i was arrested for dui. in south carolina my bac was .21 i am going to court and pleading guilty. i know i was in the wrong. i have to pay a fine of 992 dollars in court tomorow i spent the night in jail when i was arrested and i was let out on a personal recognace bond. do you think i will get locked up tomorow when i go to court and am convicted of the dui after pleading guilty. if it helps this occured in greenwood county in south carolina. it is my first and last offense and the first time i have ever been in any trouble before. i am 23 years old.
2007-02-05 12:42:31 · 13 answers · asked by goodone 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Law Enforcement & Police
I can commend your honesty and ability to take responsibility for your actions. With that said, I would caution you on just going in and saying yep...I did it. Too often, too many people cannot take responsibilty for their actions and they fight tooth and nail and in the end they get better deals. (plea bargain) etc. Yet, the people like you that have enough self pride and integrity to be able to say, I screwed up and I accept responsibilty are the ones that get hammered harder than the ones that have no pride and fight everything. I don't know how the laws are exactly down there since I reside in Michigan but I would seriously consult someone first. Here in MI. I would reccomend ths: Go to court, this is probably your arraignment hearing. Plead NOT GUILTY, you will be set up for a pre-trial examination. At this hearing you would meet with the prosecutor, review the facts and determine if a resolution can be reached ( plea bargain ) ( lesser offense ) etc. or determine whether it is going to trial. never cut yourself short. I can tell you from experience that most prosecutors don't want to waste court time on a DUI charge. Especially if you have never had a prior offense. I would bank on it that you could get it pead down to a lesser offense and probably retain your operating privelage. If you plead straight up, you are more than likely going to lose your license for a year.
Good Luck and Godspeed and no more drinking and driving!
2007-02-05 13:02:40 · answer #1 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When you appear, Plead "Nolo-Contendre" and ask the Judge to credit your one night in jail against the fines imposed. This should lower the amount of the fines and court cost. The Judge will find you guilty and accept your plea. He may then asess fines and court cost and ask you if you can pay them that day. Unless you can, ask for a continuance and make an offer towards the fines and court costs. DON"T go in without somekind of $$$ on you. The Judge is of the opinion that if you came in to plead guilty you also knew there would be fines and court costs. Offering something will get you a grace period to pay everything at once, as most municipalities do not accept partial payments as this generates unwanted book keeping for the county/city comptroller.
Remember to ask for credit for the time you spent in the pokey.
2007-02-05 13:58:03 · answer #2 · answered by Chuck-the-Duck 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You will more than likely end up losing your driver's license for some time and have to get the SR22 automobile insurance, which is VERY high. If you work, you may ask that you keep a temporary driver's license to travel back and forth to work. As for jail time, I don't think you will have anymore time in jail other than the night you spent in there after being arrested, but don't quote me on this.
2007-02-06 08:58:48 · answer #3 · answered by Çåŗőľîņẫ§ħŷġĭ®ł 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
with a BAC that high, you might. honestly, you probably should. thats almost 3 times the legal limit. i live in SC and i dont like people driving around with that high of a BAC. it doesnt matter if you have been in trouble before. SC has a very high accident rate, which makes them very strict on DUI. even if you do, the most you will serve is 18-30 days.
2007-02-05 13:07:52 · answer #4 · answered by 2010 CWS Champs! 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is hard to say, no one can honestly tell you this, as no one knows how the judge is going to rule. I would think maybe since you already know the amount of the fine, two things could happen, fine and jail time or just fine and maybe probation. Then again, maybe just the fine. Only the judge knows for sure right now.
2007-02-05 12:48:27 · answer #5 · answered by m c 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
depends on the judge, first offense most likely will get you probation, community service and alcohol classes... dont even try to get a laywer, really u blew .21 ur guily and you know it... the dui laws are so tight that u cant really beat it... so say ur guilty, pay your fine and i'm sry... it sucks happened to me too, they will treat u like a criminal and it sucks...
2007-02-05 22:04:43 · answer #6 · answered by sick1withasmile 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
first offense you have to spend 3 days in. the day you was arrested counts as one and you will have to do 2 more. Mandatory!
2007-02-05 14:29:50 · answer #7 · answered by glamour04111 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i don't think they will put you in jail over it i do however believe they may revoke you licence temporarily and maybe alchol counceling ordered.......of course i am from NY upstate so maybe south carolina is different......but i know people who have gotten 5 or 6 dui's and are still driving and haven't gone to jail
2007-02-05 12:48:21 · answer #8 · answered by chylie p 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
AS long as you have your fine money and their is no mandatory jail sentence associated with it you will not go to jail
2007-02-05 12:45:48 · answer #9 · answered by pretender59321 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you will be fine. you will probably get probation and they might ask you to attend alcohol classes. goodluck
2007-02-06 16:32:47 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋