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Tag Archive for: dui lawyer

5 Things to Consider Before Hiring a DUI Lawyer

September 18, 2018/in Criminal Law, DUI Defense

Driving under the influence is a crime in every state, but not all cases end in a conviction. Hiring a DUI lawyer is your first step toward avoiding jail time and exorbitant fines, and having a DUI on your permanent record.

Don’t make the mistake of hiring anybody to defend your DUI case. If you were recently arrested for drinking and driving, we have five things to look for when hiring a lawyer.

Do You Need a DUI Lawyer?

DUI is a serious crime in South Carolina with serious consequences.

It’s illegal to drive in South Carolina if your blood alcohol level (BAC) is .08% or higher. If you’re underage, that level drops to .02% or higher. If you have a commercial driver’s license, it’s illegal to drive with a BAC of .04% or higher.

In some cases, you could receive a DUI or another alcohol-relation violation even if your BAC is under those legal limits.

The penalties include having your license suspended, installing a mandatory ignition interlock device, and attending a drug/alcohol safety course. The two biggest penalties are the hefty fines/fees and jail time.

Fine Schedule

The following are fines imposed by the State if convicted of a DUI with a BAC of .08% or less:

  • First offense: $400
  • Second offense: $2,000-$5,000
  • Third offense: $3,800-$6,300
  • Fourth or more: Set by the court to be no more than $10,000

These fines increase as the BAC percentage is higher or if you have a CDL.

Jail Times

South Carolina doesn’t only hit your wallet if you’re convicted of a DUI. If you’re convicted of a second offense or more, you will serve jail time.

  • First offense: Fine or 48 hours to 30 days imprisonment
  • Second offense: Not less than 5 days up to a year
  • Third offense: Not less than 60 days up to 3 years
  • Fourth or more: Not less than 1 year up to 5 years

It’s not only illegal to drive after you’ve been drinking, it’s dangerous. South Carolina is well above the national average for DUI-related deaths.

From 2003-2012, the national average was 3.3 deaths per 100,000 people. In the Palmetto State, it was more than twice that at 7.6 per 100,000. That’s one of the reasons the price to pay for a DUI in South Carolina is a hefty one.

With stakes this high, the reasons why you should hire a DUI lawyer are obvious. Finding a DUI attorney may have your DUI charges reduced or dismissed altogether.

These are the things to consider when hiring a DUI specialist:

1. Find a Local Attorney

Some lawyers advertise nationwide but don’t understand the laws specific to your state. They also don’t have relationships with the prosecutor or judge. This could lead them to convince you to plead guilty when your DUI case isn’t open and shut.

If you insist on fighting the charges, will they be there to fight alongside you in court? Do they know what the prosecution is going to push for in penalties? Do they know the judge’s DUI conviction rate?

A local attorney will have these answers. But it’s imperative to hire a local DUI lawyer, not only a defense attorney. DUI laws change often and you need an attorney who understands the changes and prepares for them.

2. Who Will Handle Your Case?

Large law firms hire many paralegals, assistants, and other staff members to ease their heavy caseload. In other words, the DUI lawyer you meet with and hire may not be the same attorney who handles your case.

Ask in your initial consultation if they will be the lawyer representing you in court. You don’t want a lawyer playing “pass the baton” when your future is at stake. If they can’t answer in a definitive manner, you may want to reconsider hiring them.

Who will handle your case may play a part in how much they charge for their services.

3. How Much Do They Charge?

Ask them how much they charge and how it’s billed. This is an awkward question, but it’s better to get it out in the open from the start.

Before you meet the lawyer, have your finances in order. Know how much you can pay at once and in installments.

Hiring a lawyer is not cheap but there are attorneys who will agree to a payment plan. Some may have other options like a junior partner or other legal specialist handling the brunt of your case.

The lawyer can estimate a figure for your defense but it won’t be set in stone. There will be many factors that determine their fee but ask if they have a ballpark figure. Explain your budget and ask if their fee includes the investigation, file review, and evidence collection.

4. What is their Track Record?

There are many lawyers that have a lot of experience preparing for DUI cases but they’ve never been to court. If you’re facing a felony, you want an attorney who has presented cases in court.

Ask them about their DUI defense record. How many cases have they won? How many ended in a plea deal?

If you’re facing jail time, you need an experienced lawyer who isn’t intimidated in a courtroom.

5. Have They Ever Faced Discipline from the Bar Association?

If an attorney has faced discipline from the Bar Association, you want to know. It could be an indication of his or her ethics and level of professionalism.

You want a DUI lawyer who knows the rules, not one who breaks them. The last thing you need is to walk into court and be behind the curve because your attorney has a bad reputation.

The American Bar Association can help find local attorneys in good standing.

Your Future Deserves a Defense

At De Bruin Law Firm, we understanding hiring a DUI lawyer is a decision that you shouldn’t take lightly. That’s why we pride ourselves on being open and honest with our clients at the initial evaluation.

Our knowledgeable DUI attorney will seek to resolve your case with the most favorable outcome. We work to make sure you understand the options and prepare you for your day in court.

A DUI is on your record forever. We work to make sure it isn’t. Contact us today and schedule your free evaluation.

https://debruinlawfirm.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Image_1-copy-3.jpeg 972 1600 Bryan De Bruin https://debruinlawfirm.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/logo.png Bryan De Bruin2018-09-18 09:30:062019-11-16 19:56:095 Things to Consider Before Hiring a DUI Lawyer

Greenville DUI Lawyer

November 19, 2017/in Criminal Law, DUI Defense

“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.

https://debruinlawfirm.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/aaron-de-bruin-esq-greenville-attorney.jpg 800 800 Bryan De Bruin https://debruinlawfirm.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/logo.png Bryan De Bruin2017-11-19 19:15:492021-09-29 14:54:25Greenville DUI Lawyer

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