Felony DUI
Experienced South Carolina DUI attorney who can help
Driving under the influence in South Carolina can result in criminal charges. Those charges become even more serious if someone is hurt or killed in a drunk driving accident. If you’ve been charged with felony DUI, call the law firm of Matt Bodman, P.A. as soon as possible to talk with an experienced DUI attorney.
A charge of felony DUI can be brought against a driver if another person suffered great bodily injury or death in the accident. Under South Carolina law, “great bodily injury” is defined as an injury “which creates a substantial risk of death or which causes serious, permanent disfigurement, or protracted loss or impairment of the function of any bodily member or organ.”
The penalties for a felony DUI include:
- $5,100 to $10,100 fine, in cases involving bodily injury
- 30 days to 15 years in jail, in cases involving bodily injury
- $10,100 to $25,100 fine, in cases involving fatal injury
- 1 year to 25 years in jail, in cases involving fatal injury
There are mandatory minimums for jail time if you are convicted of felony DUI, and those sentences are served in state prison. In addition, your license will be suspended for the length of your prison term, plus 3 years if a person suffered great bodily injury, or 5 years if a person was killed in the crash. When you do get your license back, you will need to have an ignition interlock device (IID) installed in your vehicle.
The consequences don’t end there. Having a felony DUI on your record can make it difficult for you to get a job or take out a bank loan. When you do get your license back, you can expect your car insurance premiums to double or triple. Some insurance carriers may refuse to provide coverage at all. In addition, a felony DUI can take a toll on personal and professional relationships.
Experience matters
Attorney Matt Bodman was an assistant solicitor in Richland County for five years and prosecuted many DUI cases during that time. He knows how prosecutors build their cases and where to look for weaknesses. A defense attorney since 2002, he has seen firsthand how a DUI conviction can affect people and their families, and fights for their rights.
He begins by investigating every detail of your arrest. Police officers can make mistakes. That’s why attorney Bodman reviews every action taken by the officer to see if proper procedures were followed and your rights upheld. He also carefully reviews the collection of evidence from any blood, breath or urine tests.
Prosecutors can be very aggressive when pursuing a DUI case. That’s why you need an experienced attorney who will aggressively fight for you. Attorney Bodman is a skilled negotiator and litigator and will work to get your charges dismissed or reduced. Even a reduction in charges can make a big difference in your life and for your future.
If you’ve been arrested for felony DUI, call DUI attorney Matt Bodman as soon as possible. Schedule a free consultation at our office in downtown Columbia, S.C. by calling (866) 487-9077.
