, or saliva. Additionally, you can be charged based on a police officer’s observations of your field sobriety tests and other evidence they find during a traffic stop.
Regardless of which scenario leads to you being charged with a DUI in Pickens County for the first time, you could be required upon conviction to pay a maximum fine of $400, as well as additional surcharges and assessments that can increase the total value of your fine to $992. Additionally, you will almost always have your driver’s license suspended for a minimum of six months after a first-time conviction, with very limited options for requesting a “hardship license” that only allows you to make vital trips to work, school, and doctors’ appointments. Finally, you may be sentenced to between 48 hours and 30 days in jail, or even higher minimums and maximums, depending on how high your tested BAC was.
Are There Alternatives to Prosecution for First-Time DUI?
South Carolina judges have the authority to impose mandatory community service as an alternative to jail time for first-time DUI offenders in Pickens County. Typically, the required community service hours would be equal to the number of hours you would have had to serve in jail. For example, 48 hours of community service instead of 48 hours in jail.
Alternatively, some first-time DUI offenders are eligible for participation in a DUI diversion program as an alternative to criminal prosecution, provided their BAC is not too high and they meet certain other criteria. As your legal counsel can further explain, successfully petitioning for and then completing a diversionary program like this will lead to the original DUI charge being dismissed, although this option is not available for everyone and is not always the best move, even for defendants who do qualify.
Learn More About Fighting First-Time DUI Charges from a Pickens County Attorney
Both law enforcement officers and court authorities in the Palmetto State take driving under the influence very seriously, even for people who have never been convicted or even accused of such an offense before. Put simply, contesting a charge like this is not a fight you want to take on without support from an experienced legal professional like Christopher L. Jones.
You can get answers to pressing questions and more information about your legal options after a first-time DUI in Pickens County during a confidential consultation. Call today to schedule yours.
