Fort Mill Criminal Defense & DUI Attorney

Everyone deserves a legal advocate who genuinely cares about their case and treats them with compassion. Attorney Bruce is a dedicated defense attorney who prioritizes the well-being of his clients and their families throughout the case. With the right legal support at your side, you can face your charges knowing that you have a legal advocate who cares about you and will do all he can to get the best outcome possible.

Drug Crimes

South Carolina categorizes most drug crimes based on the controlled substance involved and the amount or weight of the drug involved: possession, possession with intent to distribute/distribution, and trafficking. Marijuana, cocaine, prescription drugs, methamphetamine, crack cocaine, and fentanyl are some of the more common drugs seen in the Fort Mill area.

Penalties for drug offenses in South Carolina can be harsh, particularly for subsequent drug offenses and trafficking offenses. All trafficking offenses in South Carolina carry mandatory minimum prison sentences.

Domestic Violence

In South Carolina, domestic violence involves someone causing harm or injury to a household member or threatening or attempting to cause them harm or injury. Household members include spouses, former spouses, people who have a child together, and people of the opposite sex who live together or have lived together in the past.

Charges that can be levied are determined by factors that include the extent of injury, whether an order of protection is violated, whether a child observes the incident, whether the victim is pregnant, and whether the defendant has any prior convictions for domestic violence. Charges can range from misdemeanors to felonies with up to 20 years in prison. Gun rights are also impacted.

Violent Crimes

Most people would understandably assume that violent crimes involve acts of significant physical violence resulting in serious injury. In the Palmetto State, violent crimes is a class of crimes that may or may not involve actual violence. For example, drug trafficking can be a violent crime but not involve anything more that possession of a controlled substance over a threshold amount.

Under South Carolina law, “violent crimes” are those specific crimes listed in this statute, which includes offenses such as murder (Section 16-3-10); attempted murder (Section 16-3-29); voluntary manslaughter (Section 16-3-50); armed robbery (Section 16-11-330(A)); attempted armed robbery (Section 16-11-330(B)); drug trafficking as defined in Section 44-53-370(e); and many others.

If a person is convicted of a "violent crime," this can affect parole eligibility, housing and privileges in the Department of Corrections, as well as other consequences.

Facing Criminal Charges in Fort Mill?

If you or a family member are facing criminal charges in South Carolina, contact Attorney Bruce immediately. From drug crimes to violent crimes, he can defend you against your criminal charges. You deserve personalized and experienced representation.

Fort Mill DUI Defense

Driving Under the Influence Laws in South Carolina 

In South Carolina, it is unlawful to drive a motor vehicle in this state while under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or combination of both, to the extent that the person's faculties to drive a motor vehicle are materially and appreciably impaired (SC Code 56-5-2930). The crux of a DUI is impaired driving abilities.

Be aware that South Carolina is an “implied consent” state, which means drivers are considered to have given consent to the testing of breath, blood, or urine for the purpose of determining the presence of alcohol or drugs.

If I am arrested for DUI, do I have to take the breath test?

Yes and no. South Carolina's implied consent law provides that if someone arrested for DUI refuses to take the breath test, the result is a license suspension.

If you refuse to take the breath test or take the test and registered a blood alcohol level or breath alcohol content (BAC) of .15 or higher, your driver's license will be suspended for a period of time. You have the right to challenge this suspension and obtain a temporary alcohol license, but you must request a hearing in writing within thirty (30) days of the date your license was suspended (arrest date).

Additionally, if you refuse to take the breath test or take it and register a BAC of .15 or higher, and don’t successfully challenge the refusal or test result, you will be required to complete the Alcohol and Drug Safety Action Program (ADSAP) which is a series of education classes, even if the DUI charge is later dismissed.

For dedicated DUI defense, contact Bruce Law Firm by dialing (803) 336-7189 or filling out this online contact form.

What is DUAC?

DUAC is an abbreviation for driving with an unlawful alcohol concentration. This is a separate criminal offense in South Carolina. The DUAC law states that it is unlawful for a person to drive a motor vehicle within this state while his or her alcohol concentration is eight one-hundredths of one percent or more (.08 or higher). If convicted of DUAC, the penalties are the same as if someone was convicted of a DUI with the same BAC reading.

What is the Penalty for DUI in Fort Mill, South Carolina?

If convicted of DUI (or DUAC), the criminal penalties that apply are dependent upon whether it is a first, second, third, or subsequent offense, the person's alcohol concentration, and/or if there were any injuries/deaths/property damage.

For a typical first time DUI the penalties may include:

• A fine of $400 to $1,000 (plus court costs which can more than double the amount) or imprisonment for not less than forty-eight hours nor more than 90 days (depending upon the person’s BAC level). The court may provide for public service employment for the minimum jail time. 
• If a person is convicted of another DUI or DUAC within 10 years of a prior DUI or DUAC, the penalties enhanced and become more severe.

Under current law, a DUI or DUAC conviction can't be expunged from your criminal record but will remain for life.

Driver's License Impacts from a DUI

A DUI (or DUAC) conviction can result in a license suspension, alcohol education program requirement (ADSAP), potential requirement for use of an ignition interlock device on your vehicle and the driver must maintain higher liability - higher premium insurance for a period of time.

Ignition Interlock Device

What is the Ignition Interlock Device and will I have to have this device installed on my vehicle?

This device is installed in your vehicle and requires a breath sample to operate. In 2014, Emma’s Law was adopted. This law, among other changes, enhanced the Ignition Interlock Device (IID) program, requiring those convicted of DUI or DUAC first offense with a breath alcohol content (BAC) of .15 or greater had to have this device installed on their vehicle and complete the IID program. If convicted of a DUI or DUAC second or subsequent offense, the IID is required regardless of the BAC. The IID program is administered by the South Carolina Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Service (SCDPPPS).

For more information about the IID program, use this link to access the SCDPPPS IID brochure on the agency’s website.

Bruce Law Firm DUI Legal Counsel

If you have been charged with driving under the influence in the Fort Mill area, contact Bruce Law Firm immediately. It is imperative that you take a legal action as soon as possible, especially if you have refused a chemical test or taken the breath test and had a BAC of .15 or higher.

The consequences of a DUI or DUAC, particularly if you have more than one on your record, are serious. As an experienced DUI defense lawyer, and former prosecutor of DUI cases, Attorney Robert A. Bruce can examine and evaluate your case and develop the best strategy to achieve the best possible outcome, while guiding you through the complicated process of navigating a DUI charge.

Facing DUI Charges in Fort Mill?

The consequences of a DUI or DUAC, particularly if you have more than one on your record, are serious. As an experienced DUI defense lawyer, and former prosecutor of DUI cases, Attorney Bruce can examine and evaluate your case and develop a strong defensive strategy, while guiding you through the complicated process of a DUI charge.