Sep 18, 2012 | DUI & DWI, Uncategorized
As South Carolina experiences an increase in DUI and BUI enforcement, many people in lowcountry areas such as Charleston, North Charleston, James Island, Folly Beach, West Ashley, Sullivans Island, Isle of Palms, Mount Pleasant, and Awendaw are unaware of the differences associated with driving under the influence and boating under the influence. While both charges are serious offenses, there are distinct differences in the procedures effecting the enforcement.
On land, law enforcement generally relies upon the Standardized Field Sobriety Test (SFST) to establish probable cause for a DUI arrest. The SFST was developed by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and includes three tests: 1) Horizontal gaze nystagmus 2) walk-and-turn and 3) One-leg stand. There is an ongoing debate about the effectiveness and scientific nature of these tests, but for the time being they relied upon by law enforcement to continue the prosecution of alleged DUI offenders. Also, South Carolina law mandates that the officer videotape the suspect with his/her in-dash camera while conducting these tests.
Boating Under the Influence (BUI) differs in multiple ways from a DUI. For the most part, the Department of Natural Resources is tasked with the responsibility to enforce the BUI laws. Similarly to the NHTSA, the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators has developed its own method for testing boater’s sobriety. As you can imagine, it would not make much sense to administer the walk-and-turn test or the one-leg stand while on an unstable boat so the NASBLA test differs from the Standardized Field Sobriety Test. DNR uses the “Afloat Test Battery” to determine the sobriety of a boater. This test includes reciting the ABC’s, counting backwards from 25 to 1, a finger dexterity test, a palm pat test, and a touch finger to nose test. It is also an important distinction to realize that BUI laws do not require the arresting officer to videotape the suspect.
As the waterways, rivers, and lakes heat up it is important to understand the boating laws and the seriousness of both DUI/BUI offenses. In areas in and around the South Carolina lowcountry such as Sullivans Island, Isle of Palms, Folly Beach, James Island, Charleston, West Ashley, North Charleston, Moncks Corner, Mount Pleasant, and Awendaw, boaters will notice an increased DNR presence looking for drunk boaters. The DUI/BUI attorneys at Reeves Aiken & Hightower LLP stand ready to help you if you have been arrested and charged for DUI, BUI or DUAC. Before hiring an attorney, you should carefully check out their credentials and actual experience. For more information about our lawyers, please visit our website at www.rjrlaw.com. Or to schedule a confidential consultation about your particular case, please call us directly at 877-374-5999.
Sep 15, 2012 | DUI & DWI, Uncategorized
A Lexington County Sheriff, aiming to make S.C. roads safer, is asking bar owners to take on some responsibility for their intoxicated customers.
The sheriff is encouraging bar owners in three trouble spots in the county to limit the alcohol of drunken customers and arrange for safe transportation to take them home.Lexington County is currently leading the state in traffic fatalities, with a shocking 40 deaths so far this year.
Along with this initiative, deputies plan to increase patrols at trouble spots at S.C. 6 in the Red Bank area and parts of U.S. 1 and U.S. 378 along the South shore of Lake Murray.
South Carolina DUI Attorneys
If you or someone you love has been charged with a SC DUI, DUAC, or BUI, you should call the experienced DUI attorneys of Reeves, Aiken, and Hightower, LLP . In South Carolina, if a defendant blood alcohol content (BAC) is a .08 or above, then the State can legally charge you with “driving under the influence.” Call us today and speak directly with one of our lawyers at 704-499-9000 or 877-374-5999 toll free. We have offices in Charlotte and throughout South Carolina. We would be honored to have an opportunity to help you and your family get through this most difficult time in your lives. Consult our criminal defense team and then hire the best DUI attorneys you have the most confidence in!
Sep 13, 2012 | Car Accidents, DUI & DWI, Personal Injury, Uncategorized
A 19-year-old SC teen reacted quickly Saturday morning, when he approached a burning vehicle and proceeded to pull a 54-year-old woman out of fiery car.
The teen was driving home from a friend’s house along U.S. 301, near Raccoon Road, when he spotted the burning 1999 Chevrolet that had wrecked just minutes before. Apparently, the woman driver ran off the right side of the road only moments before it caught aflame. Once stopped, the teen could hear a woman’s voice coming from inside the wrecked vehicle. The teen and another man, wielding crowbars, broke out the driver’s side window. The woman was able to unfasten her seatbelt so that she could be pulled out of her car to safety.
As they were all backing away from the burning car, an explosion occurred, fully engulfing the car with flames. Firefighters arrived shortly thereafter to put out the fire. Claredon Fire Chief commented that there was not much firefighters could have done for the woman if it had not been for the civilian rescue.
The woman was subsequently transported to Claredon Memorial Hospital for injuries. It is reported that she will be charged with DUI .
South Carolina Personal Injury and Accident Attorneys
Please call the experienced Personal Injury and Accident Attorneys at Reeves, Aiken & Hightower LLP., to help you attain the justice you deserve. Our seasoned litigators have over 75 years combined trial experience. Our team of personal injury attorneys include former insurance defense lawyers, a former Registered Nurse (RN), and former criminal prosecutor. Call us today and speak directly with one of our lawyers at 704-499-9000 or 877-374-5999 toll-free. We would be honored to have an opportunity to help you and your family get through this most difficult time in your lives.
Sep 11, 2012 | Car Accidents, DUI & DWI, Personal Injury, Trucking/Tractor-Trailer Accidents, Uncategorized
A man has been hospitalized after crashing his truck at the Scaleybark light rail station in South Charlotte, according to the CMPD. The man has suffered injuries, however they are not life-threatening.
The accident report states that the accident occurred around 2:00 a.m. early Saturday morning, when the man somehow lost control of his vehicle and crashed it somewhere in the vicinity of the light rail. The impact caused the car to spin, ending up on the tracks of the light rail. Fortunately for other drivers, his car was the only vehicle involved in the accident.
In an unfortunate turn of events, after the collision with the light rail gate, the driver had to be cut from the car and rushed to the hospital. Police were subsequently forced to shut down a section of the road in both directions for a few hours while CATS made repairs.
Accordingly the police currently believe that both speed and alcohol played a role in the crash. The driver is expected to survive.
Charlotte Tractor-Trailer and Commercial Vehicle Attorneys
If the unthinkable happens in your life, call the experienced tractor-trailer and commercial vehicle attorneys of Reeves, Aiken & Hightower LLP. Our seasoned litigators have over 75 years combined trial experience. Our team of personal injury attorneys include former insurance defense lawyers, a former Registered Nurse (RN), and former criminal prosecutor. We can investigate all aspects of a serious accident and hold all parties accountable for your loss. Call us today and speak directly with one of our lawyers at 704-499-9000 or 877-374-5999 toll free. We have offices in Charlotte and throughout South Carolina. We would be honored to have an opportunity to help you and your family get through this most difficult time in your lives.
