A DUI conviction is not just a legal matter—it can have huge consequences that affect nearly every aspect of your life. From employment opportunities and professional licensing to your ability to drive and travel internationally, the repercussions of a DUI in South Carolina can last for years.
If you have been charged with Driving Under the Influence (DUI) in South Carolina, you need to understand the potential risks and take immediate action to protect your future.
Many employment contracts include morality clauses or require employees to disclose criminal charges or convictions. If your employer has strict policies regarding criminal records, a DUI conviction could result in immediate termination.
If your job requires driving, such as commercial trucking, delivery services, sales, or rideshare driving, a DUI can make it impossible to continue working in that role if your license is suspended. Even if you are not required to drive for work, employers may view a DUI as a sign of irresponsibility or poor decision-making.
A DUI conviction in South Carolina can lead to jail time, especially for repeat offenders or cases involving injury or death. Even a first-time DUI can result in several days behind bars, while a felony DUI can mean years in prison.
Beyond the immediate loss of freedom, incarceration disrupts family life, employment, and financial stability. If you are the primary provider, your absence can create financial hardship for your loved ones, strain relationships, and even impact child custody arrangements.
Many employers conduct background checks as part of the hiring process. A DUI conviction will show up on your criminal record, making it harder to secure a new job.
Even if a potential employer does not automatically disqualify applicants with a DUI, you may have to explain the conviction during interviews, which can be uncomfortable and potentially impact the hiring decision.
Some industries have zero-tolerance policies regarding criminal records, including:
A DUI conviction could disqualify you from working in these fields entirely or make it much harder to secure employment.
If you hold a professional license (such as a doctor, nurse, lawyer, or financial advisor), a DUI conviction can trigger disciplinary action from your licensing board.
Professions that may be affected by a DUI conviction include:
Many professional licensing boards require disclosure of a criminal conviction and may suspend or revoke your license, depending on the severity of the charge.
A DUI conviction in South Carolina automatically results in a driver’s license suspension. Even a first-time DUI can lead to a six-month license suspension.
For individuals who rely on driving for work, such as truck drivers, delivery drivers, or sales professionals, losing a license can mean LOSING YOUR JOB.
Even if driving is not a direct part of your job, not being able to drive to and from work can make employment difficult. If you live in an area without reliable public transportation, your ability to keep your job may be at risk.
A DUI conviction can drastically increase your car insurance premiums, sometimes doubling or tripling your rates. Some insurance companies may even cancel your coverage altogether.
If your job requires you to drive a company vehicle, your employer’s insurance provider may refuse to cover you, making it impossible to continue working in that position.
A DUI conviction can limit your ability to travel to certain countries.
Some countries refuse entry to individuals with a criminal record, while others require a special waiver or permit before allowing entry. Countries with strict DUI travel restrictions include:
If you travel internationally for work or personal reasons, a DUI conviction can make travel significantly more difficult and, in some cases, impossible.
If you are involved in a child custody dispute, a DUI conviction can be used against you in family court.
The court will consider:
A DUI conviction could negatively impact your custody arrangement, resulting in reduced visitation rights or even loss of custody in extreme cases.
A DUI conviction carries a significant social stigma. Even if you are a first-time offender, friends, colleagues, and family members may judge you harshly or view you differently.
This can impact your professional reputation, personal relationships, and community standing. Employers, clients, and business partners may hesitate to associate with someone who has a criminal record.
The consequences of a DUI conviction can be long-lasting and life-altering. However, a DUI charge does not have to define your future.
If you are facing a DUI charge in South Carolina, the time to act is now. The sooner you have an experienced DUI defense attorney on your side, the better your chances of avoiding the severe consequences of a conviction.
Call Mastantuno Law Firm today at (843) 720-3741 for a consultation. Let us fight for your rights and protect your future.
Suffering an injury due to someone else’s negligence can be so physically, emotionally, and financially taxing. We are here to help you maximize your compensation after an injury.
If you’ve been involved in a car accident, slip and fall, workplace injury, or any other personal injury case, securing the maximum compensation you are entitled to is essential to cover medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages.
This is the first and most critical step after an injury. Even if you don’t think your injuries are severe, getting examined by a medical professional is essential for two reasons:
Some injuries, such as concussions or internal injuries, may not be immediately apparent but can worsen over time.
Medical records provide essential evidence for your claim. Delaying medical treatment can be used by the insurance company to argue that your injuries are not serious.
Pro Tip: Follow your doctor’s recommendations closely. If you skip appointments or discontinue treatment prematurely, the insurance company may question the severity of your injuries and reduce your compensation.
Strong evidence is the foundation of any successful personal injury claim. From the moment the accident happens, you should:
One of the biggest mistakes personal injury victims make is failing to account for all medical providers involved in their care. This can delay your settlement and reduce your compensation.
By having a complete list, you avoid missing any medical expenses, ensuring that your full treatment costs are factored into your settlement.
Insurance companies often rush to offer a low settlement in hopes that you’ll accept before realizing the full extent of your injuries.
Why?
🔹 You may not yet know the full cost of your medical treatments.
🔹 Some injuries worsen over time, leading to unexpected medical expenses.
🔹 You deserve compensation for lost wages, pain and suffering, and future medical care.
Your attorney will negotiate aggressively to secure a settlement that reflects the full scope of your damages.
Your compensation isn’t limited to just medical bills and property damage. You are entitled to economic and non-economic damages, including:
An experienced personal injury attorney will ensure that all these factors are considered when negotiating your settlement.
If you are trying to maximize your compensation after an injury, Insurance adjusters are not on your side—they are trained to minimize payouts. Avoid giving recorded statements or discussing your injuries in detail until you have spoken to an attorney.
Your attorney should handle all communications with the insurance company to protect your case.
Your settlement should account for future medical expenses, ongoing treatment, and potential complications. Before accepting any offer, ask yourself:
❓ Will I need physical therapy or additional surgeries?
❓ Will my injury cause long-term pain or disability?
❓ Will I need assistive devices (e.g., wheelchair, braces)?
❓ How will my injury affect my ability to work and earn income in the future?
Your attorney will work with medical experts and financial professionals to calculate the long-term costs of your injury.
Hiring an experienced personal injury attorney dramatically increases your chances of securing maximum compensation. Your lawyer will:
At Mastantuno Law Firm, we have a proven track record of winning personal injury cases. We know the tactics insurance companies use and we fight relentlessly to ensure our clients receive the compensation they deserve.
If you’ve been injured in an accident, don’t leave your settlement to chance. Get the compensation you deserve.
Call us now at (843) 720-3741 for a consultation.
Visit our website to learn more about how we can help.
The Federal case against accused Charleston shooter, Dylann Roof, may have hit a road block this week. A Federal Judge has ruled that the indictment of Roof lacks a key element.
According the The Post and Courier, “U.S. District Judge Richard Gergel ordered prosecutors to file a “bill of particulars,” a detailed explanation of 12 of the 33 charges against Roof in the June 2015 attack that killed nine black worshippers at Emanuel AME Church.”
Judge Gergel has stated that the indictment in its current state doesn’t thoroughly explain a key element of the crimes. Further explanation is needed regarding the religious rights charges Roof faces. It is these charges that make him eligible for the death penalty. According the The Post and Courier, “His defense attorneys said the indictment didn’t explain how the crimes were carried through the use of “interstate commerce,” a necessary component allowing the federal authorities to prosecute Roof. The indictment simply stated that Roof’s actions “were in and affected intestate commerce.””
The judge clearly feels the defense needs further explanation in order to prepare, and that the current indictment is lacking.
In addition to the religious rights charges, Roof has also been indicted on hate crimes and the use of a firearm during a violent crime.
South Carolina continues to rank poorly in driver safety. While Northern and Midwestern states typically are the most dangerous for drunken driving, the Palmetto state is now ranking in the top 10.
According to greenvilleonline.com, “South Carolina’s worst ranking was the fatality rank category where it landed at No. 3 worst. Statistics show 50 percent of fatal accidents in SC involve alcohol in some way.”
This fact may be a surprise to some since South Carolina actually has some of the toughest DUI penalties. Even first time offenders face extremely high fines, jail time, license suspensions, mandatory alcohol education programs and interlock devices.
According to a study published by USA Today, North Dakota was the highest ranking state for fatalities and DUI arrests in 2015. Montana came in at number two.
Given the fact that 30% of Citadel cadets go into the military, you may be surprised to hear that the Charleston based military school used to be the only campus around that didn’t allow guns to be kept in the cars of permit carrying students. That’s all about to change as new gun regulations take place for these cadets.
The change is raising red flags, even amongst cadets. It’s no secret that young freshman at the Citadel go through a harrowing plebe year. Even though freshman are not allowed to have cars on campus, this law does potentially introduce guns into a tense environment.
This concern was brought to Gov. Nikki Haley by cadet Austin Lee. According to The Post and Courier, “Officials at The Citadel say when Lee initially brought this up, they also thought about the potential for lethal hazing … and any number of other potentially ugly scenarios.”
Like most schools which already allow this scenario, the Citadel will expel any student who removes their gun from the car. But this change still has the potential to cause major problems. The Post and Courier states “There has been an uptick in car break-ins in the neighborhoods around campus, and when word gets out that a lot of those cars parked outside of Johnson-Hagood might have guns in them, well, a lot of cadets are probably going to be shelling out money to fix jimmied locks.”
Joey Meek, friend of accused Emanuel AME Church shooter, Dylann Roof, will be having his day in court sooner rather than later.
Meek’s trial has been set for 9:00 a.m. on June 27, 2016. Meek has been accused of knowing about Roof’s plans, and doing nothing to prevent the attack.
According to the Post and Courier, “Meek, 21, faces up to eight years in prison if convicted of misprision of a felony and lying to federal authorities.”
The FBI believes Meek knew details of Roof’s plan early on, and also lied to authorities after the crime had been carried out. The Post and Courier states, “Meek and his family members have said that Roof spoke of carrying out mass violence in Charleston and starting a race war.”
The trial for Dylann Roof is set to begin in July. The prosecutor in Meek’s case, Assistant U.S. Attorney Jay Richardson, said Meek’s trial could last anywhere from 5-10 days. Jury selection will begin on May 3.
As we’ve written before, the state of South Carolina is currently at the top of the list of deadliest states for women at the hands of men. Now that this sad fact is being more widely reported, lawmakers have recently attempted to create new laws to protect our residents from domestic abuse. Just last year we saw new domestic violence reforms that increase penalties for both first-time abusers and frequent offenders. Now, it appears taking a closer look at these laws can uncover some unintended discrimination.
The South Carolina Supreme Court is now saying that a particular domestic violence law discriminates toward same-sex couples. According to the Post and Courier, “The chief justice of the S.C. Supreme Court told lawyers from the state Attorney General’s Office Wednesday that South Carolina’s domestic violence statute as applied to same-sex couples is unconstitutional, but the justices still struggled to determine the proper way to make the law workable.”
The hearing was requested in August by Attorneys Bakari Sellers and Alexandra Benevento. Their anonymous client was denied an order of protection in Richland County. According to The Post and Courier, she was hit and choked by her female ex-fiance.
The Post and Courier states, “Justices spent the bulk of the 30-minute hearing trying to determine the best way to afford protections to same-sex victims of domestic violence — but without being accused by the General Assembly of legislating from the bench.”
The attorneys involved in the case would like to see a new interpretation of the law rather than have it completely stricken. According to the Post and Courier, “Sellers and Smith said there is precedent that would allow the court to interpret “and” in the statute as “or.” Were they to do that, “male and female who are cohabiting or formerly cohabited” would be interpreted as “male or female,” which the attorneys said has been done in previous rulings made by the state Supreme Court.”
While it seems clear that all couples, regardless of gender, deserve protection from domestic violence, Chief Justice Pleicones seems to feel he is in a no win situation. He stated that striking the law will leave too many unprotected, but rewriting the law will draw criticism from the General Assembly.
Gov. Nikki Haley’s recent discovery that police officers are in charge of prosecuting domestic violence cases is leading to some big changes in our state. She is now proposing that we spend $19 million to hire 144 prosecutors to take over this large responsibility.
According to The Post and Courier, “South Carolina is one of three states in the country where police officers — not lawyers — prosecute domestic violence crimes in the courtroom.”
Haley is not alone in this proposition. She was joined during this statement by 9th Circuit Solicitor, Scarlett Wilson.
Wilson was quoted as saying, “I was mortified when I learned that law enforcement (officers) were the ones that were prosecuting these cases…Law enforcement does a great job, but they have enough on their plate…They shouldn’t have to go and try to play lawyer. They are not a substitute for someone who is a trained prosecutor.”
Our state has a bleak history when it comes to domestic violence. We have long topped the lists of deadliest states for women at the hands of men. Gov. Haley hopes this change will turn things around in South Carolina.
The Post and Courier quoted Haley as saying “You have to fix it from the ground up, there has to be a culture change…If we really are going to have the backs of the people who have to deal with domestic violence then we need to have the culture in the way we communicate it. These people are not victims. They are survivors.”
The shift from officers to prosecutors is not the only change Haley is proposing. She is also rolling out an HR policy which will affect sever state agencies. This policy will help companies understand how they can assist employees or coworkers who may be experiencing domestic violence.
Haley stated “We’re going to make sure that we have the resources available and we’re going to have a safety plan. If we find out that there’s someone that is a survivor that is in trouble, we’re going to make sure that we’re walking them to their car. We’re going to make sure that if we have to change their work times, we’re going to change them. We’re going to do what it takes to empower the survivor to get control of their situation.”
Racism is again making headlines in the low country this week after at least eight Citadel cadets were suspended. Social media photos revealed the students wearing Ku Klux Klan type hoods.
According to The Post and Courier, “The school’s president, retired Lt. Gen. John Rosa, called the images “offensive and disturbing.” It shows an upper-class cadet in front of seven cadets wearing all-white clothing and with pillowcases over their heads. Eyeholes had been cut out and one corner of the pillowcases were drawn up to form a point.”
Charleston has made national headlines twice in the past year for the shooting of Walter Scott by a police officer, and of course, the shooting at Emanuel AME Church. Understandably, the newest incident at the Citadel is drawing criticism from the community.
The Post and Courier quoted State Rep. Wendell Gilliard as saying ““This heinous act was committed in close proximity to Mother Emanuel AME Church, and with the recent Walter Scott shooting, this adds insult to injury…This action by the cadets warrants nothing short of an expulsion for all those who are found to be involved in this intolerable act of hate.”
Suspension proceedings began immediately for the accused cadets, and the College is currently investigating further. While the accused claim they were participating in a skit dressed as ghosts, the photos suggest otherwise.
The Citadel has faced this type of situation many times in the past. The Post and Courier states that in March of 2013, “former Citadel cadet Jordyn Jackson told The Post and Courier that she was a victim of racial harassment at the military college almost from the moment she walked through its doors the previous fall. She was the target of racial epithets and racist notes. She quit the school rather than endure more insults.”
If Federal prosecutors get their way, Joey Meek will have his day in court in Charleston rather than Columbia. The friend of AME Emanuel shooter, Dylann Roof, is set to stand trial soon for withholding information from police. He has maintained a not guilty plea.
While Meek’s attorneys have already filed a motion opposing this move, prosecutors maintain their request is based upon convenience for the victims.
According to live5news.com, the motion states, “Among the factors to be considered, the most significant weight should be placed on the rights and convenience of the victims…As this Court is aware, there are a multitude of victims in Charleston area, who have shown a desire to attend all Court hearings. Despite the challenges of travel, many of those victims have traveled to Columbia for hearings in the matter. Moreover, given their interest in this prosecution and the likely non-applicability of any sequestration order, it is likely that many of the victims would attend the trial in its entirety.”
Meek has expressed concern that he may not get a fair trial in Charleston, and also worries that his Columbia based family will not be able to attend.
Witnesses for this case reside both in Charleston and Columbia, however Columbia based witnesses will only need to attend small portions of the trial, according to the prosecutors.
Concern for the families and witnesses may very well be enough to convince the court to move this trial to Charleston.
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