“Because Your Future Deserves a Defense”
Greenville Criminal Defense — Greenville DUI Defense Lawyer
When you are facing felony or misdemeanor charges, your choice of criminal defense lawyer can have a substantial impact on your future. While there are many qualified South Carolina criminal defense law firms, our firm is built on experience, commitment, and dedication to the rights of the accused. This background provides a firm foundation for protecting our clients’ reputations, liberty, and careers whether charged with serious felonies or a first offense of driving under the influence (DUI).
Why Clients Facing Criminal Charges Trust Aaron De Bruin
When you are facing criminal charges that could derail your future, there is no substitute for experience and proven expertise. Greenville criminal defense lawyer Aaron De Bruin is a former prosecutor for the United States Marine Corps. This experience involved handling a broad spectrum of criminal charges and a heavy caseload. During his time as Judge Advocate General in the marine corps, Aaron acquired experience working closely with military law enforcement, which includes the Naval Criminal Investigative Service. Because of his time as a successful military prosecutor, he anticipates the tactics of law enforcement officers and prosecutors. The De Bruin Law Firm, LLC offers clients over 28 years of collective legal experience. Aaron’s clients also take comfort in the fact that he has extensive courtroom experience, so he does not shy away from trial.
Honors, client reviews, and accolades from around the web and media sources attest to Aaron’s effectiveness.
- Greenville Business Magazine Pick as One of Greenville’s “Elite Criminal Defense Attorneys” (2O13, 2015, 2016)
- 5-Star Rated Criminal Defense Attorney on AVVO (Verified 9-17-2017)
- 5-Star Average Rating from Former Clients on Facebook (Verified 9-17-2017)
Greenville DUI Defense Lawyer
A DUI charge has the potential to wreak havoc on your life. A DUI can cost you your job, your relationships, and your reputation. At the De Bruin Law Firm, our Greenville DUI defense lawyers are experienced in criminal matters and take pride in building strong defenses for our clients. An arrest does not necessarily have to result in a conviction, and our lawyers will work hard to protect your legal rights.
South Carolina DUI laws
In South Carolina, a driver may be arrested for driving under the influence if the driver’s blood alcohol content is 0.08 percent or higher. A conviction may result in fines, community service, jail time, and a suspended license. With each subsequent DUI conviction, the penalties become more severe.
However, not every arrest for DUI will result in a conviction. To protect your legal rights, it is important to discuss your case with an experienced DUI defense lawyer as soon as possible. Statements that you make to police officers, prosecutors, and other individuals may be used against you. Therefore, it is important to hire a lawyer so that your lawyer may speak on your behalf and protect your interests.
Defenses to DUI charges
If you have been arrested for DUI, there may be one or more defenses available in your case. With the assistance of your defense lawyer, you will be able to provide support for these defenses and possibly have your charges reduced or dismissed.
The Breathalyzer is used to measure the amount of alcohol in a driver’s blood. The officer will have the driver blow into the Breathalyzer, and the Breathalyzer will then provide a reading that shows the driver’s blood alcohol content. However, the Breathalyzer must be used correctly and calibrated properly for it to provide an accurate reading. In addition, there may be legal reasons that a driver’s breath shows a high Breathalyzer reading. For example, some have argued that mouthwash may trigger a higher reading. In some diabetics, the Breathalyzer results are skewed because of unique biological characteristics.
There are also numerous defenses available for failed field sobriety tests. A field sobriety test is a way for law enforcement to measure how impaired a driver is. There are three field sobriety tests. In the walk and turn test, a driver must walk a straight line, turn, and walk back, following the officer’s specific instructions. The officer will also perform a horizontal nystagmus test, during which the officer will look for involuntary movements in the driver’s eyes that occur with heavy drinking. Finally, the officer will ask the driver to stand on one leg and count, again with specific instructions.
In each of these tests, the officer is looking for physical signs that the driver is impaired. Is the driver able to balance on one leg? Do the driver’s eyes involuntarily move back and forth? Can the driver count coherently? If the driver fails these tests, the officer may arrest the driver for driving under the influence.
However, there are legitimate reasons for failing a field sobriety test. Physical conditions are often the culprit. In addition, environmental conditions, such as an uneven walking surface, may also cause a driver to fail a test. With a strong DUI defense lawyer, you may be able to argue that you should not have been arrested.
Were you arrested for DUI?
If you were arrested for DUI, it is important to speak with a lawyer immediately. Lawyer Aaron De Bruin has been named one of “Greenville’s Elite Criminal Defense Lawyers” by the Greenville Magazine in 2013, 2015, 2016.
To schedule a free consultation with our DUI defense lawyers, call 864-982-5930 or visit greenvilledefense.com today so that we may begin working on your case.
