- June 20, 2021
- DUI, DUI Arrest
If you get behind the wheel after having a few drinks, you’re risking a lot if you get charged for a Charleston DUI. If you get pulled over, you’re going to have to take a breathalyzer test. Depending on your blood alcohol concentration (BAC), you may also have to perform a field sobriety test. The officer will determine if you should be arrested or let off with a warning. If you are arrested, you don’t want to waste any time calling a Charleston DUI attorney. They can work on getting you out of jail as quickly as possible. Then they’ll get started on preparing your defense. If you hold a professional license, you’re going to need your attorney to help with that as well. They’ll fight hard to get the charges against you reduced or dismissed. In order for them to do this, you need to call your Charleston DUI attorney as soon as possible after your arrest.
What Kind of Work Do You Do?
Not everybody’s job will be affected by a conviction for DUI. However, there are so many professional careers that require some sort of license or certification, you need to be careful. It’s one thing if you’re a self-employed plumber or landscaper. If that’s the case, then you won’t have much to worry about. However, if you’re a doctor, lawyer or teacher, you could very well lose your license. If they find out you’ve been found guilty of DUI, the certification board is going to want to know what happened. Your license will likely be suspended upon the board learning of your conviction. Once you get a chance to go before the panel and plead your case, you’ll find out if your license will be permanently suspended or revoked.
Your Charleston DUI Attorney Can Try to Protect Your Professional License
If you learn that your professional license is at stake, you need to let your Charleston DUI attorney know. They won’t be able to go before the panel for you. However, they can certainly send you in the right direction. You may be able to get your license temporarily restored pending the outcome of your case. If you’ve already been convicted, you can ask for a probationary period. If you don’t have any further infractions, perhaps your license will be restored. There are special rules when it comes to commercial drivers. If you’re convicted of DUI, your CDL will be suspended. Once it’s revoked, there isn’t much you can do to fix it.
You Will Have to Report Your Arrest to the Applicable Agency
If you get charged and convicted of DUI in South Carolina, you have a duty to report it. If you’re an attorney, you’ll need to report it to the professional bar association. The same is true if you’re a doctor or nurse. You’ll have to let the medical board or nursing board know what’s going on. Depending on the actual license you hold, you could be looking at the end of your career. This is why it’s so important that you have an experienced Charleston DUI attorney by your side in the first place.
That’s Why It’s So Important You Have a Charleston DUI Attorney to Help You
If you have a Charleston DUI attorney, they’re going to fight to get your charges reduced or dismissed. They’ll try to poke holes in the prosecutor’s case. They’re also going to work hard to reach a deal with the prosecutor. They may be willing to reduce the charge to a reckless driving record. This is more likely if your BAC was barely over the legal limit of .08. However, if you got into an accident while drunk driving, there won’t be a reduction of the charges. The State will push to ensure that you’re given the harshest punishment possible.
The Goal is to Get Your Charges Reduced or Dismissed
The good news is that your Charleston DUI attorney has spent years developing relationships with the local prosecutors. They’ll reach out to them to get a copy of the State’s file. They’ll also put feelers out there to see if the prosecutor is willing to listen to reason. Your lawyer will have a much better chance of talking to the prosecutor than you would on your own. They also know the law and, if you can’t reach a plea agreement, they’ll fight to get the charges dropped. What you need to do first is call our office and talk to one of our seasoned Charleston DUI attorneys.
