May 14, 2013 | DUI & DWI, Felony DUI, Uncategorized
In the State of South Carolina, the law states that it is unlawful to operate a vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration (B.A.C.) above the 
0.08, or to drive under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs. Further, the prosecution must show that the driver was impaired by alcohol or drugs, the level of impairment being based on observations and evidence of driving ability, physical appearance, field sobriety tests and any other relevant evidence which can help prove a persons driving ability was impaired.
Detection of impairment may be difficult at times due to the fact that what may impair one person’s driving ability may not impair another person’s abilities. Therefore, the detecting officer must make several observations that assists in determining probable cause to arrest. These include the following:
- Making a turn too widely or narrowly;
- Almost striking someone;
- Wavering or drifting from one side of the road to another;
- Driving too close to another vehicle;
- Erratic braking;
- Driving on the center lines; and
- Straddling the center line
Regardless of the B.A.C level, one can be charged as being impaired if impairment is proven to the legal extent necessary. If an officer deems that the driver has failed the field sobriety test, or the circumstances surrounding the arrest determine the driver was impaired, they will likely be able to charge the driver with DUI in South Carolina.
If you or a loved one has been charged with DUI in South Carolina, contact the law offices of Reeves, Aiken & Hightower, LLP for a confidential consultation. You can reach our Baxter Village office in Fort Mill, South Carolina at 803-548-4444, or toll-free at 877-374-5999.
May 14, 2013 | DUI & DWI, Felony DUI, Uncategorized
A Richland, South Carolina woman, who was the operator of a local school bus, has been charged with DWI as she was on her way to transport
students to school. According to the police report, the bus driver lost control of the school bus while she was driving, which is what caused the police officers to investigate further. Fortunately, the bus driver was the only person within the school bus at the time of the accident. This accident is reported to have occurred at 9:10 a.m. in the morning.
When officers suspected the operator of having been intoxicated at the time of the accident, they thereafter decided to administer a breath-test. When the woman blew into the breathalyzer, the device registered a .17 alcohol content, which is more than double the legal limit in South Carolina. When questioned by the police, the woman stated that she did not have anything to drink that morning; however, she did consume an entire box of wine the previous night. She is being charged with DUI and Child Endangerment.
If you or a loved one has been charged with a DWI or drinking related crime, contact the law offices of Reeves, Aiken & Hightower, LLP for a consultation. You can reach our Baxter Village office located in Fort Mill, South Carolina at 803-548-4444, or toll-free at 877-374-5999.
May 13, 2013 | DUI & DWI, Felony DUI, Uncategorized
A 28-year-old Alamance County man has been charged in Superior Court to habitual driving while impaired after he was found to be under 
the influence of the prescription anxiety medication, Clonazepam. The man also pleaded guilty to possession of a controlled substance on jail premises when Clonazepam was found on him as he was being processed at the Alamance Detention Center.
These charges took place last year. The man has two previous DWI convictions; one in 2004 and the other in 2011. Police entered into a plea deal with the offender when he agreed to plead guilty to the DWI and possession of a controlled substance charge in exchange for the dismissal of a possession of a stolen motor vehicle charge and a possession of stolen goods charge.
Thereafter, the man was issued a 25 to 39 month active sentence on the DWI and a consecutive 15 to 27 month sentence on the drug possession charge with 122 days time served.
If you or a loved one has been charged with a DWI, or any other crime, call the law offices of Reeves, Aiken & Hightower, LLP at our Charlotte, North Carolina office at 704-499-9000. If you have been charged in South Carolina, you can contact our Baxter Village office in Fort Mill at 803-548-4444. The consultation will be completely confidential. Also, please feel free to visit our website here.
May 13, 2013 | DUI & DWI, Felony DUI, Uncategorized
A mother and her daughter were killed after a car-accident that took place on Independence Boulevard in Matthews Township near the 
Matthews Festival Shopping Center. The wreck occurred when a man’s Chevy Trailblazer collided with the Honda CRV driven by the victims. The 62-year-old mother, and the 37-year-old daughter were both killed in the crash. The daughter’s children were also injured in the wreck, but they are expected to survive.
A 28-year-old man is being charged with DWI and reckless driving in connection with the crash. He is still in the hospital, and is likely to receive additional charges as the investigation progresses.
If you have been charged in connection with a DWI or DWI related incident, contact the law offices of Reeves, Aiken & Hightower, LLP at our Charlotte, North Carolina office. For a confidential consultation, contact us at 704-499-9000, or toll-free at 877-374-5999.
May 10, 2013 | DUI & DWI, Felony DUI, Uncategorized
Police in Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina have arrested a woman for driving under the influence after she allegedly lost control of her vehicle on
the Shem Creek Bridge, smashing concrete and metal railing into the creek. This occurred around 2:00 a.m., and officer report that they arrived to discover the woman’s SUV on the sidewalk, facing the southbound lane. The vehicle was also reported to be dangerously wavering off the bridge.
The report states that the SUV had collided with a palm tree in the median before veering back into the railing of the bridge. Thereafter, the concrete and metal railing splashed into the river. The 20-year-old driver suffered no injuries, and she reported to police that she had only consumed one alcoholic beverage. She refused to take field sobriety and breathalyzer tests, according to the police.
She is being charged with driving under the influence, and was taken to the Charleston County Detention Center, where she was issued a $997 surety bond. Further, according to Mt. Pleasant police, she was previously arrested in late March and charged with public drunkenness, and having a fake driver’s license.
If you or a loved one has been involved in a collision and DWI charges were issued, it is extremely important for you to call an attorney. For a confidential consultation, contact the law offices of Reeves, Aiken & Hightower, LLP at our Baxter Village office located in Fort Mill, South Carolina at 803-548-4444, or toll-free at 877-374-4444.
May 8, 2013 | DUI & DWI, Felony DUI, Uncategorized
A high school principal employed in Hyde County, North Carolina was arrested for DWI a few weeks ago after police were called to an 
accident where his vehicle crashed into a utility pole. This accident occurred at 12:45 p.m., and it is believed that the man drove into a curve in the road, over-corrected, and smashed into a utility pole. Further, the vehicle belongs to the school system with whom he is employed.
When police arrived at the scene, it was reported that his blood alcohol concentration was over a .10. Thereafter, the principal was placed on leave by the school board while school officials investigate the events surrounding the situation.
If you or a loved one has been charged with DWI or a DWI related charge, contact our Charlotte, North Carolina office for a confidential consultation. You can reach us at 704-499-9000, or toll-free at 877-374-5999. Also, if you have been charged with DUI in South Carolina, call our Baxter Village office located in Fort Mill, South Carolina at 803-548-4444.
0.08, or to drive under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs. Further, the prosecution must show that the driver was impaired by alcohol or drugs, the level of impairment being based on observations and evidence of driving ability, physical appearance, field sobriety tests and any other relevant evidence which can help prove a persons driving ability was impaired.
