Irmo Traffic Lawyer

Virtually everyone will get a speeding ticket or a ticket for a minor traffic violation at some point in time. Most tickets are not a big deal, but they can result in higher insurance premiums, and for those with previous tickets, additional legal consequences. Other traffic violations, such as reckless driving or DUI can result in jail time, points, driver’s license suspension, and a permanent loss of driving privileges.

If you have been charged with a traffic violation, you should act quickly. Even a simple ticket can significantly raise your insurance rates or impact your ability to insure your vehicle, and convictions for more serious traffic crimes can result in a loss of freedom for an extended time. It is best to seek help from an experienced criminal attorney.

Reach out to an Irmo traffic lawyer now to learn more about the various traffic offenses in South Carolina.

Speeding Tickets

Unfortunately for motorists, speeding is considered a criminal offense in the state of South Carolina. This means that pleading guilty to a ticket is pleading guilty to a criminal offense. If a person is convicted of speeding, they can have points added to their driving record, so even a minor speeding ticket can result in higher insurance premiums or a license suspension for some motorists.

For those with multiple traffic violations on their record, the price of insurance can increase significantly, or the insurance company can choose to drop them altogether.

In South Carolina, anyone who accumulates 12 points on their driving record can have their license suspended. If an out-of-state driver gets a ticket, South Carolina will report the ticket to their home state. The more points a ticket is worth, the higher insurance premiums.

Drinking and Driving

Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol is illegal, and anyone suspected of doing so will be taken into custody and charged with DUI. The State sets a blood alcohol content (BAC) presumptive limit, and if the BAC of a driver exceeds this limit, they can be charged with DUI or DUAC (Driving with Unlawful Alcohol Concentration). DUI charges are even more serious if a driver hits a person or another vehicle, kills another driver, or refuses to take a breathalyzer test. As usual, individuals with prior DUIs will receive harsher penalties than those first-time offenders.

In South Carolina, anyone convicted of DUI can may face the following legal penalties:

  • Loss of driving privileges
  • Driver’s License Suspension
  • Jail time
  • Probation
  • ADSAP
  • Ignition Interlock Device IID
  • Community service
  • Forced enrollment in a drug or alcohol rehabilitation program
  • Fines and other legal fees

To make matters worse, those convicted of drunk driving may be dropped from their current insurance company and car insurance for those convicted of DUI can be remarkably expensive.

Other Serious Traffic Offenses

DUI is not the only serious criminal traffic offense. Motorists may find themselves needing an Irmo traffic lawyer if they are charged with any of the following:

  • Going more than 15 miles-per-hour over the speed limit
  • Driving recklessly
  • Vehicular homicide or manslaughter
  • Driving without a license or insurance
  • Driving with a suspended license

If a person is convicted of any of the previously mentioned offenses, they may lose their driving privileges altogether.

Learn More From an Irmo Traffic Attorney Today

If you are charged with a traffic violation, you must take legal action before it is too late. Even a minor charge can have serious consequences, so traffic violations should never be taken lightly. With the help of an experienced attorney, motorists facing traffic charges may be able to get their charges reduced or dismissed completely.

Learn more about fighting traffic violations by contacting an Irmo traffic lawyer today.