Orangeburg County DUI Lawyer

If you face DUI charges, you need experienced legal counsel to help you with this situation. DUI charges are serious and can greatly affect your entire life. Depending on the number of times you have faced these charges and the severity of this charge you could lose your driver’s license, face high fines, and may even spend time behind bars. A strong legal defense may help reduce or dismiss the charges against you.

If you face DUI charges in Orangeburg County, an experienced Orangeburg County DUI lawyer is ready to help.

DUI Law in Orangeburg County

Under state law there are different categories of DUI with which a defendant could be charged. Each of these different types of DUI carries its own potential penalties, some that are more serious than others. These types of DUI include:

• Underage DUI
• Felony DUI
• Boating under the influence
• Flying under the influence
• DUI while on a military base
• Driving under the influence of drugs

There may be even more categories depending on the unique circumstances of the defendant’s case. A consultation with a skilled DUI defense attorney can help the defendant understand the potential penalties they face and how to defend their case.

How Does Law Enforcement Verify Drunk Driving?

A charge of DUI requires proof beyond a reasonable doubt that the driver was under the influence of an intoxicating substance while operating a motor vehicle. To do this, law enforcement officers are training to look for signs of intoxication and to test whether a person is intoxicated behind the wheel. There are various methods that officers use to detect intoxication.

Field Sobriety Tests

Field sobriety tests are methods that police officers use to look for intoxicated drivers. They include the walk and turn test, the horizontal gaze nystagmus test, and the one leg stand test. Officers are trained to look for intoxication indicators while defendant perform these tests. They are highly subjective and may provide a basis for a legal defense.

Breath, Blood, and Urine Tests

Law enforcement will also utilize chemical tests to determine whether a person is intoxicated. Breath tests at the side of the road and back at the station can help determine whether a person is intoxicated by alcohol, but will not test for drugs. Blood or urine tests can help an officer determine if the driver was under the influence of either alcohol or drugs at the time of the arrest.

These tests must be taken under strict procedural guidelines and with certain constitutional protections in place. When law enforcement violate these laws it is sometimes possible to have the evidence excluded from trial. This may result in a dismissal of the charges due to lack of evidence.

Penalties for Conviction

If a defendant is convicted of a DUI, they could face penalties such as:

• Expensive fines
• Loss of a job or difficulty finding a new job
• Required to purchase high-risk insurance
• Jail or prison time
• Driving classes or addiction treatment
• Suspension or revocation of a driver’s license

These penalties can be incredibly severe and should not be taken lightly.

Defend Your Case with the Help of a DUI Attorney in Orangeburg County

Defending DUI charges is incredibly important and can help protect your constitutional rights. The loss of your license can make it difficult to work and you may even face incarceration depending on the facts of your case.

An experienced Orangeburg County DUI attorney will consult on your case and develop a defense strategy specific to you. Contact us today.