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SC DUI Attorney – SC DUI Arrests Increase Dramatically

May 27, 2012 | DUI & DWI, Uncategorized

DUI arrests triple in 2012 compared to 2011

Posted: Apr 30, 2012 7:09 PM EDTUpdated: May 07, 2012 8:06 AM EDT
By Monique Blair
The article below demonstrates one of two possible disturbing trends. On the one hand, it may indicate that more persons are driving under the influence despite an increased police presence. In the alternative, it may reflect that police are simply being more aggressive in making DUI arrests whether the drivers are truly impaired or not. Certainly, no one wants drunk drivers on the road. However, under these circumstances, more innocent individuals can get caught up in the otherwise good intentioned DUI emphasis and end up being arrested falsely. It is not illegal to drink and then drive. Many of us have drinks with our dinner or with friends. Those individuals are perfectly fine to drive. However, if stopped and alcohol is detected, you can expect to be arrested no matter what you do or say at that point. The very best advice to avoid a DUI is to designate someone who does not drink at all.

The DUI attorneys of Reeves Aiken & Hightower LLP stand ready to aggressively defend you if you have been falsely charged with DUI in SC. We offer a state-wide practice but currently focus our practice in York, Lancaster, Richland, and Lexington counties. We encourage you to visit our website at www.rjrlaw.com and compare our attorneys’ credentials to any other firm. You can then call us toll-free at 877-374-5999 for a private, confidential consultation to review your particular case. Be safe this Memorial Day weekend.

In 2012, 159 arrests have been made in connection with driving under the influence. In 2011 at this time, only 49 arrests had been made.

Myrtle Beach Traffic Division Police Officer Kevin Cast said there are many reasons for the influx in arrests. He said the new training offered to recruits allows officers who enter the field for the first time to be completely trained to detect an impaired driver.

It is a certification in advanced DUI detection that recruits receive. Cast said until now, officers in the past had gone up to three years before receiving that specific type of training.

Cast said there is also an increased number of field sobriety instructors. Two years ago, there were only two certified field sobriety instructors compared to the seven officers the Myrtle Beach Police have now.

Local Criminal Defense Attorney, Amy Lawrence, said she thinks the nice weather earlier than usual is a reason for the high rate of arrests.

“We have better weather earlier in the game, so we have a lot more people. Anytime in Myrtle Beach, we can have hundreds of thousands of extra people and a lot of those are families and people here on vacation and so the influx in people alone is what brings our numbers up a lot,” Lawrence said.

Lawrence said finding balance between getting dangerous drivers off the roads and making unnecessary arrests could be really tough.

“We’ve got a state and city who’s trying to protect their constituents and family members and we’ve got all these tourists and the issue becomes, do we arrest more people in an abundance of caution or do we let it go and not have those DUI’s?  I think they’re just willing to arrest, and ask questions later,” Lawrence said.

Officer Cast said so far in 2012, there has been one vehicle fatality that was related to alcohol.

Copyright 2012 WMBF News. All rights reserved.

SC DUI Attorney / NC DWI Lawyer – How Many Drinks Before You’re Legally Impaired

May 6, 2012 | DUI & DWI, Uncategorized

There is always “bar talk” about how many drinks (alcohol, wine, beer) a person can have before they are considered “legally drunk”? While many profess to know the answer, there actually is no true scientific basis to calculate same with any certainty. An individual’s blood alcohol level is affected by a number of factors including age, weight, gender, time of day, physical condition, food consumed prior to taking a drink, other drugs or medication taken, and tolerance level. One thing we do know is that eating while drinking slows down the absorption of alcohol into your bloodstream, thereby resulting in a lower BAC level. Always remember that alcohol affects everyone differently. If you rarely drink, you could be severely impaired by a single beer. The only real conclusion reached is that impairment begins with the first drink, and that by the time you “feel drunk,” you’re probably already past the legal limit.

The Department of Justice estimates that over 1.4 million drivers were arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol or narcotics in 2005 (the latest data available). The arrest rate works out to one arrest for every 139 licensed drivers in the United States. Although these are the latest arrest figures, it is doubtful these numbers have improved. Sadly, DUI and DWI arrests continue to rise every year, and legislatures around the country continue to pass even stricter and harsher laws.

The criminal defense attorneys of Reeves, Aiken & Hightower LLP focus their practice on DUI and DWI cases in both SC and NC. Our trial lawyers have over 70 years combined experience in the courtroom. We fight hard for our clients by taking their cases to trial in order to win an acquittal or get the best negotiated plea. Prosecutors know which law firms are willing to go to court and if they know what they are doing when they get there. Our team of attorneys have unique backgrounds and qualifications. For more information about our lawyers and firm, please visit www.rjrlaw.com. Compare our firm to any other. Then call us for a private consultation at 877-374-5999. We welcome an opportunity to help you and your family.