Apr 8, 2013 | DUI & DWI, Felony DUI, Uncategorized
A car accident in Sumter County, South Carolina has resulted in charges being filed against a woman, who state troopers report was driving under the influence. The fatal accident occurred around 4:00 a.m., when the 25-year-old woman was traveling south on US 521, and veered off the right side of the road smashing into a tree.
Two of the passengers were rushed to Tuomey Hospital with injuries; a third passenger, due to the severity of her injuries, was pronounced dead at the scene. She was not wearing her seatbelt. The driver faces multiple charges for driving under suspension, improper tags, operating a vehicle while uninsured, and felony DUI resulting in death.
In South Carolina, a felony driving under the influence charge can cause lasting damage for all parties and families involved, and can result in both civil suits as well as criminal charges. In South Carolina, a person will be charged with a felony for driving under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or both, if while operating the vehicle under the influence, the person causes great bodily injury or death to a person other than himself including a passenger, pedestrian, and/or another driver.
Great bodily injury is characterized by South Carolina courts as bodily injury, which creates a substantial risk of death or which causes serious or permanent disfigurement or protracted loss or impairment of the function of any bodily member or organ. And, if the person dies from related complications within three years of the DUI-related injury, the driver may be implicated in the death. Further, there are mandatory prison sentences and fines.
Penalties for great bodily injury are as follows: minimum of 30 days to a max of 15 years imprisonment, plus a mandatory fine of $5000, not to exceed $10,100, and a mandatory drivers’ license suspension. The penalties increase if one is convicted for causing the death of another. They are as follows: minimum sentence of at least 1 year in prison with a maximum 25 years imprisonment, and a minimum mandatory fine of not less than $10,100, nor more than $25,100. Further, a license suspension will be enforced for DUI resulting in death as well.
Therefore, if you or a loved one has been charged with a felony DUI, it is unbelievably important for you to retain competent counsel as soon as possible. For a consultation, call the law offices of Reeves, Aiken & Hightower, LLP at 803-548-4444, or toll-free at 877-374-5999.
Apr 8, 2013 | DUI & DWI, Felony DUI, Uncategorized
A Pacolet, South Carolina man was arrested after another man was allegedly run over by a car in the backyard of a home on Memorial Drive. The 50-year-old defendant was charged with driving under the influence with great bodily injury, and second-degree assault and battery, according to the arrest report. When the officers were called, they found that the assailant had allegedly backed over the 54-year-old victim with his truck; however, the defendant stated that the other man’s “leg was broken before the accident.”
The circumstances surround the arrest of the man occurred while EMS workers were assisting the victim, the driver pulled out a knife and the workers had to wrestle him to the ground. In addition to his drinking behind the wheel, the man’s knifing attempts resulted in another charge. He is being held at the Spartanburg County Detention Facility on a $15,000 bond.
If you or a loved one has been charged with DUI, DUI resulting in great bodily injury, or DUI resulting in death, give us a call for a consultation. You can reach us at our Baxter Village office located in Fort Mill, South Carolina at 803-548-4444 or toll-free at 877-374-5999. We understand that bad decisions are very probable when drinking has been engaged in, and we are here to help with your case.
Mar 15, 2013 | DUI & DWI, Felony DUI, Uncategorized
Drivers Beware! St. Patrick’s Day has long been one of the most dangerous holidays on the roads, and data shows that drunken driving violations skyrocket when the holiday falls on a weekend, as it does this year. St. Patrick’s Day is in honor of St. Patrick, one of the most commonly recognized patron saints of Ireland, and was made an official feast day in the early seventeenth century; now it is observed by many denominations commemorating the arrival of Christianity in Ireland.
However, the day also involves public parades and festivals, the wearing of green attire or shamrocks, the Lenten eating and alcohol consumption restrictions are lifted, and most importantly “green beer.” For some people, St. Patty’s Day, with all of the festivities associated with the vibrant holiday, can be taken farther than a day of celebration, and become one of drunken foolishness. As a night of drinking and celebrating metamorphosis’s into the phrase “it’s cool guys, I’m OK to drive,” it is important to take into consideration the implications that can be coupled with such a decision.
Police officers in the state of South Carolina will be out in full force during the entire St. Patty’s Day weekend ripping tickets and taking people to spend the night on the cold shameful bed of the “drunk tank.” While the weekend is an excellent time to enjoy the incoming spring season, and enjoy the holiday, it is also a great time to make bad decisions. These bad decisions can turn into a night in the county’s detention center, fines, and criminal charges. To avoid such consequences, it is important that one, who is partaking in the consumption of alcohol, makes the decision to find a sober driver to drive them home.
Unfortunately, this is not always the case. Therefore, if you have been charged with DUI, Felony DUI, or any other drinking charge, call the law offices of Reeves, Aiken & Hightower, LLP. We have criminal defense attorneys who have experience in dealing with such cases, and we would be happy to schedule a consultation. You can call our Baxter Village office in Fort Mill South Carolina at 803-548-4444, or toll-free at 877-374-5999.
Mar 14, 2013 | DUI & DWI, Felony DUI, Uncategorized
Police report that a Columbia, South Carolina man was charged with Felony DUI after an accident that left one person dead. The accident occurred at the corner of Meeting Street and Sunset Boulevard.
According to the Lexington County Coroner’s office, the victim was from Hattiesburg, Mississippi, and died from his injuries at the Lexington Medical Center. Thereafter, the driver was transferred to the detention center where he will face charges.
If you have been involved in a drunken driving accident, it is possible that you face criminal penalties for the situation. When the accident causes an injury to another party, the punishments become even more severe. It is likely that the person at fault will be charged with a felony for the incident. When “great bodily injury” is caused to an individual as a result of a DUI-instigated accident, the felony DUI conviction brings a mandatory 30 days to up to 15 years in prison. Also, you may be charged with a fine of $5000 to up to $25,000. Further, if someone dies, the individual charged with DUI will face heightened prison time.
If you or someone you know has placed themselves in the position of being charged with a DUI or Felony DUI, make sure you are adequately represented. Our staff has a combined 75 years of experience in handling client cases, and we would be happy to help you with your current predicament. For a consultation, contact the law offices of Reeves, Aiken & Hightower, LLP at 803-548-4444, or toll free at 877-374-5999.
Mar 12, 2013 | DUI & DWI, Felony DUI, Uncategorized
A South Carolina state legislator has stated that he faces a drunken driving charge as a result of a stop that took place on Interstate 77 last year. He is reported to have been stopped after the South Carolina-Georgia Football game on October 6, 2012.
The legislator did not submit to the breathalyzer test, and will face an automatic license suspension. He has stated that he has been able to obtain a provisional license that allowed him to drive to work until the license is fully restored.
A DUI can impact anyone from every single walk of life. South Carolina football is huge, and it is easy for someone to consume one too many alcoholic beverages while attending a game and decide to get behind the wheel of a car. This is also something that is difficult to judge; so, if you have consumed more than one or two drinks before you are supposed to drive, you may be in danger of a DUI charge. Therefore, we recommend you consume nothing before driving. However, if you do we can try to help you. Call the law offices of Reeves, Aiken & Hightower, LLP for a consultation on your DUI charge. You can reach us at 803-548-4444, or toll-free at 877-374-5999.
