DUS
Driving with a suspended license is a criminal offense in South Carolina, and the court will prosecute you accordingly. There are many different reasons that a person might have their license suspended. The most common is as a result of convictions such as of driving under the influence, failing to pay traffic fines, failing to stop for emergency lights, hit and runs, racing on a public road, and failing to pay child support.
At The Woods Law Firm, we understand that sometimes a charge of Driving Under Suspension may be brought against you by law enforcement even if you never received notice from the DMV that your license was, in fact, suspended. Often a driver’s license will be suspended for clerical errors between the DMV, the driver’s insurance company, and State agencies for failure to comply with their regulations. Few people realize that you do not have to plead guilty if you are arrested for DUS. With an experienced legal defense lawyer, we can explore all of your options and choose the best strategy for you.
What Is DUS In South Carolina?
South Carolina’s S. C. Code Ann. § 56-1-460 states:
- the law makes it unlawful for any person to drive a motor vehicle on any public highway of this State when his license to drive is canceled, suspended, or revoked
Essentially, driving under suspension means that a person is operating a motor vehicle with an invalid license that is temporarily or permanently suspended.
What Are The Penalties For DUS In South Carolina?
The criminal penalties for operating a vehicle while under suspension are severe and can include:
- Loss and/or suspension of your driver’s license
- Mandatory attendance at ADSAP (Alcohol and Drug Safety Action Program)
- Large and imposing fines and fees
- Jail time
- Community Service
- Probation and Restitution
- Lifelong Criminal Record
- Requirement of special and expensive SR-22 insurance
- License Programs, including ignition interlock devices and restrictive licenses
A DUS conviction and the resulting criminal record can have severe and far-reaching consequences on your quality of life. With a license suspension, you may find it difficult or impossible to drive to work, and therefore become unable to do your job or earn a living. Simple tasks such as picking up your children from school, or taking your significant out for a special occasion become extremely difficult. In South Carolina, the criminal record DUS causes can stay on your record for life. Background checks can become increasingly difficult to pass and limit your ability to obtain a job. The consequences of a DUS conviction, even when limited to your driving record, can be substantial. A person who is caught three or more times with Driving Under Suspension (DUS) can be classified as a habitual offender and can even go to jail for up to 5 years.
If you have questions regarding DUI / DUS/ DWI charges and traffic violations, contact our law offices. We speak English, Spanish and Portuguese in the office and we have 4 law offices to serve you across the State of South Carolina.
What Happens When You Are Charged With A DUI in South Carolina?
If you have been arrested and charged with driving under suspension, it is crucial that you speak with an experienced DUS lawyer right away. Fighting the suspension of your driver’s license is possible. If you receive a non-mandatory suspension, you have the option to make a written request for review by the department within 10 days after notice of a suspension. You may also make a written request for review within 30 days after notice of the suspension. The Woods Law Firm can help you explore all options available to you and advise you on your legal rights.
In order for law enforcement to convict you of Driving Under Suspension, they must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that you;
- Drove a motor vehicle on a public highway in the State of South Carolina, during a time that your driver’s license was canceled, suspended, or revoked, and that you received notice from the Department of Public Safety that your driver’s license had been canceled, suspended, or revoked.
We pride ourselves on determining the cause of the original suspension and helping to resolve the initial problem. We have an established record of working tirelessly for our clients in an effort to satisfy the requirements of the DMV & state agencies and also determine reinstatement fees, so that your driving privileges can be restored as soon as possible. In the past we have even negotiated with the arresting agency for a reduction or complete dismissal of the Driving Under Suspension charge, to ensure that our clients got back on the road and back to their life as soon as possible.
Why Choose Us To Represent You?
For the past 15 years, we have worked hard to have hundreds of DUS charges dismissed or minimized, in all 46 counties throughout the State of South Carolina. We take the time during our initial consultation to ensure that our clients understand their legal rights and every option that is available to them.
Remember – Not all law firms and defense attorneys are created equally. Individuals arrested and charged with a DUS are entitled to all of the protections of the law, and reserve the right to be represented by an attorney at every stage of their case. You are entitled to a trial by judge or jury. To ensure the best possible outcome for you and your family, it is imperative that you choose a lawyer who understands the legal process and has a seasoned reputation of getting results for their clients.
When you decide to retain The Woods Law Firm, you are investing in your future. Always remember that you are innocent until proven guilty. In the United States, that is your constitutional right. With in-depth legal knowledge and aggressive courtroom defense, we can help to protect what matters most to you.
Real Legal Defense for DUS and Traffic Tickets
In addition to DUS cases, we have handled thousands of cases for other traffic tickets, including but not limited to:
- Driving Under the Influence (DUI)
- Driving Under Alcohol Concentration (DUAC)
- Driving Without A License
- Speeding
- Reckless driving
- Possession of Marijuana
- Public Intoxication (Public Drunk)
- No Proof of Insurance
- No Proof of Driver’s License
- Failing to give a proper signal
- Failure to Stop
- Racing
- Failure to Yield Right of Way
Call or Come By Our Offices
It is crucial that you have a skilled and aggressive lawyer fighting for your legal rights. The lawyer you choose can make all of the difference in whether or not your DUS charge or traffic ticket becomes a conviction or just an unfortunate incident from the past. At The Woods Law Firm we have been defending people who have been charged with DUS and traffic tickets for nearly 15 years. We have the knowledge and experience to handle your case with speed and efficiency, so that you can get back to your life. If you would like to speak with an attorney by phone, call us today toll-free for immediate help.