OUR INDIAN LAND DUI ATTORNEYS AND CREDENTIALS

If you have been arrested for an Indian Land DUI, we can help. Our team of experienced DUI defense attorneys have years of experience fighting DUI cases. We employ a team approach including a former SC DUI prosecutor. Our lawyers are members of the National College for DUI Defense and have earned certificates from the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) in DWI Investigation and Standardized Field Sobriety Testing as well as the Advanced Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement (ARIDE) courses. This is the same training that police officers undergo, and the information covered is extremely valuable when defending cases in court. Now, we can challenge the officer’s procedures with the NHTSA Manual on how these tests must be administered to be deemed reliable. If the tests are not administered properly as directed, the manual states any results are invalidated and, therefore. not proper evidence.

ROBERT J. REEVES () 803-554-4157

 

Attorney Robert J. Reeves is a veteran litigator with 25 years trial experience in both civil and criminal courts. In his personal injury practice, he must fully develop the evidence  and prove his case to a jury. In criminal cases, the entire burden of proof is on the State. They must convince a jury of a defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt and by unanimous vote. Mr. Reeves loves to try cases. Of course, the option whether to go to trial or accept a plea offer is always the client’s decision. What we do for our clients is conduct a complete and thorough review of all of the evidence and then present options and recommendations. We answer your questions and give you our advice. The decision on how to proceed is yours. You are always in charge of your case. Over his career, Mr. Reeves has been recognized by his peers and has been inducted into the National Trial Lawyers Top 100, and is a member of the South Carolina Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers as well as the National College for DUI Defense. He is personally available when you need answers. After hours, weekends, even holidays.

THOMAS W. HOLLAND SR. ()

Mr. Holland has been practicing law for over twenty (20) years and is licensed in both South Carolina and Virginia. He began his career as a South Carolina prosecutor. He has been an Assistant Solicitor with the Sixteenth Judicial Circuit (Union County), a violent crime prosecutor with the Sixth Judicial Circuit, as well as a Lancaster South Carolina City Solicitor. Mr. Holland has also been made an Special Assistant United States Attorney and was General Counsel for the Lancaster County SC Sheriff’s Office. In addition to his private law practice, Tom also teaches as an Adjunct Instructor at the University of South Carolina (Lancaster campus) including courses in Criminal Procedure and Policing/Criminal Courts. Mr. Holland is a strategic practitioner who carefully evaluates every aspect of a DUI case from his former prosecutorial perspective. More specifically, he looks for police procedural error and also determines how a client appears on video. Having tried so many cases over the years, Mr. Holland gauges what parts of a video will be helpful to juries as they decide whether to convict or acquit.

EXPERIENCED INDIAN LAND DUI ATTORNEYS

 

First, let’s start with an understanding that simply being arrested and charged with DUI, DWI or DUAC does NOT mean you are guilty or are going to be convicted. Everyone charged with a crime is presumed innocent and that’s where we begin our review. Our clients have to prove nothing, The State has to prove everything. And they have to prove you guilty beyond a reasonable doubt to a jury by unanimous vote. That’s where we come in. We are experienced DUI defense attorneys here in the Indian Land SC area. So how did you find yourself looking for a DUI lawyer in the first place?

Situated on the North Carolina and South Carolina border, Indian Land is a growing suburb of the Charlotte Metro area. Even though these areas are close geographically, the South Carolina DUI laws are substantially different from North Carolina DWI laws. The good news is that we are licensed in both SC and NC and can help clients on either side of the border. Life can change in an instant. Most of our clients are first time offenders and have never been in any real trouble before. They simply went out to dinner or were watching a sporting event with friends. Sure, they had a drink, a glass of wine, or a few beers, but they felt fine getting ready to go home. They are hard working individuals with good jobs and would never knowingly get behind the wheel if they thought they were impaired or otherwise unsafe to drive. Nevertheless, on the way back home, they come up on a checkpoint or are stopped for a minor infraction. As soon as the officer smells alcohol on your breath, game over. A DUI investigation will begin, and no matter what you do or say at this point will matter. You can plan on being arrested and spending the night in jail. If you answer the officer’s questions and attempt to perform the roadside tests, you are most likely going to fail and be arrested. And, if you refuse anything, here come the handcuffs. The only real way to avoid a DUI or DWI is not have anything at all to drink before you drive.

SOUTH CAROLINA DUI LAW ADVANTAGES

There are three (3) distinct advantages under SC DUI law. First, there is video recording equipment in all police vehicles. This is important because it eliminates the “he said, she said” aspect of other criminal cases without video. It also eliminates the need for most persons charged to testify in court. Frankly, everything that needs to be said or seen will be on the video. Secondly, you get a jury trial before your peers. In North Carolina, the first trial is  heard before a judge only. We are big believers in a jury because we can nullify an individual’s preconceptions about DUI cases. The emotional stigma of DUI has to be addressed early so that anyone charged can get a fair trial based on the evidence. And finally, the laws in SC are fair in that there are specific requirements of the police which must be followed or evidence can be suppressed or cases dismissed. For example, officers must perform all field sobriety tests and read Miranda warnings in full view of video. Also, the breath testing procedures must be closely followed and recorded. If not, we will make appropriate Motions before or during trial.

POTENTIAL DUI PENALTIES IN BOTH SOUTH CAROLINA AND NORTH CAROLINA

Many of our clients live in one State and work in another. As a result, we get cases where they may be consequences in both States. For example, if you live in NC and get convicted of a DUI in SC, SC will first revoke your driving privileges for six (6) months and impose other penalties as well. Then, NC will be notified and revoke your driver’s license for one (1) year. Of course, you are usually eligible for special restricted licenses in each State, but your lawyer will need to help guide you through both processes. Fortunately, Mr. Reeves is licensed in both SC and NC so that he can help with all driving issues without the inconvenience and expense of having to hire additional law firms.

CHOOSING AN INDIAN LAND DUI LAWYER

Before you decide which law firm to hire, we encourage you to critically review the actual credentials and experience of several lawyers. It might even be wise to meet and discuss your case so that you can retain the lawyer you’re most comfortable with and have the most confidence. We would welcome an opportunity to meet with you and your family. Call us today to make an appointment. You can reach Robert Reeves directly at 803-554-4157 after hours, weekends, even holidays. We are here when you need us. You’ll sleep better after you get some answers.