Charleston is one of the busiest cities in South Carolina, hosting thousands of visitors every year. Whether you are visiting downtown on business or exploring the French Quarter on vacation, it is vital to acknowledge the risks of drinking and driving. If you are charged with driving under the influence (DUI) but you live out of state, it will be crucial to find a local attorney to defend you. A Charleston out-of-state DUI lawyer can be an invaluable asset in this situation.
The criminal defense attorneys at Axelrod & Associates, P.A., have extensive experience handling criminal defense representation for all types of cases in Charleston and the surrounding communities of South Carolina. DUI is one of the most commonly prosecuted crimes in South Carolina, and if you are charged with this offense but live out of state, it’s vital to know the value of having local defense representation on your side.
If the matter is serious, your counsel should be exceptional.
South Carolina was recently ranked as the worst state in the United States for drinking and driving accident fatalities, with 474 deaths in 2022 alone. Because of this, law enforcement throughout the state has cracked down tremendously on intoxicated driving and pursues convictions in these cases very aggressively. If you are charged with DUI, you need to know your rights in this situation and hire an out-of-state DUI lawyer you trust to represent you.
When you choose our firm as your criminal defense counsel, we can immediately begin gathering evidence to support your defense. We can examine the police report from your arrest and determine whether the arrest was handled correctly under the rules of due process. We can also explain what you can expect in terms of your penalties as an out-of-state resident.
In South Carolina, police conduct arrests for DUI when they establish probable cause that a driver is under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Testing for alcohol intoxication is done using the blood-alcohol concentration (BAC) measurement system, and any amount over .08% qualifies as intoxicated driving.
It’s possible to build your defense based on a lack of probable cause for your arrest, a problem with the chemical test, or a violation of your rights. It is important to note that South Carolina participates in the Interstate Compact, which means your DUI offense may be reported to your home state. This means you not only face penalties issued by South Carolina but could also face additional penalties from your home state’s Department of Motor Vehicles.
When you are arrested for any crime in South Carolina, it is crucial to exercise your right to remain silent until you can speak with a criminal defense attorney. Once you are placed under arrest, comply with the arresting officer’s instructions so you do not make your situation worse, but do not say anything until you can speak with an attorney. Your Charleston out-of-state DUI lawyer can determine the most viable defenses available to you.
Axelrod & Associates, P.A., can provide responsive defense counsel when you need it most after an arrest for DUI. If you live out of state, you are likely to be concerned about how your criminal case could impact your travel plans and personal schedule, and the reality is that you will need to resolve your case before you can go home. Reach out to our firm right away to learn how an experienced Charleston out-of-state DUI lawyer can help you.
The penalties for DUI in Charleston generally include a fine, jail time, and driver’s license suspension. These penalties can fluctuate on a case-by-case basis, and penalties generally increase when a defendant has a record of prior DUIs and/or has caused an accident resulting in serious injury or death.
You could spend quite a lot of time in Charleston after a DUI if you live out of state. When you commit a crime, you are prosecuted in the jurisdiction in which the crime was committed, so you will need to attend all courtroom appearances in Charleston. You may be released on your own recognizance or post bail, but you will need to return to the area for your court appearances or risk serious penalties.
Jail time is likely for a first-time DUI in Charleston if the defendant caused an accident resulting in serious injury or death. However, many judges are willing to consider alternative penalties for first offenders who did not cause accidents. If this applies to your situation and you live out of state, the sentencing judge may be willing to consider alternatives to jail time that would allow you to go home sooner.
You should hire a Charleston out-of-state DUI lawyer because if you are charged with this offense, you face serious penalties if you are convicted. You need a local attorney who is fluent in South Carolina’s DUI laws and who knows the local courts. Hire an out-of-state DUI lawyer at your first opportunity so they can start building your defense right away.
The cost to hire an out-of-state DUI lawyer generally depends on how much time they must spend working on your case. Most criminal defense lawyers charge their clients an hourly rate and track the time they spend working on their case. Make sure you understand your chosen attorney’s billing policy, so you know what to expect when it comes to the cost of their representation.
The team at Axelrod & Associates, P.A., has more than 100 combined years of experience representing clients in South Carolina, and we have also successfully defended many out-of-state clients in all types of cases. The consequences of a DUI can negatively impact your life in several ways, so it’s vital to hire an out-of-state DUI lawyer you trust to defend you. Contact us today and schedule a free consultation with our team to learn how we can help you.
I just had the most awesome results with Axelrod Law Firm, particularly with Tatiana Berkey! She got my 8 points reduced to zero with only a $25 fine! She was so informative, caring and productive! It’s a great law firm with great results!
The staff at Axelrod&Associates is far none the best on the grand strand.they have taken care of 5 different cases for me and they went way above my expectations. Heather,Kelly ,Stuart and notably the best paralegal in the business…”Jenna” are so professional and most of all….caring. A million thanks to everyone there.
Go see Kate O’Hara! Her and her team work great together! Kept me up date and answered all the questions that I had! I couldn’t thank them enough!
Words can’t describe how thankful I am for this law firm ! They went way beyond anything I could have ever expected. If you are looking for a firm that really cares about their clients , this is the one!
Great experience working with Jenna and Heather on my adoption. It has been a long, lengthy process, and they were great getting me through all of it. Would recommend and definitely use them again in the future if needed. Thank you so much.
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