Being involved in a DWI in South Carolina can lead to dangerous accidents. When arrested, you need to take the charges serious as a DWI in your driving record can have long lasting consequences. As the South Carolina DWI laws are quite complicated, getting out of one is quite difficult. A South Carolina DWI attorney can help reduce your penalties as he is competent in the field of DWI laws of South Carolina.

Hiring an experienced South Carolina DWI Defense Attorney

When charged with a South Carolina DWI offense, you need to find out about the options you have to get out of the mess. One of the best options that you have is to do some research and hire a capable DWI Defense Attorney. The next thing you need to do is to collect all the necessary information required for the case like:

• Your complete criminal history, if any, including prior DWI convictions
• Probation you have received from earlier DWI charges along with the necessary documents which indicate that you have been abiding by the rules and conditions of the probation
• Your driving history which is available on the driver record abstract from the South Carolina DMV
• Your employment and family history

A DWI in South Carolina results in two legal actions. The first is the criminal court case with penalties like jail time, fines, probation and license suspension. The second is through the Department of Motor Vehicles of South Carolina, an administrative procedure where your driving license will automatically be suspended. To avoid this you need have a capable DWI attorney by your side to handle your case effectively and to request a hearing so your license is restored.

How a South Carolina DWI Defense Attorney can help?

Finding a reliable and experienced South Carolina DWI defense attorney is quite challenging. You need to collect the following credibility information:

• Adequate experience and a record of fighting and winning DWI cases successfully
• The lawyer is able to spend enough time on your case by listening to you and answering your questions
• Ensure they are aware of the various laws and penalties involved in different forms of DWI in the area

With the help of an experienced DWI defense attorney, you can either get your case dismissed or avoid a guilty verdict. You can put forth your facts and might get reduction in penalties. There are many South Carolina DWI defense attorneys who offer free legal consultation so you get an idea of how to take the case forward.

Getting your driving privilege back after a DWI

Though the first offense carries lighter consequences like a possible jail sentence plus a six-month license suspension, it can still affect your ability to drive. In order to get a restricted license to drive to work, you must enrol in an Alcohol and Drug Safety Action Program with the assistance of an attorney. To get your license reinstated after your suspension period, you need to also purchase special SR-22 insurance for three years at a cost of $3,000 to $4,000 per year. When convicted for DWI, it can affect your employment, scholarships, athletic eligibility and other facets of your life. The consequences are even more severe for subsequent offenses.

When arrested for DWI conviction, your license will be suspended. You can get your driving privilege back if you request an administrative hearing within 30 days of your arrest. If you win the case, your license is restored. Whereas if you lose it, you can still get a restricted license.

In the wake of realizing the serious consequences of drunken driving offences, several measures are being taken both the government and private agencies to curb the incidence of drinking and driving accidents. One such measure is the introduction of Ignition Locks in vehicles that will not allow the vehicle to start where the driver tests alcohol in his breathe.

Ignition Locks Mandate for First Time DWI Offenders

Have you ever been convicted under a DWI charge? There are 8 states in the nation that have mandated the fixing of ignition locks in the vehicles of those who have been convicted under DWI charge even once. Usage of ignition locking devices is seen more as a preventive measure than a penalty imposition.


By mandating the fixing of Ignition locks in the vehicles, it amounts to the cars preventing the driver from driving it when he/she is under the influence of alcohol. States namely Nebraska, Illinois, Alaska, Washington and Colorado have joined the bandwagon of mandating Ignition locking devices in the vehicles of those who have been convicted under the DWI legalities even once. Arizona, Louisiana and New Mexico are the first three states to introduce this mandate, out of which New Mexico is the first state to introduce this rule in early 2005. With the current count of states mandating ignition locks increasing to 8, even first time offenders are required to fix an ignition locking device in their vehicle in these 8 states.


A few organizations especially the liquor industry has expressed its opposition to the introduction of mandatory ignition locks in the vehicles. According to the American Beverage Institute (ABI), inspite of their support to the usage of ignition devices for repeat offenders, first time offender rule was not in consensus with them. According to Sarah Longwell of ABI the freedom of having a sip of wine or champagne at a party or wedding is being greatly restricted because of this rule.

Reduced DWI Fatal Accidents

Considering the fact that ignition interlock devices are rarely prescribed by the law, many organizations especially MADD have been demanding for introducing ignition locks even for the first time offenders and have so far been successful in 8 states across the nation.


The state of South Carolina has introduced mandate of ignition lock devices for repeat DWI offenders. It is the only state in the nation that has introduced the mandate for repeat offenders.


Ignition Lock Devices have been successful in reducing the chances of fatal DWI accidents thereby curbing the bane of drunken driving right at its inception. There is a 20% drop in the number of DWI deaths in the country with the help of ignition lock devices.


Sometimes we are left with limited options to curb the growing menace of DWI accidents and ignition lock devices is one such effective instrument to stop drunken driving accidents right in the beginning. If you disagree with this view point write to us with reasoning.

Studies have always shown that alcohol consumption in a limited and controlled manner improves the functioning of the mind and the brain. This is because when alcohol is consumed, the flow of blood to the brain increases making it more alert and alive.

Moderate Alcohol on Older Women

Studies have been conducted in Toronto to find out the effect of moderate alcohol consumption on older women , those who are aged between 70 to 79 years of age. It has been seen that these women had better mental functioning. In fact, the researchers say their cognitive functioning was the same as that would have been, had they been one or two years younger.

Moderate Alcohol Improves Memory

When the older women consumed moderate alcohol, their memory improved. This has been found out by the University of Texas. Dr. Graham, the researcher who headed the entire team, says, “Moderate drinkers reported less depression, had higher self-reported health, preformed better on instrumental everyday tasks, had stronger memory self-efficacy and improved memory performance.”


Various tests like retelling a story, hidden objects, connecting random letters and members, etc. were given to both the groups-those who drank and those who didn’t. The former scored better than the latter in nearly all the cases. Dr. McDougall said that he noticed the confidence level of those who drank to be also much higher than those who didn’t drink.


The key here is to remember the word ‘moderate’. Though this would vary from person to person, the study emphasizes the limit as up to two drinks of wine, beer or any other spirits in a day.