ATV, UTV, and Golf Cart DUIs: What You Need to Know in South Carolina

In South Carolina, it is possible to face a drunk driving charge if you got pulled over while driving an ATV, UTV, or golf cart. Each of these qualifies as a vehicle under the state’s DUI law, and DUIs involving these vehicles carry the same penalties as DUIs involving cars, trucks, and SUVs.

This means that if you got a DUI while driving an ATV, UTV, or golf cart, you need to take your case very seriously.

As we have discussed previously, DUIs carry serious penalties under South Carolina law. Not only that, but having a DUI conviction on your permanent record can impact your finances, your career, and other aspects of your life in other ways as well. As a result, regardless of what you were driving when you got arrested, it will be important to work with an experienced DUI defense lawyer who can help protect you by all means available.

DUIs Involving ATVs, UTVs, and Golf Carts in South Carolina

In South Carolina, you can get a DUI for driving any type of motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. While this includes driving with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08% or above (or a BAC of 0.02% or above if you are under 21), it also includes driving under the influence, “to the extent that the person’s faculties to drive a motor vehicle are materially and appreciably impaired,” regardless of your BAC.

In other words, you can face prosecution for a DUI in South Carolina regardless of what you were driving and regardless of your BAC. If you were arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, generally speaking, this is all it takes for prosecutors to seek a conviction in court.

What To Do After a DUI Arrest Involving an ATV, SUV, or Golf Cart

With this in mind, what can—and should—you do if you got a DUI on an ATV, UTV, or golf cart?

Regardless of the specific circumstances involved, if you are facing a DUI in South Carolina, you need to ensure that you are making informed and strategic decisions about your defense. Here are some key considerations:

1. You Need to Prioritize Your Defense

First and foremost, you need to prioritize your defense. As we said above, DUIs carry steep penalties and other serious consequences. You do not want to face any of these consequences unnecessarily.

Prioritizing your defense means making sure you know your court date and making sure you are prepared to be there on time. It also means working closely with an experienced DUI defense lawyer who can represent you in court and advise you on all aspects of your case. While there is no guarantee that you will be able to avoid a conviction, you have options regardless of the circumstances at hand—the key is to ensure that you are making informed decisions from day one.

2. You Need to Make Sure You Know What is At Stake in Your Case

Just how steep are the penalties for a DUI involving an ATV, UTV, or golf cart in South Carolina? For a first-time offense, you can face penalties including:

• Forty-eight hours to thirty days in jail
• Six-month driver’s license suspension
• Thousands of dollars in fines, assessments, surcharges, and other costs

These penalties apply regardless of your BAC and regardless of whether you put anyone else in danger. If this is not your first DUI, the penalties you are facing are even greater.

Outside of court, a DUI conviction can have other serious consequences as well. Depending on your individual circumstances, these could include consequences related to your career or education, your access to financing and housing, your immigration status, and your parental rights. DUI convictions can lead to additional financial costs as well.

3. You Need to Be Careful to Avoid Costly Mistakes

In light of the consequences you are facing, you need to be very careful to avoid costly mistakes. Most importantly, you must not assume that you will be able to avoid a conviction in court. Prosecutors and judges treat DUI cases involving ATV, UTVs, and golf carts the same way they treat all other DUI cases—and, if you do not defend yourself effectively, you can expect to face the consequences we just discussed.

4. You Need to Choose Between the Options You Have Available

A key step in the process of making informed decisions about your defense involves choosing between the options you have available. Generally, the options that are available in South Carolina DUI cases are as follows:

Pretrial Intervention

If this is your first DUI, you may be eligible for pretrial intervention (PTI). If you complete PTI successfully, your DUI charge will be dismissed without a trial.

Plea Bargain

If you are not eligible for PTI and you are likely to face a conviction in court, then your best option may be to seek a plea bargain that minimizes the consequences of your arrest.

Fighting Your DUI in Court

If you have defenses to your DUI charge, then your best option may be to fight for a pre-trial dismissal or a “Not guilty” verdict at trial.

5. You Need to Rely on Experienced Legal Representation

Given what is at stake and the importance of making informed decisions about your defense, you need to rely on experienced legal representation. To maximize your chances of avoiding unnecessary consequences, we strongly recommend consulting with an experienced DUI defense lawyer as soon after your arrest as possible.

Discuss Your Case with North Charleston DUI Defense Lawyer Rad S. Deaton in Confidence

Were you arrested for driving under the influence (DUI) while driving an ATV, UTV, or golf cart in South Carolina? If so, North Charleston DUI defense lawyer Rad S. Deaton can help protect you by all means available. To schedule a confidential initial consultation as soon as possible, call 843-225-5723 or tell us how we can reach you online now.