If your facing any South Carolina DUI charge you are probably asking how will the Coronavirus impact your case.
Currently all area courts that hear DUI cases are closed, and cases that were scheduled to be heard this week have been cancelled. The situation is changing day to day and hour to hour, and no one yet knows how long this disruption will last. It is very possible though that courts will remain closed for several more weeks.
This delay will be affecting how DUI cases are scheduled for many months. Not only are DUI cases going to have to be rescheduled, meaning cases that were going to court this week will take up court time in following months, the judges are also going to be dealing with a backlog of every other kind of case.
It is still important that if you have been charged with DUI that you take the necessary steps to protect your interests. Although court dates are being cancelled, we are currently expecting the Office of Motor Vehicle Hearings to be operating to deal with implied consent issues. This is for those who refused breath, blood or urine tests, or who provided a sample of 0.15 or higher. You must still make sure that your petition to challenge the "Notice of Suspension" received with many DUI cases is still timely filed. You also need to make sure the necessary documents to contest a DUI charge are still filed with the court so that a defense can be prepared by the time the court gets around to rescheduling cases.
The Law Office of James R. Snell, Jr., LLC, remains open and able to represent individuals charged with any South Carolina DUI offense. To schedule your consultation with our office call us at 1-888-301-3532. Once we are retained, we take immediate steps to begin representation, including filing the petition with the Office of Motor Vehicle Hearings and the paperwork with the court to protect your rights.