What Are the Consequences of a DUI Conviction?

Getting a DUI conviction in Union, SC, can strip away your driving privileges, end your career (especially if you drive for a living), and increase your auto insurance rates. Likewise, hefty fines, incarceration, mandatory programs, such as Alcohol and Drug Safety Action Program (ADSAP), or probation, can negatively impact your life for months or years.

Our DUI defense attorneys in Union, SC, can defend you against your DUI charge and plan for both the potential legal and collateral consequences of a conviction. Get in touch with Parker & Bain after being charged with DUI, so we can mitigate potential consequences and safeguard your future.

What Legal Consequences Does State Law Impose?

Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol carries harsh legal penalties. For a first offense, the law mandates a fine of $400 or 48 hours to 30 days in jail. The court may allow public service instead of jail time under specific conditions. If your blood alcohol concentration is between .10% and .16%, the minimum jail time rises to 72 hours. A conviction also requires enrollment in and successful completion of ADSAP.

For repeat offenses, or if your BAC was very high, the penalties can significantly increase fines and minimum jail time. Fines can go into the thousands, and prison sentences can become mandatory for multiple convictions.

What Collateral Consequences Can You?

On top of the legal consequences, a DUI conviction in Union, SC, can likewise carry hidden costs, known as collateral consequences:

Higher Insurance Costs

After a DUI, insurers typically require SR-22 filings, and your premium can skyrocket.

Career Impact

Some jobs, particularly those involving driving or security, may be unavailable or more complex to obtain with a DUI on your record.

Personal Reputation and Stress

A DUI conviction can strain relationships, affect your standing in the community, and bring long-term stress over background checks, housing, and gun rights. Likewise, you may be ineligible for the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program and food stamps via the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Furthermore, non-citizens can face deportation or loss of legal status, even for older DUI convictions.

How a DUI Defense Attorney Can Help You Minimize Long-Term Damage

When a Union, SC, DUI defense lawyer handles your claim, they can:

• Analyze the police report, camera footage, field sobriety, and BAC test data to challenge the stop or the testing procedure.
• Negotiate with prosecutors for reduced charges, lesser penalties, or alternative sentencing, especially if it’s your first offense.
• Restore your driving privileges through DMV hearings or legal motions if your license was suspended.
• Figure out how DUI can affect your insurance, job, and record, and work with you to limit those impacts through plea strategy, record-sealing discussion (if qualifying), and public-safety planning.

Your Union, SC, DUI defense attorney knows how local prosecutors operate, how Union County courts treat first-offense DUIs, and what judges here expect in terms of compliance and rehabilitation. That local knowledge forms a credible defense in court and is respected by the community.

Connect With Our DUI Defense Lawyers in Union, SC

Contact us online or call 864-252-2650 to learn more about your case by scheduling your confidential assessment with our Union, SC, DUI defense attorneys at Parker & Bain.