FREE CONSULTATIONCharleston DUI Defense Lawyer
A DUI charge can impact your license, your career, your finances, and your future.
Being arrested for DUI does not automatically mean you will be convicted. Peter David Brown provides strategic criminal defense representation designed to protect your rights and help you understand your options at every stage of the process. When your future is on the line, experienced guidance matters.
Schedule Your Free Consultation Arrested for DUI in The City of Charleston, Mt. Pleasant, Goose Creek, Summerville, Sullivan's Island, Isle of Palms, Folly Beach, Charleston, Berkeley, Dorchester or Orangeburg County? Here’s What to Do Right Now.
A DUI Charge Affects Not Only Your License, But Possibly Your Job, and Your Future Income—What You Do Next Matters!
Be Cautious, But Act Quickly:
- Do NOT drive if your license has been suspended!
- If your license was taken, you have a limited time to request a TAL (Temporary Alcohol License) to drive legally while your criminal case is pending—We do that for you immediately.
- Contact an experienced DUI attorney, who knows the current and ever changing DUI Laws.
- Send your paperwork to us, so that we can review it and speak with you about your arrest. We do this for FREE.
- We will set up an interview to discuss the circumstances of your arrest and your interaction with the police officer.
At The Law Office of Peter David Brown, we help people all across Charleston, Mount Pleasant, North Charleston, Goose Creek, Moncks Corner, Folly Beach, West Ashley, Summerville, Berkeley County, Dorchester County and Orangeburg understand their situation from day one.
Why Choose The Law Office of Peter David Brown for Your DUI or DWI Case?
500+ DUI cases and 1,000+ traffic cases handled over the last 30+ years
A DUI defense attorneys with 30+ years of actual courtroom experience! Priceless.
Focused on minimizing or avoiding DUI convictions whenever possible
Free consultation to
review your case
Flexible payment plans available. Don't let a DUI cost you $10,000 or more!
Separate trial fee structure — you don’t pay for a trial unless you actually need a jury trial
With decades of courtroom experience, we have seen virtually every type of DUI scenario and understand how to approach each case strategically.
Award-Winning Representation – As Seen On:
Time Sensitive: Act Quickly After a DUI
Arrest in South Carolina
You have a limited time to request a Temporary Alcohol License (TAL) after your arrest.
Our firm assists with filing your TAL application so you may be able to:
- Get back on the road quickly and legally
- Obtain a temporary license in as little as a two or three days after we request it
- We have a smooth and simple process to hire us— simply call 843.971.0099. Hiring us allows you to avoid needless court appearances and reduces your anxiety and stress.
When you have a serious charge, like a DUI, hanging over your head- you NEED and experienced attorney who has handled these matters for literally decades! There is no substitution for experience and relationships, especially when it comes to Criminal Charges like a DUI arrest. We promise you, no rookie attorneys or new law school graduates will touch your case!
Our Approach to DUI Defense
DUI cases often depend on technical evidence and procedure. We immediately procure and preserve all evidence, carefully reviewing:
- Body camera and dash camera footage
- Traffic stop and arrest procedures
- Field sobriety test administration: HGN, One Legged Stand & Walk and Turn, among others
- Breath test (Datamaster) maintenance and calibration records
- Officer observations and reports
We analyze each stage of the process, including:
- The initial stop
- Questioning and statements
- Field sobriety testing
- Arrest and Miranda warnings
- Breath test procedures and implied consent
- Booking and bond hearing
This detailed review helps identify potential legal issues and defense strategies.
We aggressively pursue fatal flaws in each case, looking to get the DUI dismissed! We have a strong motions practice, attempting to suppress evidence at every juncture.
Do You Need a DUI Lawyer in South Carolina?
Yes—because DUI cases are highly technical and evidence-driven.
Even a first offense can lead to:
- License suspension
- Fines and court costs
- Possible jail time
- Long-term insurance requirements such as SR-22 and higher premiums
- A permanent record
- Ignition interlock devices being required
- Suspension from certain colleges and programs
- The possible loss of professional licenses
- The loss of certain grant and scholarship opportunities
- The prevention of other licensures, such as Commercial Drivers’ Licenses
But a DUI charge is not the same as a conviction.
Many Cases Can Be:
Reduced as a result of artful and persuasive legal arguements regarding the State's evidence
Dismissed for the
same reason
Challenged based on procedure or evidence, prolonging the process and thus delaying the matter until a mutually acceptable resolution can be reached
We step in immediately to review your case and identify opportunities to improve your outcome.
Time Sensitive: Act Quickly After a DUI Arrest in South Carolina
You have a limited time to request a Temporary Alcohol License (TAL) after your arrest.
Our firm assists with filing your TAL application so you may be able to:
- Get back on the road quickly and legally
- Obtain a temporary license in as little as a two or three days after we request it
How We Work to Reduce the Impact of a DUI in South Carolina
We focus on improving your situation by reducing the overall impact of a DUI arrest whenever possible.
Depending on the circumstances, this may include:
- Reduction of the charge
- Minimizing license suspension
- Lowering fines or avoiding jail time
- Reducing or eliminating community service requirements
- Avoiding ignition interlock device requirements when possible
- Preventing points on your driving record
- Avoiding SR-22 insurance requirements
- Requesting continuances or delaying proceedings when appropriate
- Accommodating work schedules or planned travel with bond modifications with the Court
Every case is different, but early legal intervention can create more opportunities to protect your record and your future.
Avoiding Additional Penalties
We take steps to help clients avoid additional burdens that often come with DUI charges, including:
- Ignition interlock device requirements and the stigma associated with them
- Increased insurance premiums which can follow a conviction
Our goal is to help you move forward with as little long-term impact as possible.
Long-Term Consequences of a DUI Conviction
A DUI conviction can affect more than just your immediate penalties.
Employment & Professional Impact
May affect current employment or job opportunities Can impact professional licenses (healthcare, legal, CDL, etc.) May require reporting to licensing boards
Personal & Financial Impact
Increased insurance premiums (SR-22 requirements) Potential ignition interlock device costs Limited driving privileges
Other
Considerations
Housing or education applications Custody or family law matters Long-term criminal record implications
South Carolina also enforces a 10-year lookback period. This means a second DUI arrest within that time frame can be charged as a second offense, carrying enhanced penalties—including up to one year in state prison, increased fines, and longer license suspension periods.
Serving Clients Across the South
Carolina Lowcountry
We represent clients throughout the Lowcountry in these local courts:
- City of Charleston Municipal Court
- Mount Pleasant Municipal Court
- Isle of Palms Municpal Court
- Sullivan’s Island Town Court
- Charleston County Magistrates Courts
- Berkeley County Magistrates Courts
- Dorchester County Magistrates Courts
- Orangeburg County Magistrates Courts
- Goose Creek Municipal Court
- Summerville Municipal Court
- Moncks Corner Municipal Court
- Folly Beach Municipal Court
- North Charleston Municipal Court
- Hanahan Municipal Court
- All other municipal courts and traffic courts throughout the Lowcountry and into the Upstate as needed.
Across Municipal, Magistrate, and General Sessions Courts.
Protect Your License, Your Record, and Your Future
A DUI charge does not have to define your future. Taking action early gives you more options.
If you’ve been arrested for DUI in Charleston, North Charleston, Mt. Pleasant, Folly Beach, West Ashley, Goose Creek, Moncks Corner, Summerville, Berkeley, Dorchester or Orangeburg or anywhere in the Lowcountry, contact The Law Office of Peter David Brown to discuss your case.
Chronological Walk-Thru of a DUI
- Stop
- Questioning (admissions regarding drinking = all voluntary, we suggest you refuse tactfully)
- Request to perform FSTs (also voluntary, don’t do it!) – These tests are divided attention tests that are NOT a scientific experiment. They are subjective.
- Admissions (don’t confirm their suspicions by making any admissions)
- Arrest
- Miranda reading
- Ride to jail (recorded)
- Datamaster room (recorded)
- Implied consent rights
- 20-minute waiting period for mouth alcohol to dissipate/evaporate
- Opportunity to provide a breath sample. Remember: “Heck no! Don’t blow!”
- Refusal & receipt of the implied consent suspension (Blue Form)
- Upon Refusal – Police will physically take your license
- Booking process
- Placement into the holding cell
- Phone call at some point
- Bond hearing normally the next morning
- Collection of personal belongings and documents from the jail
- Recovery of your vehicle from the tow yard
DUI Terminology
- TAL: Temporary Alcohol License
- Administrative Hearing: Hearing normally requested by your attorney to gather evidence and gauge the strength of the arresting officer’s testimony.
- IID: Ignition Interlock Device – Device that takes your picture and measures your breath alcohol level to determine if you are allowed to operate your motor vehicle.
- Datamaster: Breath alcohol measuring device
- Datamaster Repair Records: SLED maintained records for the servicing of the datamaster at each police station
- Datamaster Calibration: Required calibration of the datamaster for accuracy
- Datamaster Solution: Mixture provided by SLED to measure one’s breath sample against
- SR-22: High Risk Insurance
- FSTs: Series of three (3) tests the officers use to attempt to determine if one is impaired. The tests include:
1. Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus (HGN): An eye-tracking test in which the officer observes the movement of the eyes as they follow an object, such as a pen, moving side to side.2. One-Leg Stand: A balance test requiring the individual to stand on one foot for a specified period of time.
3. Walk-and-Turn: A divided-attention test requiring the individual to walk heel-to-toe in a straight line, turn, and return in the same manner.
- BWC: Body worn camera
- In Car Video: Required camera inside of vehicle to insure accuracy and proper documentation of the arrest
- Reasonable Suspicion: The officer’s initial suspicion of some criminal activity
- Probable Cause: The level that the officer as additional evidence, to the degree that the suspected criminal activity is probably present.
- Arrest: When you are legally taken into police custody
- Booking: The fingerprinting and photographing of you for the National Criminal Registry
- Bond: An amount set by the judge to ensure that you will appear for court at some future date
- Types of Bond: Personal recognizance, surety, 10% bond
- Rule 5 Discovery: A Legal Motion your attorney normally files with the court and the prosecution in order to obtain full access to the state’s evidence against you. Both inculpatory and exculpatory
- Procedural Challenges: Legal arguments based on the officer’s actions
- Suppression of Evidence: Legal motion, attempting to keep certain evidence out of court and prevent the use of it against you based on some legal basis. Experience matters here.
- Fatal Flaws: Mistakes the arresting officer made that might result in a dismissal
- Reduction In Charges: The lowering of the initial charge, normally as a result of negotiations between your attorney and the prosecution/arresting officer.
- Jury Trial: Presentation of evidence in a court of law to six jurors of your peers in Magistrate and Municipal Court
- Plea: A decision to waive a jury trial and negotiate a resolution to a legal matter
- Municipal Court: Courts in a city or town
- Magistrates’ Court: Various courts in a county
- SCHP: South Carolina Highway Patrol
SCDPS Stats
DUI Arrests & Convictions
DUI Accidents
DUI Deaths
Felony DUI Arrests
Felony DUI Deaths
Average Prison Sentences for Felony DUI
Serving Clients Across the South Carolina Lowcountry
If you’ve been accused of a DUI anywhere in the Lowcountry up into Orangeburg, we can help with your DUI. Some of the specific areas we’ll handle an arrest out of are as follows:
- City of Charleston
- Mount Pleasant
- Sullivan’s Island
- Isle of Palms
- Charleston County
- Berkeley County
- Dorchester County
- Orangeburg County
- North Charleston
- Goose Creek
- Hanahan
- Summerville
- Moncks Corner
- Folly Beach
- Seabrook Island
- Kiawah Island
- West Ashley
- James Island
- Ladson
- Ravenel
- Meggett
- Rockville
- Hollywood
- Cottageville
- Lincolnville
- Kingstree
- Nexton
- Jedberg
- Cross
- McClellanville
- Awendaw
- St. Stephen
- Bonneau
- Jamestown
- St. George
- Ridgeville
- Harlyville
- Reevesville
- Santee
- Elloree
- Branchville
- Holly Hill
- Bowman
- Rowesville
- Cope
- Cordova
- Norway
- North
- Neeses
- Springfield
- Woodford
We cover all other municipalities, towns and communities throughout the Lowcountry.
Call the Law Office of Peter Brown. If we don’t handle matters in your jurisdiction, we have a wide network of skilled attorneys throughout the state, whom we can refer you to for help.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Traffic stop and investigation
- Field sobriety tests (optional)
- Arrest
- Breath test or refusal (Refuse! Say no, don’t blow!)
- License suspension process begins
- Court proceedings
- Legality of the traffic stop
- Officer observations
- Field sobriety test administration (Say no, don’t blow!)
- Breath test accuracy and calibration
- Body cam and dash cam footage
- Talking to police without a lawyer
- Admitting to drinking
- Posting about your arrest online
- Missing deadlines (especially for license issues)
- Waiting too long to get legal help
- License suspension
- Fines and court costs
- Jail time (in some cases)
- Ignition interlock device requirements
- Increased insurance (SR-22)
You may face an immediate suspension—but you may also qualify for a Temporary Alcohol License (TAL). Acting quickly is critical to protect your ability to drive.
Yes, in some cases. DUI charges often depend on technical evidence, and issues with the stop, testing, or procedure can lead to reduced or dismissed charges. This is why you need an experienced DUI attorney who is familiar with all the possible defenses.
Not always. Many first-time DUI cases can be resolved without jail, depending on the facts and how the case is handled. Your experienced attorney can explain all the options.
It varies. Some cases resolve in a few months, while others take longer if challenged or taken to trial.
Yes. DUI cases are complex and technical. Having an experienced attorney can significantly impact your outcome. If you cannot afford an experienced attorney, you still need to hire an attorney to protect your interests.
If you or a loved one have been arrested for a DUI- DO NOT simply plead guilty!
Please speak with a seasoned DUI defense attorney who will at least be able to provide some positive guidance to help you avoid all the negative results of a conviction. These include the possibility of jail time, huge fines, additional suspensions, an alcohol interlock device or community service.
Please call—the consultation is FREE and we can at least give you an idea of what concessions you should ask the state to give you, if you insist on pleading guilty.
- An intelligent, experienced lawyer, who truly listens can always find ways to improve even the most dire situation. Whether it is a reduction points, a charge, in a fine, a suspension, a negotiation for probation or even prison time. There are hidden penalties and ramifications to every conviction, whether it is a misdemeanor or a felony! A seasoned and skilled lawyer is essential as someone enters the legal world. It is not a place to tread lightly, with often life long consequences that come with some convictions.
- We have defeated over a thousand DUI & traffic tickets over the last 30+ years. That is an extraordinary number. That is extraordinary experience that can work for you!
- Again, we have a smooth and simple process to hire us. It often allows you to avoid court appearances and reduces your anxiety and stress. We’ve been doing this for decades. We can often obtain outcomes that result in even the most serious traffic offenses/violations being dismissed completely! Don’t allow traffic violations derail your future opportunities. We know the rules and regulations of each court in the Lowcountry.
- Do NOT plead guilty! We fight DUIs—every case has flaws, we hunt for them—a skilled attorney might make them. Hundreds of DUIs dismissed, road blocks, traffic checkpoints, and safety checkpoints. Contact us today.