In recent months, the Charleston Police Department has launched an aggressive campaign to curb impaired driving. That means DUI checkpoints—sometimes referred to as “sobriety checkpoints” or “license and registration checkpoints”—are showing up again across Charleston County.

Reports are coming in from Downtown Charleston, Folly Beach, and James Island. Local drivers are reporting increased police presence on key roads at night. But what many people don’t realize is that DUI checkpoints come with strict rules and rights that can directly impact whether an arrest will hold up in court.

Where Are Charleston DUI Checkpoints Being Set Up?

Charleston Police have confirmed recent DUI checkpoints in the following areas:

Recent and Historical Checkpoint Locations

Local media and official city alerts show that Charleston PD has deployed checkpoints at these locations over the past year:

• Folly Road near Albemarle Road and Calhoun Street near Pitt Street, observed between 9 p.m. – midnight on Thursday, March 27, 2025. Read More.
  
• King Street at Huger Street, Calhoun Street at Halsey Boulevard, during weekend operations between 9 p.m. and midnight in late April 2025.
  
• East Bay Street at South Street and King/Huger intersection, conducted starting at 7 p.m. on May 16, 2024.
  
• New Year’s Eve 2024—four checkpoints at:
  
  • Morrison Drive & Jackson Street (8:00–9:30 p.m.)
    
  • Calhoun & Smith (9:45–11:15 p.m.)
    
  • Harborview & Highway 30 (9:30–10:30 p.m.)
    
  • Highway 61 near Sycamore Avenue (10:30 p.m.–midnight) News Sources.
    

Why These Locations for a DUI Checkpoint?

Police deploy checkpoints based on data-driven analysis—emphasizing trouble spots with high rates of DUI accidents or fatalities. After the fatal Morrison Drive hit-and-run in April 2024, city leadership intensified checkpoint enforcement especially around King Street and bridges into the peninsula Source: Live 5 News.

Large-scale events, holidays like New Year’s Eve, and heavier enforcement times (evenings on weekends) often see saturation patrols and checkpoints in multiple zones across Charleston and neighboring areas DUI Checkpoint News: Live 5 News.

Targeted Areas for DUI Checkpoints

According to ABC News 4, these checkpoints often occur on Thursday, Friday, or Saturday nights between 9:00 p.m. and midnight.

Most target areas near downtown bars, bridges, and high-traffic corridors connecting the peninsula to surrounding areas like James Island, West Ashley, and North Charleston.

Law enforcement says the increased presence is data-driven: police analyze areas with the most DUI-related accidents, injuries, and fatalities to determine where to deploy resources.

South Carolina DUI Checkpoint Law: What Matters

Checkpoint stops are legal in SC, but only if police strictly follow constitutional and statutory protocols:

• Advance approval and use of pre‑determined stopping sequence (e.g., every car or every third car); no discretion per vehicle.
  
• Visible signage, proper lighting, cone/barrier setup, trained officers and a supervising officer must be present.
  
• Advance public notice of checkpoint locations and times, often via media or official alerts, is required.
  
• The primary purpose must be public safety, not routine crime enforcement or increasing arrest quotas.
  

Failure to meet these standards—including inadequate notice or arbitrary stops—can provide grounds to challenge a DUI arrest at a checkpoint.

Typical Timing & Patterns to Know

Historical data and official alerts indicate the following:

Are DUI Checkpoints Legal in South Carolina?

Yes, but the law requires that police follow specific guidelines. If these aren’t met, any resulting DUI charges may be subject to dismissal.

To be legal in South Carolina, a DUI checkpoint must:

• Be authorized in advance by supervisory law enforcement
  
• Use a pre-determined, non-random method of stopping vehicles
  
• Have visible signage, cones, and lights to indicate it’s a lawful checkpoint
  
• Be part of a neutral, public safety effort—not simply to boost arrest numbers
  
• Offer advance public notice (which often appears in local media or police alerts)
  

If any of these factors are missing or improperly handled, your DUI charge could be vulnerable. Learn more about common defense strategies in our step-by-step DUI defense guide.

What Are Police Looking for at a Charleston Checkpoint?

While these stops may be advertised as routine “safety checks,” police are specifically looking for:

• Impaired drivers
  
• Open containers or drugs in plain view
  
• Signs of intoxication, like slurred speech, bloodshot eyes, or the smell of alcohol
  
• Suspended licenses, outstanding warrants, or expired registrations
  

You are not legally required to answer incriminating questions. You can—and often should—politely decline to answer beyond basic identification. If they ask, “Have you had anything to drink tonight?” you’re within your rights to say, “I’d prefer not to answer any questions.”

What Should You Do If You’re Stopped at a Checkpoint?

If you find yourself in a DUI checkpoint in Charleston, here’s what to do:

1. Stay calm. Keep your hands on the wheel and don’t make sudden movements.
   
2. Provide your license, registration, and proof of insurance when asked.
   
3. Remain silent beyond identifying yourself. You have the right not to answer questions about where you’ve been, what you’ve had to drink, or anything else potentially incriminating.
   
4. Don’t consent to a search. If asked to search your vehicle, you can clearly say, “I do not consent to any searches.”
   
5. Know the risk of refusing field sobriety or breath tests. Under South Carolina’s implied consent law, refusal can result in immediate license suspension. However, this may still be advisable in some cases. Speak with a DUI attorney as soon as possible after your arrest.

What Happens If You’re Arrested for DUI in Charleston?

A first-time DUI charge in South Carolina can carry:

• Fines and court costs
  
• License suspension
  
• Mandatory alcohol education programs
  
• Possible jail time
  
• Permanent criminal record
  

But not all DUI charges result in conviction. If the checkpoint was improperly set up or executed, the entire case can be challenged. Learn what to expect after a first-time DUI charge in SC, and how our criminal defense team can fight for your future.

Related Legal Issues

Checkpoint-related arrests aren’t always limited to DUI. At Mastantuno Law Firm, we also defend Charleston clients against:

• Drug possession charges
  
• Firearm charges
  
• Probation violations
  
• Outstanding warrants
  
• Resisting arrest
  

See more about our criminal defense services.

If the checkpoint results in an accident or injury, we can help victims pursue compensation through a personal injury claim. Insurance companies will often deny or undervalue these claims—especially when alcohol is involved. Here’s how to protect your rights.

Need Help After a DUI Arrest in Charleston?

Mastantuno Law Firm has successfully defended hundreds of DUI and criminal charges across Charleston, Mount Pleasant, Folly Beach, and the surrounding Lowcountry. We understand how DUI checkpoints work—and how to find the holes in the prosecution’s case.

If you’ve been charged, don’t wait.

Visit us: https://mastantuno.com
Call now for a free consultation: (843) 720-3741
Or contact us through our online form.