How can I get a license to drive if it was seized or forfeited during my arrest?
You must request an administrative hearing within thirty days of your arrest and apply for a temporary license. We can take care of this for you if you decide to have us represent you.
Am I legally required to take the Breathalyzer test at an officer’s request?
No! However, a refusal can result in a six month administrative suspension, but we can help restore your driving privileges. You must act quickly, however, as time constraints are in place.
Am I legally required to take the field sobriety test at an officer’s request?
No! An officer may be reluctant to advise you of this right, but you do not have to take field sobriety tests.
If I register over .08 on the Breathalyzer test, am I automatically guilty of DUI?
No! The Breathalyzer reading is simply a piece of evidence a judge or jury can consider. Our office is familiar with issues related to the Breathalyzer machine that may prohibit a reading from being received as evidence during a trial. Under the South Carolina 2009 DUI Reform Act, penalties, potential incarceration or jail time, and fines have been increased based on the breath test results.
Can I have a lawyer represent me in a DUI charge?
Yes! This is a serious charge. Your freedom and financial situation could change dramatically if you are convicted of a DUI. I strongly recommend that you retain an attorney experienced in DUI defense. On many occasions, there are legal defenses to a DUI charge that only an experienced DUI defense attorney can spot on your behalf. The attorney who may handle a divorce or house closing is most likely not your best option.
Is it illegal to drink alcoholic beverages and drive in South Carolina?
No! In South Carolina, it is legal to consume alcoholic beverages and then drive a vehicle. To be convicted of DUI, a judge or jury must be unanimously convinced beyond every reasonable doubt that your ability to drive was both materially and appreciably impaired by excessive alcohol consumption. Mere proof of a person’s consumption of alcoholic beverages is not enough for a DUI conviction.
Attorney Scott Todd Named Super Lawyers® ‘Rising Star’
For the second consecutive year, Greenville DUI and Criminal Defense attorney Scott Todd has been named to the Super Lawyers® South Carolina ‘Rising Stars’ list. A partner at Sumner & Todd Attorneys at Law, Todd was the only Upstate attorney chosen as a Rising...
Attorney Steve Sumner Named Upstate DUI “Lawyer of the Year” 2024
GREENVILLE, S.C., (August 17, 2023) –– Greenville attorney Steve Sumner has been named 2024 “Lawyer of the Year” for DUI / DWI Defense in Upstate South Carolina by Best Lawyers. It marks the ninth consecutive year Sumner has been included in The Best Lawyers in...
Attorney Scott Todd Selected to ‘Rising Stars’ List
GREENVILLE, S.C. –– Greenville DUI and Criminal Defense attorney Scott Todd has been selected to the Super Lawyers 2023 South Carolina Rising Stars list. He is a partner at Sumner & Todd Attorneys at Law. Each year, no more than 2.5 percent of the lawyers in the...
Sumner & Todd Named to “Best Law Firms in America”
GREENVILLE, S.C. –– Greenville law firm Sumner & Todd, Attorneys at Law has been named a “Best Law Firm 2022, Tier 1” for DUI Defense by U.S. News & World Report. Only six law firms in South Carolina received this recognition. Tier 1 status is reserved for...
Attorney Scott Todd Named “Best & Brightest”
GREENVILLE, S.C., (September 2, 2022) –– Attorney Scott Todd, a partner with Sumner & Todd Attorneys at Law, has been named to Greenville Business Magazine’s “Best & Brightest Under 35” list for 2022. Now in its 28th year, the magazine’s annual issue...
Attorney Steve Sumner Recognized by “Best Lawyers” 2023 and Lawyers Of Distinction
GREENVILLE, S.C., (September 16, 2022) –– For the sixth consecutive year, Attorney Steve Sumner has been selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America 2023 in the field of DUI Defense. He was also named a member of Lawyers of Distinction. Best Lawyers® is...
Murdaugh Murders Saga: Back To The Boat Crash
https://youtu.be/wOUqQ2cpLGc Before the ‘Murdaugh Murders’ true crime saga in South Carolina became national and international news last year – i.e. before the infamous double homicide at Moselle or the bizarre roadside shooting involving disgraced attorney Alex...
Steve W. Sumner Attorney at Law Changes Name to Sumner & Todd
Attorney Scott Todd Named Partner at Sumner & Todd GREENVILLE, S.C. – Upstate South Carolina attorney Steve Sumner has announced the addition of B. Scott Todd as a partner in his law practice. Moving forward, the firm will be known as Sumner & Todd, Attorneys...
What if I Hold a Drivers License in Another State but am Charged with DUI in South Carolina?
If you are licensed in another state but are charged with a DUI in South Carolina, we have all the details you need to know.
Have Questions About Administrative Suspensions in South Carolina DUI/Drunk Driving Cases? We’ve Got Answers
Administrative suspensions of a person’s driver’s license in South Carolina can be confusing, so I’m breaking down some of the key information in today’s post.
20 Good Examples of Why a Driver Needs to Exercise their Right to Remain Silent at a DUI Traffic Stop
Many don’t understand the importance of remaining silent during an arrest. Here are some examples of things people often say that can be incriminating.
Will My DUI Arrest Ever be Erased from My Record?
A common question I hear after a DUI conviction is, “Will my DUI arrest ever be removed from my record?” In some cases, the answer is yes. Learn more here.
An Introduction from Steve Sumner
In South Carolina, a driver has the absolute, complete, and unequivocal right to refuse a field sobriety test.
“What is a Felony DUI in South Carolina?”
In South Carolina, a driver has the absolute, complete, and unequivocal right to refuse a field sobriety test.
Steve Sumner on Proposed Ignition Interlock Legislation in South Carolina
In South Carolina, a driver has the absolute, complete, and unequivocal right to refuse a field sobriety test.
“What Happens After I’ve Been Arrested for a DUI?”
In South Carolina, a driver has the absolute, complete, and unequivocal right to refuse a field sobriety test.
“Do I Have the Right to Say ‘No’ to a Breath Test?”
In South Carolina, a driver has the absolute, complete, and unequivocal right to refuse a field sobriety test.
“Am I Legally Required to Take the Field Sobriety Test at an Officer’s Request?”
In South Carolina, a driver has the absolute, complete, and unequivocal right to refuse a field sobriety test.
“What Are the Consequences of a DUI Conviction?”
A DUI conviction is a serious conviction. A DUI conviction stays on your criminal record forever.
“What Are My Rights at a DUI Checkpoint?”
In more than 20 years as a practicing DUI attorney, this is one of the most common questions I’m asked.
Sumner & Todd,
Attorneys at Law
112 Manly Street
Greenville, SC 29601
Phone: (864) 235-3834
Fax: (864) 233-8781
Email: info@upstatedui.com