You can face a number of severe consequences for a DUI conviction including costly fines, jail time, lost driving privileges, and more. Below are the criminal penalties you can face for the different types of DUI charges:
First DUI Offense
This carries the least severe penalties, but the punishment may be harsher depending on aggravating factors such as excessively high blood alcohol levels. You may be assessed a fine of up to $1000, community service and/or jail time, and a license suspension for up to 6 months.
Second DUI Offense
The consequences of a second DUI conviction can be made more severe depending on the recency of your first DUI and your blood alcohol content (BAC) at the time of the arrest. You may face jail time of up to 3 years, between $2,100 and $6,500 in fines, a 1-year license suspension, and mandatory installation of an ignition interlock device.
Third DUI Offense
The penalties from a third DUI offense get even more severe and can scale higher based on the driver's BAC at the time of the arrest. You may face between 90 days and 5 years in jail, a steep fine between $5,500 and $10,000, suspension of your driver's license, and required installation of an alcohol ignition interlock device for up to 4 years.
Fourth DUI Offense
A fourth DUI conviction in 10 years is classified as a felony in South Carolina. This carries the most severe penalties including permanent revocation of your driver's license, up to 7 years incarceration time, and a lifetime requirement for an ignition interlock device if you do keep your driving privileges.