Driving under the influence is a serious criminal offense on its own but can elevate to a felony charge when it results in an injury to another person. Representation from an experienced Spartanburg felony DUI lawyer can provide critical counsel and advocacy throughout criminal proceedings. Ellis Hinton delivers criminal defense services at every stage of a case for clients facing these charges.
Our knowledgeable DUI attorneys have experience as state and federal prosecutors, which gives us a sophisticated understanding of how the state may operate in a case against you. We use this information to give clients an honest perspective on their case’s strengths and weaknesses and develop a strategy that serves their goals. Call Ellis Hinton, LLC, today for more information.
South Carolina Criminal Code § 56-5-2945 makes it illegal for a person driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs to cause either great bodily injury or death to another because of their actions. These acts must either be forbidden by law or equate to the neglect of a driver’s duty when operating a motor vehicle.
Driving under the influence can impair a driver’s cognitive and motor skill functions, which may lead to a variety of acts that violate South Carolina’s traffic laws. For example, you may face a felony DUI charge for a car accident or collision caused by the following types of wrongful acts:
Options for our lawyers to defend against a felony DUI charge in Spartanburg will vary from case to case, depending on the circumstances. Evidentiary issues may exist relating to the state’s proof that you were intoxicated at the time of an accident.
Additionally, the events leading up to another person’s injury may also create doubt about whether a DUI rises to the level of a felony offense. For example, another party, including the injured individuals, may have been responsible for causing the wreck.
The statute defines great bodily harm as an injury that creates a substantial risk of death, a serious, permanent disfigurement, or a protracted loss or impairment of a body part’s function. A dedicated criminal defense attorney can present an argument based on whether a DUI resulted in great bodily harm or not.
South Carolina Criminal Code imposes specific mandatory punishments and sentencing for a conviction of felony DUI in Spartanburg, as a lawyer could further explain. However, the severity of the punishment will depend on if it involves great bodily harm or death.
For felony DUI cases involving great bodily harm, a fine between $5,100 and $10,100 is mandatory, in addition to a prison sentence of 30 days to 15 years. The punishment increases for cases resulting in death, with a fine ranging from $10,100 to $25,100 and a prison sentence of one to 25 years. Our legal professionals can review your case and explain the potential consequences of your charges.
Have confidence in your choice of representation with the experienced counsel of our Spartanburg felony DUI lawyers. Based in Greenville, we serve South Carolina and beyond.
Our hardworking legal team is here to advocate for clients in all aspects of their criminal proceedings. Schedule a free case review with our office today.
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