So what is the penalty for a Felony DUI in South Carolina when someone is killed during an intoxicated crash?
There is actually a difference in causing great bodily injury to someone vs. reckless homicide for a Felony DUI.
Accordingly, the South Carolina statute states that ” for causing great bodily injury, the following defendant will:
(1) Spend anywhere from 30 days to 15 years in jail under the mandatory imprisonment requirement. This jail time would be spent in either a state or federal prison, not a local prison. This means that your loved ones maybe sent anywhere in the state, and to visit them you may have to drive multiple hours as opposed to a few minutes.
(2) There will be a mandatory fine the defendant is required to pay anywhere from $5000-$10,000 dollars
(3) And lastly, the defendant’s driver’s license will be suspended during the term of imprisonment (obviously) and then three additional years after his release.
The three aforementioned requirements are for someone who has again caused “great bodily injury;” however things change for causing death during a Felony DUI.
Accordingly, in the case at hand, the defendant will be forced to abide by the following requirements:
(1) He will spend anywhere from 1 year to 25 years in mandatory imprisonment in a state or federal jail, as discussed above. No local” jail” will be permitted here.
(2) His fine is exponentially higher, ranging anywhere from $10,000-$25,000 dollars.
(3) And lastly, his driver’s license will be suspended five years after his release from prison, unlike the three years for great bodily injury.
If you have been charged with a DUI in the South Carolina, contact the law offices of Reeves, Aiken, and Hightower, LLP toll-free at 877-374-5999 for more information on your case.