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V. Craig Jones, Jr.
Attorney at Law
225 Seven Farms Drive
Suite 109
Charleston, SC 29492
Phone: 843-766-2211
Fax: 843-471-2894
Map & Directions
Driving Under the Influence (DUI)
Criminal Defense Attorney in South Carolina
Handling DUI Defense throughout the Charleston Area
Handling Driving Under the Influence (DUI) and Driving with Unlawful Alcohol Concentrations (DUAC) cases throughout the Charleston, Berkeley, Dorchester Area. When you need a DUI Attorney, let us help!
If you have been charged with drinking and driving, you want an experienced DUI lawyer to protect you. A conviction for drunk driving has significant consequences, including substantial fines, increased insurance premiums, the loss of your driving privileges, possible jail time, job implications and a negative social stigmatism. You want a DUI lawyer who fully understands alcohol-related offenses and DUI law. A lawyer who has successfully helped others in similar situations.
I have successfully defended hundreds of DUI's in course of my career. As a former Charleston County Sheriff's Deputy, I have had the unique experience of arresting and prosecuting DUI's. I have a comprehensive understanding of all alcohol-related offenses in the state of South Carolina and will aggressively defend you.
We work with men and women at all stages of a charge for DUAC or DUI [also referred to as driving while under the influence (DWI) operating under the influence (OUI) or driving while intoxicated in other states.] We also represent individuals who have been charged with boating under the influence (BUI). We handle the criminal prosecution as well as the administrative proceeding regarding license suspension or revocation.
There is a perception that once charged with DUI or DUAC a conviction is certain and that the only option for a charged individual is to plead guilty. While I, nor any other attorney, can guarantee a result, it is important that all aspects of the case be reviewed thoroughly. Did the police follow the correct procedure? Was the BAC DataMaster breath machine properly calibrated? Was the evidence properly preserved and able to be used to prosecute the case? Did the person blow into the machine? If they did, was the proper procedure followed? Can the state and police get that breath reading into evidence? Problems with the case often can lead to a reduced charge or dismissal.
If the state has a strong case what are the ramification's if you plea? Can the punishment be reduced? Can we get you a drivers license? What is an Implied Consent Hearing? What is a Provisional License? What is a Route Restricted License? What is an Temporary Alcohol Restricted License (TARL)? We can and will help you to get the best possible outcome!
What is an Administrative Hearing for DUI and DUAC?
When you drive on South Carolina's roads, whether an in-state or out-of-state resident, you impliedly consent to give a breath sample if a law enforcement officer has probable cause to believe that an individual is driving under the influence (DUI). At that time an officer will ask you to typically submit to a breath test. A suspension in this matter arises in one of two way.
1. If an individual gets a refusal, he or she refuses to give a sample (blowing into the BAC Datamaster machine), which will result in an immediate suspension of the individuals drivers license for six (6) months or,
2. Blowing into the machine and registring .15 or greater, which will result in an immediate license suspension of one (1) month.
Both of the above result in immediate suspensions, but if this is your first offense you should be eligible to get a temporary license if you request an administrative hearing! Eligibility for a Temporary Alcohol Restricted License is only for a first offense. This license is called a Temporary Alcohol Restricted License (TARL) and allows you to drive unrestricted, generally, until the outcome of your Administrative Hearing. You only have thirty (30) days from your arrest to request this hearing! A proper request for this hearing can often result in you having a drivers license back in just a few days!
How do you file for a TARL licencse? In the paperwork you received from the arresting officer you should have a two sided document (usually pink in color) entitled Notice of Suspension. On the front of this notice are the directions and cost ($150.00) for requesting and Administrative Hearing, which is required to get the TARL license. On the top of the back of this sheet you will find where you will need to fill out some information. It is important to write legibly or type, especially if the address is different from you drivers license. We always recommend that you make a copy of all your filled out forms and that you mail it certified and tracked to ensure and confirm it's arrival.
Depending on how quick the DMV processes your request, you will receive notification generally withing four (4) to ten (10) days that your request has been processed and you can go to any DMV branch and get the TARL license. If you are from out of state the above process is the same, but the arresting officer should not have physically taken your out of state license. You are suspended in South Carolina though! You must follow the same process as above, but you will be sent additional paperwork that must be filled out to get the TARL priveleges for your out of state license. The forms for the out of state TARL will be sent directly to you from the DMV. We can assist with all of the above if you choose to retain us.
If we do not prevail at the Administrative Hearing and this is your first offense, you will have to serve the balance of the suspension period and we will then seek a Route Restricted License, which will allow you restricted driving priveleges.
In the event that you ultimately have to plead guilty or are found guilty of DUI or DUAC and this is a first offense, you will most likely be eligible for a Provisional License, which generally allows you to drive unrestricted anywhere and anytime during the six (6) month DUI/DUAC suspension period, with the provision that you not get any other traffic violations during the six months.
South Carolina's new tiered DUI penalties as of February 10th, 2009. Be informed!!!
1st Offense:
BAC of .08 or .09 $400 fine or 48 hours community service or 48 hrs to 30 days jail
BAC of .10 to .15 $500 fine or 72 hours community service or 72 hrs to 30 days jail
BAC of .16 up $1000 fine or 30 days community service or 30 to 90 days jail
2nd Offense:
BAC of .08 or .09 $2100 to $5100 fine and 5 days to 1 year in jail
BAC of .10 to .15 $2500 to $5500 fine and 30 days to 2 years in jail
BAC of .16 up $3500 to $6500 fine and 90 days to 3 years in jail
The penalties for DUAC are very similar. Again, alcohol violations are complicated. If you need a DUI Attorney call us! If you need a DUAC Attorney call us! Give us a chance to help you!
We handle Summerville DUI 's DUAC 's, Isle of Palms DUI 's DUAC 's, Sullivans Island DUI 's DUAC, James Island DUI 's DUAC 's, Moncks Corner DUI 's DUAC 's, Folly Beach DUI 's DUAC 's, Mt. Pleasant DUI 's DUAC 's and all surrounding areas.
For a confidential consultation to discuss your drunk driving charge, contact us by e-mail or call 843-766-2211. Our office is open Monday through Friday, from 9 am to 5 pm, evenings and weekends by appointment. We can be reached 24 hours a day.
24 Hour Emergency Number 843-475-3064
We travel to the county jails of Charleston County, Dorchester County, and Berkeley County.
Handling DUI Defense throughout the Charleston Area
Handling Driving Under the Influence (DUI) and Driving with Unlawful Alcohol Concentrations (DUAC) cases throughout the Charleston, Berkeley, Dorchester Area. When you need a DUI Attorney, let us help!
If you have been charged with drinking and driving, you want an experienced DUI lawyer to protect you. A conviction for drunk driving has significant consequences, including substantial fines, increased insurance premiums, the loss of your driving privileges, possible jail time, job implications and a negative social stigmatism. You want a DUI lawyer who fully understands alcohol-related offenses and DUI law. A lawyer who has successfully helped others in similar situations.
I have successfully defended hundreds of DUI's in course of my career. As a former Charleston County Sheriff's Deputy, I have had the unique experience of arresting and prosecuting DUI's. I have a comprehensive understanding of all alcohol-related offenses in the state of South Carolina and will aggressively defend you.
We work with men and women at all stages of a charge for DUAC or DUI [also referred to as driving while under the influence (DWI) operating under the influence (OUI) or driving while intoxicated in other states.] We also represent individuals who have been charged with boating under the influence (BUI). We handle the criminal prosecution as well as the administrative proceeding regarding license suspension or revocation.
There is a perception that once charged with DUI or DUAC a conviction is certain and that the only option for a charged individual is to plead guilty. While I, nor any other attorney, can guarantee a result, it is important that all aspects of the case be reviewed thoroughly. Did the police follow the correct procedure? Was the BAC DataMaster breath machine properly calibrated? Was the evidence properly preserved and able to be used to prosecute the case? Did the person blow into the machine? If they did, was the proper procedure followed? Can the state and police get that breath reading into evidence? Problems with the case often can lead to a reduced charge or dismissal.
If the state has a strong case what are the ramification's if you plea? Can the punishment be reduced? Can we get you a drivers license? What is an Implied Consent Hearing? What is a Provisional License? What is a Route Restricted License? What is an Temporary Alcohol Restricted License (TARL)? We can and will help you to get the best possible outcome!
What is an Administrative Hearing for DUI and DUAC?
When you drive on South Carolina's roads, whether an in-state or out-of-state resident, you impliedly consent to give a breath sample if a law enforcement officer has probable cause to believe that an individual is driving under the influence (DUI). At that time an officer will ask you to typically submit to a breath test. A suspension in this matter arises in one of two way.
1. If an individual gets a refusal, he or she refuses to give a sample (blowing into the BAC Datamaster machine), which will result in an immediate suspension of the individuals drivers license for six (6) months or,
2. Blowing into the machine and registring .15 or greater, which will result in an immediate license suspension of one (1) month.
Both of the above result in immediate suspensions, but if this is your first offense you should be eligible to get a temporary license if you request an administrative hearing! Eligibility for a Temporary Alcohol Restricted License is only for a first offense. This license is called a Temporary Alcohol Restricted License (TARL) and allows you to drive unrestricted, generally, until the outcome of your Administrative Hearing. You only have thirty (30) days from your arrest to request this hearing! A proper request for this hearing can often result in you having a drivers license back in just a few days!
How do you file for a TARL licencse? In the paperwork you received from the arresting officer you should have a two sided document (usually pink in color) entitled Notice of Suspension. On the front of this notice are the directions and cost ($150.00) for requesting and Administrative Hearing, which is required to get the TARL license. On the top of the back of this sheet you will find where you will need to fill out some information. It is important to write legibly or type, especially if the address is different from you drivers license. We always recommend that you make a copy of all your filled out forms and that you mail it certified and tracked to ensure and confirm it's arrival.
Depending on how quick the DMV processes your request, you will receive notification generally withing four (4) to ten (10) days that your request has been processed and you can go to any DMV branch and get the TARL license. If you are from out of state the above process is the same, but the arresting officer should not have physically taken your out of state license. You are suspended in South Carolina though! You must follow the same process as above, but you will be sent additional paperwork that must be filled out to get the TARL priveleges for your out of state license. The forms for the out of state TARL will be sent directly to you from the DMV. We can assist with all of the above if you choose to retain us.
If we do not prevail at the Administrative Hearing and this is your first offense, you will have to serve the balance of the suspension period and we will then seek a Route Restricted License, which will allow you restricted driving priveleges.
In the event that you ultimately have to plead guilty or are found guilty of DUI or DUAC and this is a first offense, you will most likely be eligible for a Provisional License, which generally allows you to drive unrestricted anywhere and anytime during the six (6) month DUI/DUAC suspension period, with the provision that you not get any other traffic violations during the six months.
South Carolina's new tiered DUI penalties as of February 10th, 2009. Be informed!!!
1st Offense:
BAC of .08 or .09 $400 fine or 48 hours community service or 48 hrs to 30 days jail
BAC of .10 to .15 $500 fine or 72 hours community service or 72 hrs to 30 days jail
BAC of .16 up $1000 fine or 30 days community service or 30 to 90 days jail
2nd Offense:
BAC of .08 or .09 $2100 to $5100 fine and 5 days to 1 year in jail
BAC of .10 to .15 $2500 to $5500 fine and 30 days to 2 years in jail
BAC of .16 up $3500 to $6500 fine and 90 days to 3 years in jail
The penalties for DUAC are very similar. Again, alcohol violations are complicated. If you need a DUI Attorney call us! If you need a DUAC Attorney call us! Give us a chance to help you!
We handle Summerville DUI 's DUAC 's, Isle of Palms DUI 's DUAC 's, Sullivans Island DUI 's DUAC, James Island DUI 's DUAC 's, Moncks Corner DUI 's DUAC 's, Folly Beach DUI 's DUAC 's, Mt. Pleasant DUI 's DUAC 's and all surrounding areas.
For a confidential consultation to discuss your drunk driving charge, contact us by e-mail or call 843-766-2211. Our office is open Monday through Friday, from 9 am to 5 pm, evenings and weekends by appointment. We can be reached 24 hours a day.
24 Hour Emergency Number 843-475-3064
We travel to the county jails of Charleston County, Dorchester County, and Berkeley County.
Visa and MasterCard Accepted ◊ Access to Spanish language interpreters
Craig Jones, Jr.
Attorney at Law
225 Seven Farms Drive
Suite 109
Charleston, SC 29492
Phone: 843-766-2211
Fax: 843-471-2894
Map & Directions
At the law office of Craig Jones, Jr., in Charleston, we represent clients throughout the tri-county area, including North Charleston, Summerville, Mt. Pleasant, Moncks Corner, Goose Creek, James Island, Sullivan's Island, Daniel Island, Isle of Palms, St. George, McClellanville, Ladson, Hanahan and Georgetown; and in Charleston County, Dorchester County, Berkeley County and Georgetown County.