SC DMV offers driver amnesty week 2017. March 13-17.

The South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles is again this year holding its "Diver Suspension Eligibility Week," meaning that certain drivers can apply to reduce or clear remaining time of their driver's license suspension. 

• The Following suspensions may qualify for this:
• Drivers suspended for operating an unlicensed taxi.
• Underage drivers suspended for excessive points.
• Drivers suspended for driving under suspension excluding drug or alcohol related convictions.
• Drivers suspended for operating an uninsured vehicle they did not own.
• Drivers suspended for operating or allowing operation of an uninsured vehicle.

The drivers who meet the above criteria must complete all of the conditions of their suspensions including paying all of the fines and fees and providing an SR-22 Certificate of Insurance.

This is a helpful program that the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles puts on and is a good opportunity for people get their driving privileges reinstated. 

For more information on this, please contact the SC DMV.

Open Containers in Motor Vehicles

It is illegal in South Carolina for a person to have in his or her possession any beer or wine in an open container in a moving vehicle of any kind while located on the public highways or highway, except in the truck or luggage compartment.

For purposes of the South Carolina open container law, beer or wine means any beer or wine containing one-half of one percent of alcohol by volume.

Violation of the South Carolina open container law is a misdemeanor offense in South Carolina and, upon conviction, must be fined not more than $100 or jailed not more than 30 days. 

Any alcohol related offense in South Carolina is taken seriously, even open container tickets. If you are facing charges of open container, it is in your best interest to contact our office today. 

DUI Administrative Suspension Hearings

If you’ve lost your license from a DUI arrest in Charleston, Berkeley, or Dorchester County, it is possible to obtain a temporary license while your case is ongoing. You may be eligible to request an Administrative Hearing from the SC Office of Motor Vehicle Hearings.

Who is eligible to request an Administrative Hearing?

·      Drivers who refused to submit to a Breathalyzer Test.

·      Drivers who registered a .15 or higher blood alcohol content (BAC).

When can I request an Administrative Hearing?

·      Your request must be made within 30 days of the date of your DUI arrest.

How much does it cost to request an Administrative Hearing?

·      $200. (personal checks are not accepted)

How much does a Temporary Alcohol license cost?

·      A temporary license costs $100.

What happens if I win my DUI Administrative Hearing?

·      You will not receive an administrative suspension for your refusal to submit to a Breathalyzer test or for having registered a .15 or higher blood alcohol content (BAC).

What happens if I lose my DUI Administrative Hearing?

·      You will be required to turn in your temporary alcohol license and serve your suspension.

·      You will be required to enroll in ADSAP.

·      This suspension is separate from the suspension you will receive if you are convicted of DUI in court.

If you have been charged with DUI in Charleston, Berkeley, or Dorchester County, contact our office today. 

DUI COLLISION STATISTICS

SC DUI FACTS (Based on SC Dept. of Public Safety 2012 Report)

1.     67% of the drivers in DUI collisions were male

2.     43% v. 11% - The rate of alcohol involvement in collisions at night vs. day

3.     348- The number of people killed in alcohol-impaired crashes.

NATIONAL DUI FACTS (Based on NHTSA 2012 Report)

1.     30% of all fatal crashes during the weekend were alcohol-related, compared to 15% during the week.

2.     31% of fatal crashes involved alcohol.

3.     35% v. 9% - The rate of alcohol involvement in collisions at night vs. day

4.     10,322- The number of people killed in alcohol-related crashes.

If you have been affected by a drunk driving accident let us review your case. 

South Carolina Seat Belt Usage Rate At Historic High - 93.9%

According to a new survey, nearly 94% of South Carolina motorists wear their seat belt. The South Carolina Department of Public Safety commissioned the survey by USC as a part of the state's Buckle Up, South Carolina Memorial Day campaign. According to the findings:

1. Women continue to be more likely than men to use seat belts
2. Car drivers/passengers were more likely to wear seat belts than truck drivers/passengers 
3. Rural drivers/passengers and urban drivers/passengers had similar rates of seat belt usage

According to the National Highway Traffic Administration, regular seat belt use is the most effective way to protect people and reduce fatalities in car accidents. 

Click here to read the full press release.

Car Wrecks in South Carolina continue to rise. →

As the roads in our great State continue to deteriorate, the effect is being seen with the rise in car wrecks and personal injuries. A 2015 report released by TRIP, a Washington, DC think tank, found that nearly 46% of the roads in South Carolina are in poor condition. In 2008, this number was only 32%. The population of our state continues to grow, yet we are doing little to fix the infrastructure. The increase in population is also increasing the amount of Car Wrecks. Between 2013 and 2014, there were 823 traffic related deaths, a 7.3% increase from the previous year. This is sad thing to see. We must fix the roads to provide safe transportation for every man, woman, and child in the State of South Carolina.

Grounds for Divorce

In South Carolina there are 5 grounds for divorce. Our Courts recognize four “fault” grounds and one “no-fault” ground for divorce.

1.     Adultery

2.     Desertion for a period of one year

3.     Physical cruelty

4.     Habitual drunkenness (alcohol or narcotic drugs)

5.     Separation of spouses for at least one year (“no-fault divorce”)

In order to obtain a divorce, the party filing for divorce must prove at least one of these grounds with legally sufficient evidence. The proof needed to allow the court to grant a divorce on one of the five grounds depends on your circumstance.

Please feel free to contact Crantford Meehan for a Free Consultation regarding your Divorce. Remember, whether you decide to retain us or not, everything we discuss is confidential.  

Violent Crime Rates in South Carolina per County

Violent Crime Rates in South Carolina | FindTheHome

Local attorneys elected to S.C. Bar’s House of Delegates

Summerville attorneys Webb Charpia and William Crantford have been elected to the House of Delegates for the South Carolina Bar Association. The House of Delegates establishes policy for the S.C. Bar and includes delegates from each judicial circuit.

Charpia is a 2003 graduate of Clemson University and a 2007 graduate of the Charleston School of Law. He is the owner of Charpia Law Firm on North Cedar Street.

Crantford is a 2009 graduate of Louisiana State University and a 2014 graduate of the Charleston School of Law. He is a partner at Crantford Meehan, Attorneys at Law on West Richardson Avenue.

Each will serve two-year terms as representatives from the 1st Judicial Circuit. This is Charpia’s third term and Crantford’s first.

Inventor of Remington Firearm Trigger proposed safer design →

Mike Walker, a then 98-year-old retired Engineer from Remington Firearms admitted in a deposition that he proposed a safer design to the company in the 1940's but was rejected because the cost was higher. The projected cost increase: 5.5 cents per rifle. This is another example of a company taking the cheaper alternative when designing a consumer product in order boost profits, at the expense of a life.

In the video he is on oxygen, so his testimony is limited to two hours per day.  Mr. Walker passed away exactly two years after the deposition at age 101. 

http://www.cnbc.com/2015/12/19/under-oath-inventor-of-controversial-remington-trigger-speaks.html

Happy Thanksgiving!

Today I want to take a moment and reflect of all that we have to be thankful for. We at Crantford Meehan are thankful for family, team, friends, colleagues, and last but certainly not least, our wonderful Clients! For without each and every one one you, we would not be able to succeed in life. Thank you all and have a wonderful Thanksgiving!!

Pre-trial Intervention

PRE-TRIAL INTERVENTION

Pre-Trial Intervention, or PTI, is a diversionary program in South Carolina designed for first-time offenders charged with non-violent offenses. If a person is accepted into PTI, and successfully completes the requirements, the charges against them are dismissed and criminal prosecution is avoided.

Who is eligible for PTI in South Carolina?

Many first-time misdemeanor and felony charges are eligible for PTI. Anyone facing criminal charges in magistrate, municipal, or general sessions court may qualify.

Who is not eligible for PTI in South Carolina?

·      Someone who previously has been accepted into an intervention program; or

·      Someone charged with:

•   Blackmail; DUI or DUAC; a traffic-related offense which is punishable only by fine or loss of points; a fish, game, wildlife, or commercial fishery-related offense which is punishable by a loss of 18 points as provided in Section 50-9-1120; a crime of violence as defined in Section 16-1-60; or an offense contained in Chapter 25 of Title 16 if the offender has been convicted previously of that chapter or a similar offense in another jurisdiction.  

South Carolina PTI Application Fees:

1.     $100 application fee

2.     Upon acceptance, there is an additional charge of $250

Should I participate in PTI?

Contact our office for a free consultation. We can help you determine if PTI is the best course of action for your case.