No one wants to deal with a DUI. In fact, if you are like most people, the last thing you want to do is go to court or think about what might happen if you get convicted.

But, when facing a DUI, dealing with your situation is extremely important. A conviction can be life-changing, and you should not put yourself at risk for unnecessary consequences. Here are seven reasons why you should always hire a lawyer to fight your DUI in South Carolina:

Reason #1: You Are Innocent Until Proven Guilty

First, and most importantly, you are innocent until proven guilty under South Carolina law. To secure a conviction, prosecutors must be able to prove your guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. This means that if there are any issues with the prosecution’s case, this could be enough to save you from a DUI conviction.

This is true regardless of the facts of your case. Even if you got caught driving drunk, prosecutors still need to be able to prove it. If the prosecutor’s office doesn’t have the evidence it needs to prove you were driving under the influence, it doesn’t matter how drunk you were behind the wheel.

Reason #2: The Prosecution’s Evidence Might Not Be Admissible in Court

The second reason why you should always hire a lawyer to fight your DUI in South Carolina is that the prosecution’s evidence might not be admissible in court. Several issues can render evidence inadmissible; and, if prosecutors can’t use their evidence against you, they won’t be able to meet their burden of proof.

An experienced DUI lawyer will be able to carefully examine the circumstances surrounding your arrest to determine if you have grounds to keep the prosecution’s evidence out of your case. If the police profiled you, if they improperly administered the breathalyzer or field sobriety tests, or if there were any other issues with your traffic stop or arrest, your lawyer may be able to use this to have your DUI charge dismissed.

Reason #3: You Must Act Quickly (and Carefully) to Protect Yourself

Regardless of the facts of your case and the evidence prosecutors have against you, you must act quickly (and carefully) to protect yourself. For example, if you miss a court date, the judge could issue a bench warrant for your arrest. An experienced DUI lawyer will be able to walk you through everything you need to know to protect yourself, and your lawyer will be able to speak on your behalf in court.

Along with missing court dates, there are several other mistakes you need to avoid as well. When you hire an experienced DUI lawyer to represent you, your lawyer will be able to help ensure that you don’t do anything that could lead to unnecessary consequences.

Reason #4: The Consequences of a DUI Conviction Can Be Severe

Speaking of consequences, the penalties for a DUI in South Carolina are more than enough reason to put an experienced lawyer on your side. First-time offenders can face thousands of dollars in fines, assessments, and surcharges—plus a driver’s license suspension and possible jail time. For repeat offenders, the consequences of a conviction can be far more severe.

Then, there are the collateral consequences. If you get convicted of DUI in South Carolina court, your conviction could impact your education, career, housing, and even your family life for years to come. The costs of these collateral consequences can far exceed the costs you face in court.

Reason #5: Fighting Your DUI Might Not Be Your Only Option

Another reason why you should always talk to a lawyer after getting a DUI is that fighting your DUI might not be your only option. For example, let’s say you got caught driving drunk, and let’s also say that prosecutors have the evidence they need to convict you. In this scenario, an experienced DUI lawyer may still be able to help you avoid unnecessary consequences by:

  • Negotiating a plea bargain that reduces your DUI to a “wet reckless;” or,
  • Helping you enroll in (and successfully complete) one of South Carolina’s pre-trial diversion programs.

While both of these options have consequences, their consequences are nowhere near as severe as the consequences of a DUI conviction. As a result, if pursuing one of these options makes sense in your case, it will be strongly in your best interests to work with an experienced DUI lawyer who can help you resolve your case without going to trial.

Reason #6: Hiring a Lawyer Can Save You Money in the Long Run

Even though many people have concerns about the cost of hiring a DUI lawyer, the reality is that hiring a lawyer can save you money in the long run. As noted above, even first-time offenders face thousands of dollars in fines, fees and surcharges—plus other penalties. If your lawyer can help you avoid these penalties, or even help you incur the reduced costs of a “wet reckless” or pre-trial diversion, your legal representation will more than pay for itself.

Reason #7: You Cannot Afford to Make Uninformed Decisions

Finally, with all that you have at stake after a DUI arrest in South Carolina, you owe it to yourself to ensure that you are making informed decisions. An experienced DUI lawyer can help you make smart choices with your long-term best interests in mind. At Deaton Law Firm, we provide free consultations for DUI cases in North Charleston, so you can get started at no out-of-pocket cost.

Request a Free and Confidential Consultation with North Charleston DUI Lawyer Rad S. Deaton

If you are facing the consequences of a DUI arrest in North Charleston, we encourage you to contact us promptly for more information. Once you get in touch, we will arrange for you to speak with DUI lawyer Rad S. Deaton in confidence as soon as possible. To start the process, call 843-225-5723 or tell us how we can reach you online today.