DWI Deferment and DUI Court Referral Programs in South Carolina

If you have been pulled over and arrested for a drinking and driving offense in South Carolina there are a few things that you can do to help stay out of jail and hopefully, avoid a life-changing DUI conviction. Depending on the type of charges you have, you may be required to complete a DWI or DUI Court Referral Program in South Carolina. The diversion program in South Carolina is called Pretrial Intervention. PTI is a diversion program established by the South Carolina state statute that allows a person charged with driving under the influence, the opportunity to pay something back to the community, reevaluate their lives, and avoid a criminal record or prosecution. State Law mandates that any South Carolina driver’s license holder who has been convicted of driving under the influence (DUI) enroll and complete the Alcohol and Drug Safety Action Program (ADSAP) before they can be eligible to reapply for their driver’s license by the South Carolina Department of Public Safety. This program is highly structured, consisting of at least 12 months of treatment. Alcohol and Drug Safety Action Program requires the defendant to plead guilty and the sentence is held in abeyance until the completion of the DUI Treatment Court Program. Your charges may be dismissed after you successfully complete the program.

A DUI or DWI conviction in South Carolina is not something to be taken lightly. It can have serious life-altering consequences far-reaching into many areas of your life. We have helped thousands of people over the years avoid significant jail time, fines, and license revocation periods. Getting help for underlying alcohol addiction will help the courts determine if you are taking full responsibility for driving under the influence and breaking the law. Call us today and let us help you with your drinking and driving arrest and help you find an alcohol recovery program. Addiction No More ® can not give legal advice however if you are looking for rehabilitation for addiction we can help you find treatment in your area or anywhere in the country. Give us a call today and we can help. 

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What to do if you have been arrested for drinking and driving

Drinking and driving in South Carolina can be a serious offense and the consequences can have life-changing outcomes. If you have been pulled over, make sure that you know your rights and remain courteous at all times. Being compliant and courteous can affect the outcome of the court’s layout as punishment.

Driving under the influence: Driving under the influence (DUI) Driving while intoxicated (DWI) and operating a motor vehicle under the influence (OUI). These are the common terms used to describe operating a motorized vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs. In South Carolina, driving while intoxicated is considered a misdemeanor and is subject to the state’s laws regarding driving while drunk.

DWI/DUI diversion rehabs in South Carolina are very familiar with the court-mandated treatment requirements that the courts have imposed for their court-ordered alcohol rehab centers. Some court-ordered DUI deferment programs will include alcohol evaluations and at the very least, alcohol and drug classes for first-time offenders. This can cost anywhere from $1000-2500 dollars with the fines, not including lawyer fees and bail.

If this is your second offense, getting involved in a treatment program for alcohol abuse will not only help your ongoing DWI-DUI case but benefit you as well. You should always enter into an alcohol treatment program knowing that there is a need for a change before something worse happens. Driving and Drinking can cost you your life or even worse someone else life. Treatment programs in South Carolina for criminal justice clients will work with the court system to handle all the requirements for treatment to be considered time served. Once all the financial consequences are paid by the defendant and community service is completed if any, South Carolina district courts may terminate the probation period.

Driving under the influence can damage many people’s lives other than yourself. Getting treatment for your alcohol dependency can help you understand that the risks of drinking and driving heavily outweigh the rewards. Sometimes, all it takes is to talk to someone who has had the burden of having someone die due to their alcohol consumption and driving under the influence. Our counselors are ready to take your call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

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DUI First-Offender and Diversion Programs

Getting the first DUI in South Carolina could result in a six-month license suspension. You also can be sentenced to between 48 hours and 30 days of jail time and may be required to pay a fine of up to $400. Beginning in May 2024, the law will mandate anyone who is convicted of driving under the influence to get an ignition interlock device installed in their car which prevents them from driving if their breath registers a blood-alcohol content of 0.02 percent or higher.

The laws are different in each state for DWI offenses that allow for deferment programs instead of jail time. Some states, depending on the circumstances, will mandate treatment and community service. Some of these mandates can be handled while in treatment for alcohol abuse. South Carolina has a deferment program for first-time DWI offenders as long as there are no injuries, accidents, or drugs involved. If you have been arrested for your second DWI/DUI in South Carolina, it is highly recommended that you give us a call to find out your options for a deferment program instead of jail time. This will help with the possible consequences that the courts may impose on you. Drinking and driving can have serious outcomes including vehicular homicide, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, and other very serious charges. When a minor is involved, there are more serious outcomes that the courts in South Carolina can impose on the offender. If there has been an accident or death due to drinking and driving there will be significant jail time imposed as well as the knowledge that your indulgence cost someone their life.

Drinking and Driving penalties for the state of South Carolina

First Offense: 1 DUI conviction in South Carolina and the courts will have the option to order one or all of the following consequences. $400 fine or imprisonment for a period of up to 30 days in the county jail, driving privileges are revoked or suspended for 6 months.

Second Offense: 2nd drinking and driving conviction within the 10 years following an earlier conviction and the courts have the option to impose a prison sentence for up to one year, fines ranging from $2,100 – $5,100. Some cases may be allowed to do public service for no less than 30 days to be determined by the presiding judge upon acceptance into the diversionary program. The license revocation period is for 1 year.

Third Offense: 3 convictions for drinking and driving in South Carolina within 10 years of a previous conviction and the courts will order 60 days in jail with sentencing up to 3 years in prison, 2-4 years suspended driving privileges. The courts in South Carolina will order you to pay fines up to $6,3000 with a minimum of $3,800 before you are eligible for driving privileges to be reinstated.

South Carolina has specific drinking and driving laws and penalties for people who have been convicted of a DUI/DWI. There are minimum and maximum fines and penalties that are at the discretion of the judge and prosecuting attorney depending on many different factors and circumstances surrounding the case.

Find Deferred Prosecution Rehabs Near Me

Please contact us by phone for immediate assistance. This is a necessary step in beginning the recovery process for yourself or for a loved one. Our addiction treatment specialists and staff have over 25 years of experience in helping people find effective and affordable treatment for all addictions. What you tell us is completely confidential. We are HIPAA compliant. We are here to answer your questions and to get you (or a loved one) into treatment today. For immediate intake, call us now.

1-800-513-5423

We can help you locate treatment for addiction in your area or anywhere in the country. To locate AA meetings, group meetings, 12-step programs, inpatient treatment, or outpatient services in your town give us a call. There are many options for drug rehab services in many cities in South Carolina.

Aiken, SC Alcohol Rehabs
Charleston, South Carolina Alcohol Addiction Treatment
Columbia South Carolina Drug & Alcohol Rehabilitation
Goose Creek, SC Substance Abuse and Alcoholism Treatment
Hilton Head Island, SC 30/90-Day Treatment Centers
Lexington, South Carolina Inpatient Alcohol Rehab Programs
Mount Pleasant, South Carolina Treatment Centers for Addiction
Rock Hill, SC Detox Centers, and Alcohol Rehab Facilities
Sumter, SC Treatment Programs for Addiction 


Treatment for alcoholism in place of jail time in South Carolina is a very common outcome for those seeking help to end their addictions. If you have an open DWI case in South Carolina, call us and we can help you locate a deferment program in your county that works with DUI and DWI offenders. We can help you find the best rehab center for alcohol misuse today. Addiction No More ® is an Addiction Treatment Center locator service. For immediate service, please call one of our counselors 24/7.


Sources
Diversion Programs
ADSAP
ADSAP Facts
SC DUI SERVICES
Solicitors Office AEP
DUI LAWS
SC Laws Relative to Impaired Driving

Erik Epp – Content Author