There are provisions for South Carolina drunk driving penalties under three different categories based on the level of blood alcohol concentration at the time of dui arrest. The punishments are the most severe if the BAC level is more than 0.16. The lowest penalties are awarded when the BAC level is less than 0.10 but more than 0.08. There is also a third category in the middle for those with BAC level between 0.10 and 0.16. Following is a brief overview on how the penalties differ under different categories every time someone gets convicted.
First Dui Conviction In South Carolina
The following South Carolina drunk driving penalties are applicable when someone gets convicted for the first time.
When BAC level is more than 0.16
- Public service employment for a period of thirty days
- Up to ninety days in jail imprisonment; at least thirty days of jail term is mandatory
- $1000 of monetary fine
- License gets suspended for a period of six months
When BAC level is between 0.10 and 0.16
- Public service employment for three days (seventy two hours)
- Up to thirty days in jail; minimum three days of jail term is mandatory
- $500 of monetary fine
- License gets suspended for 180 days
When BAC Level Is Under 0.10
- Public service employment for two days (forty-eight hours)
- Up to thirty days in jail imprisonment; at least forty-eight hours of jail term is mandatory
- $400 of monetary fine
- License gets suspended for a period of one hundred and eighty days
Second Dui Conviction In South Carolina
You must be ready for the following South Carolina drunk driving penalties if it is the second time you have been convicted.
When BAC level is more than 0.16
- Up to three years in jail imprisonment; at least ninety days of jail term is mandatory
- Up to $6500 of monetary fine; at least $3500 is mandatory
- License gets suspended for twelve months
When BAC level is between 0.10 and 0.16
- Up to two years in jail imprisonment; minimum thirty days of jail term are mandatory
- Up to $5500 of monetary fine; minimum $2500 of fine is mandatory
- Driving license is forfeited for twelve months
When BAC level Is Under 0.10
- Up to twelve months in jail; minimum five days of jail term is mandatory
- Up to $5100 of monetary fine; minimum $2100 is mandatory
- Suspension of driving license for 12 months
Third Dui Conviction In South Carolina
The third conviction results in the following South Carolina drunk driving penalties.
When BAC level is more than 0.16
- From six months to five years in jail
- Monetary fine ranges from $7500 to $10000
- License is forfeited for two years
When BAC level is between 0.10 and 0.16
- From ninety days to four years in jail
- Monetary fine can be anywhere between $5000 and $7500
- Twenty-four months of license suspension
When BAC level Is Under 0.10
- Minimum Jail term is for sixty days; the maximum jail imprisonment period can be as long as three years
- You will have to pay at least $3800 as monetary fine; the maximum fine that can be charged is $6300
Fourth Dui Conviction In South Carolina
A fourth time conviction attracts the following South Carolina drunk driving penalties.
When BAC level is more than 0.16
- Three to seven years in jail
- License will be forfeited forever
When BAC level is between 0.10 and 0.16
- Two to six years in jail
- Permanent license revocation
When BAC level Is Under 0.10
- One to five years in jail
- Permanent suspension of driving license
Implied consent law is also applicable in this state, as per which refusal to take the chemical sobriety test is considered as a very serious offence and the South Carolina drunk driving penalties for the same can be much harsher than the actual convictions. Worse, even if you do not take the test, you can still be convicted if the peace officer succeeds in convincing the court that they caught you driving while under the influence of alcohol.