Mar 12, 2013 | DUI & DWI, Felony DUI, Uncategorized
The state of South Carolina’s sixteen county prosecutors are asking the state for an additional $1.6 million to pay for prosecutors to handle the state’s 28,000 DUI cases per year. Governor Nikki Haley has even included the money in her proposed budget submitted early last month.
However, State Representative Mike Pitts, who is chairman of the committee that oversees the law enforcement budgets of South Carolina has stated that he does not “know that we will have the money to honor it this particular year.”
The problem the state is confronted with now is that State Troopers may have to argue these cases. This is a problem because the troopers rely on prosecutors to argue motions and other documents that usually require legal training.
Two years ago, almost 50 percent of all driving deaths in South Carolina involved an alcohol impaired driver. That number has fallen by about 10 percent this year, but it is still one of the highest in the United States. This is related to the high rate of DUI prosecution in the state. This high rate of prosecution inevitably demands from the state budget. Because of such a high number of DUI’s, and the lack of budgetary funds, an inadequate number of attorneys will be prosecuting such cases. It will now rest on the state police officers.
The fact that many state troopers may have to argue motions that a lawyer would typically be arguing demands a certain level of efficiency within state government. With untrained professionals arguing something that trained professionals should argue, it leaves open channels for abuse of discretion. It is important that one who has been charged with a DUI has competent legal counsel.
If you or a loved one has been charged with a DUI in the state of South Carolina, call the law offices of Reeves, Aiken & Hightower, LLP. We are here to make sure an offender’s rights are taken into full account when a person is being prosecuted. You can reach our Baxter Village office in Fort Mill, South Carolina at 803-548-4444, or toll free at 877-374-5999.
Mar 8, 2013 | DUI & DWI, Uncategorized
A Chester, SC man will likely be charged with driving under the influence after he drove his car into a pool last week. The 32-year-old driver was airlifted to Carolinas Medical Center with serious injuries after he was rescued from the pool by emergency workers.
The crash is currently under investigation as the police believe the man was under the influence. The man resided across the street from where the accident occurred.
If you or a loved one has been charged with DUI, or a related charge, call the law offices of Reeves, Aiken & Hightower, LLP. We have experienced attorneys who are ready to fight for you. Call our BaxterVillage office in Fort Mill, South Carolina at 803-548-4444, or toll free at 877-374-5999.
Mar 7, 2013 | DUI & DWI, Felony DUI, Uncategorized
A Clover, South Carolina man, who was involved in the hit-and-run of a cyclist in July, pled guilty this week to Felony DUI, and leaving the scene of an accident which resulted in death. The man apologized through tears, and uttered that he was sorry to the man’s family. The man was sentenced to 15 years in prison.
The cyclist was riding his bicycle on Heckle Boulevard in Rock Hill when the driver’s sedan struck him and threw him off to the shoulder of the road. The man was taken to the hospital where he died shortly thereafter.
The driver, however, fled the scene of the accident; he was later apprehended by authorities after they found the man’s Mazda driving with a flat tire. Police report that two hours after the accident, the man had a blood alcohol concentration (B.A.C) or .08. However, the toxicology report showed Benadryl, Valium, and Klonopin in the man’s system.
Reporters state that Hollis pled guilty to receive a lesser sentence. Felony DUI hit-and-run resulting in death can carry a sentence of up to 25 years in prison and up to $25,000 fines.
The decision to drink and use illegal (and even legal) substances before getting behind the wheel of a vehicle can hold serious implications. Accidents can happen, and if they occur when someone is under the influence of a controlled substance, criminal penalties may drastically increase. Depending on the situation, a person can be charged with DUI, Felony DUI, DUI resulting in serious bodily injury, and even DUI resulting in death. For the reason stated above, it is important that when one makes the decision to drink alcohol, or use other substances, they do not drive a vehicle.
However, alcohol can lower one’s inhibitions to the point that prudent decisions may not be made. When you or a loved one has been implicated in an infraction associated with driving under the influence, you must have effective representation. Call the law offices of Reeves, Aiken & Hightower, LLP. We have experience in dealing with alcohol related offenses. You can reach our Baxter Village office in beautiful Fort Mill, South Carolina at 803-548-4444 or toll free at 877-374-5999. We would be delighted to assist you.
Mar 6, 2013 | DUI & DWI, Felony DUI, Uncategorized
A 50-year-old Rock Hill, South Carolina man was charged with his third driving under the influence (DUI) charge at 2:00 a.m. on New Years Day. Officers report that he failed to stop for the officer’s blue light, and when he eventually can to a stop, he parked in the front of a resident’s lawn.
Rock Hill Police discovered that the man had two previous convictions for DUI; the current charge being the man’s third. Further, the breathalyzer test reading was at a allegedly a .20, according to the Police report.
If you or a loved one is struggling with repetitive DUI or drug charges, you must be represented by competent council. At Reeves, Aiken & Hightower, LLP, we have attorneys with over 20 years of experience in assisting clients with their legal problems. Do not hesitate to call our Baxter Village office in Fort Mill, South Carolina for a consultation; you can reach us at 803-548-4444. Also, feel free to call our toll free number at 877-374-5999.
Jan 15, 2013 | DUI & DWI, Uncategorized
An intoxicated Rock Hill man’s pants fell to the ground when authorities confronted him Saturday after he drove his car into a curb before registering a .23 blood alcohol level, police say.
A driver called police to report that a reckless driver in front of them hit a curb at the 700 block of Heckle Boulevard before pulling into a restaurant and then parking in the street’s median, according to a Rock Hill Police report. When officers arrived, the driver, got out the car and stood in front of police. That’s when his pants fell to the ground, the report states. The defendant failed three different field sobriety tests and registered a .23 blood alcohol concentration after a breath test. The legal limit in South Carolina is .08.
Nobody wants to see himself embarrassed in front of his community by having his drunken antics and driving under the influence (DUI) arrest being read in the newspaper by everyone the next morning. Unfortunately, once the person is arrested and charged with DUI, little can be done to stop the public from being kept in the dark on the charges. The assistance of a lawyer can greatly help to mitigate the stress created by the harsh public disdain DUI charges bring by seeking to reach the best possible outcome for the client.
Whatever the case may be, and whatever type of “DUI” you have been charged with, contact the law offices of Reeves, Aiken, and Hightower to have your claim evaluated. We are licesnsed in both North and South Carolina, where you can contact us at 704-499-9000 or 877-374-5999 toll-free.
