Written by Susan E. Williams, South Carolina Criminal Defense Attorney
Last reviewed: January 2015

Driving Under the Influence (DUI) is no doubt a serious offense so some people understandably assume a conviction for DUI or DUAC (Driving with an Unlawful Alcohol Content) means a felony on their record. This is not necessarily the case.

When Can Someone be Charged with a Felony DUI in SC?

There are various situations that someone can be charged with felony DUI. In this blog let’s explore a felony DUI involving great bodily injury or death.

A person that drives a motor vehicle under the influence and causes great bodily injury or death to a person other than himself.

• What is great bodily injury? It is bodily injury which creates a substantial risk of death or which causes serious, permanent disfigurement, or protracted loss or impairment of the function of any bodily member or organ.

Let’s say Person A is driving under the influence and gets into a car accident with Person B and causes Person B serious bodily injuries. This could be a felony DUI.

Let’s say Person A is driving under the influence and runs over Person B who is walking along the shoulder of the road resulting in Person B’s serious bodily harm/ injuries. This could be a felony DUI.

Let’s say Person A is driving under the influence and Person B is a passenger in Person A’s vehicle. As a result of Person A’s car accident, Person B suffers serious bodily harm/ injuries. This could be a felony DUI.

Other Scenarios for Felony DUI in SC

There are many other scenarios but the common denominator is that Person A is driving under the influence and causes serious bodily harm/ injuries or death to anyone other than Person A, as a result of Person A driving under the influence, Person A can be charged with felony DUI.

Can a DUI be removed (expunged) from my record?

Are felony DUI’s expungeable? No

Are misdemeanor DUI’s expungeable? No

If I have no prior criminal convictions on my record and I am arrested for DUI, am I eligible for the Pre Trial Intervention (PTI) program? No.

Have you been charged with a Felony DUI in the Charleston, SC area? Would you like to talk about your situation?

Give me a call at 843-607-9800 or use this link to email me.

About Susan E. Williams

Susan E. Williams is a South Carolina criminal defense attorney who represents clients facing criminal charges throughout the Lowcountry.

She handles matters involving DUI, domestic violence, drug charges, assault and battery, traffic offenses, and other criminal cases in South Carolina.

Learn more about Susan E. Williams

Written and reviewed by Susan E. Williams, South Carolina Criminal Defense Attorney
Last reviewed: January 2015

This article provides general information about South Carolina law and is not legal advice. Reading this article or contacting the Law Office of Susan E. Williams does not create an attorney-client relationship. The law and the options available depend on the specific facts and circumstances of each case.