In the state of South Carolina, DUI laws apply to all drivers on the road, including those who are driving commercial vehicles. From bus drivers and delivery drivers to long-haul truckers, anyone who operates a vehicle in South Carolina cannot be under the influence of drugs or alcohol when driving.
Like other motorists, commercial drivers are required to submit to field sobriety and breathalyzer tests to determine whether or not they are under the influence of drugs or alcohol. The police administer these tests anytime they suspect that a driver is intoxicated.
Unfortunately, the penalties for driving under the influence can be quite severe for commercial drivers, often resulting in the loss of their commercial driver’s license (CDL). For a driver, losing their commercial license can take away their ability to earn a living, resulting in severe financial repercussions. That is why it is so important to seek out legal representation as soon as possible after an arrest.
Hiring a top-rated commercial driver DUI lawyer in Greenville, SC is essential. With the help of a qualified lawyer, commercial drivers can often beat the charges, meaning that they won’t lose their CDL.
South Carolina has strict DUI laws for commercial drivers. The blood-alcohol content (BAC) level of a commercial driver must be under 0.04% for them to legally operate the vehicle. This is far lower than the requirements for most other motorists on the road, whose blood-alcohol content just needs to be below 0.08%. If a commercial driver submits a breath sample with a higher BAC than 0.04%, they can be arrested for driving under the influence and can lose their commercial driver’s license.
Some drivers think that they can get around this requirement by refusing to submit to the breath test. Unfortunately, that doesn’t work. Refusing to take a breathalyzer test or submit to a field sobriety test can also result in the loss of the driver’s commercial license.
With good legal representation, however, all hope is not lost. Lawyers who are trained in handling commercial DUI cases can analyze the circumstances of the case, looking for ways to beat or reduce the charges.
For instance, if a police officer stops a commercial driver without a legitimate legal reason for doing so, any evidence that is gathered after the stop has to be thrown out. The lawyer can evaluate how and why the stop occurred to make sure that the police officer was following the law when they pulled the driver over.
If they didn’t have a valid reason for making the stop, the evidence that they collected including the field sobriety test and breathalyzer test can’t be used in the case. Without any evidence, the charges are usually dropped, allowing the driver to keep their license.
Since every case is unique, drivers need to seek legal advice as soon as possible after an arrest. Contacting a DUI lawyer in Greenville, South Carolina who specializes in cases involving commercial drivers is the best option. With qualified legal help, drivers are often able to keep their licenses, allowing them to continue earning a living.