The availability and affordability of rides on the Uber network provide the residents of Uber-enabled cities with an important alternative to drunk driving. Each drunk driver who is replaced by a safe, professional, and sober partner on Uber’s platform represents a considerable contribution to the welfare of a city such as Chicago. Until now, this […]
An arrest for driving under the influence in South Carolina can be frightening. This is especially true for those who are facing the charge for the first time. While the penalties increase in severity for subsequent convictions, the fear of the unknown makes facing this charge for the first time so unsettling. An experienced, knowledgeable […]
DUI arrests and convictions are an important metric for the area of law enforcement and prosecutors. Although they know that many DUI cases are not solid, they still want to obtain convictions the majority of the time. Because of this, prosecutors need to have a reason to make the reduction. If they believe that they […]
South Carolina is working hard to reduce DUIs — the fatality rate from alcohol-related accidents has dropped 40% in the past decade. Below we list the penalties for a first offense and the associated administrative penalties assessed by the state licensing bureau. Note that aggravating factors such as having a child in the car or […]
The United States Supreme Court has announced that it will not hear an appeal from Colorado by prosecutors on whether officers should be allowed to forcibly take blood from a DUI suspect without a warrant. The United States Supreme Court’s refusal to hear the case means that the decision of the Colorado Supreme Court on […]
Computer scientists at Queens College and Columbia University have developed software to identify if someone is drunk based on their speech. They believe someday the technology could be added to cars to keep people from driving while under the influence of alcohol. Library of Drunken Speech The software is based on the work of researchers in […]
As DUI law has developed in South Carolina and as public opinion has increasingly turned against individuals who find themselves with DUI charges, the penalties for DUI convictions and consequently DUI pleas have gotten stricter. The state legislature has taken increasing amounts of discretion away from judges to sentence based on the merits in each […]
Most people believe body camera implementation is a step in the right direction for police, although it will not end occurrences of excessive force. As a national debate erupts over police use of force, law enforcement agencies across the Upstate are taking a hard look at body cameras designed to record officer’s encounters and potentially […]
At The Bateman Law firm we want you to have a safe and fun Holiday! The CDC reports that 728 people will be injured or killed each day in drunk driving accidents between Thanksgiving and New Year’s—a rate two to three times higher than the rest of the year. In order to help avoid being a statistic, […]
The South Carolina Department of Public Safety (SCDPS) launched the 2014-2015 Christmas/New Year Sober or Slammer! enforcement blitz today to combat impaired driving and reduce highway fatalities and injuries. SCDPS teamed up with the Lexington County Sheriff’s Office, holding the news conference at the Detention Center. SCDPS, joined by local law enforcement agencies and concerned […]
A conviction for driving under the influence can wreck more than your car: it can damage your credit. While a DUI (or DWI — driving while intoxicated) won’t show up directly on your credit report or get factored into your score, the financial ramifications could hit your credit hard. “A DUI can have a catastrophic […]
Emma’s Law: How does it change South Carolina and its drivers? Governor Nikki Haley signed an important piece of legislation into law that will lead to very real changes for those convicted of drunk driving in South Carolina. The measure, known as “Emma’s Law,” was passed by the legislature earlier this month and will dramatically […]