If you’re a commercial driver or CDL holder charged with Driving Under the Influence (DUI) in South Carolina, your entire career may be on the line. Whether you were behind the wheel of a semi-truck, another commercial vehicle, or simply driving your personal car, a DUI arrest can trigger serious legal consequences, license suspensions, and even job loss.
At the Law Office of James R. Snell, Jr., LLC, we have experience defending professional truck drivers charged with DUI across Lexington, Columbia, and throughout South Carolina. We’ve represented drivers cited by local police, the South Carolina Highway Patrol, and State Transport Police—whether the arrest occurred on a major interstate, a weigh station, or a back road.
Ready for a free consultation? Call us at (803) 359-3301.
DUI Law in South Carolina – Not Just About a Breath Test
South Carolina’s DUI statute—S.C. Code § 56-5-2930—makes it a crime to drive while “under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or a combination of substances to the extent that the person’s faculties to drive are materially and appreciably impaired.”
This means:
You don’t have to blow over a certain number to be charged.
The standard is subjective, focusing on alleged impairment observed by the officer.
A low BAC result or even a refusal doesn’t prevent a DUI charge.
We have represented CDL drivers who were arrested after allegedly drifting within their lane, rolling through a stop sign, or making an abrupt turn. In many cases, these minor driving behaviors are misinterpreted or exaggerated, and we are often able to challenge whether there was real evidence of impairment at all.
CDL Holders Are Held to a Higher Standard—And Often Targeted
Truck drivers and other commercial operators are frequently singled out for enforcement—especially during traffic blitzes, DOT checkpoints, or routine weigh station inspections. Even an arrest that might not affect a regular driver in the same way can have devastating consequences for a CDL holder.
We have represented clients who were arrested for DUI:
In their tractor-trailer or commercial vehicle
While operating box trucks, utility vehicles, and other large rigs
While driving their own personal cars
Regardless of the vehicle, a DUI can result in a disqualification of your CDL, even if you weren’t working at the time of the arrest.
Implied Consent Suspensions: Higher Stakes for CDL Drivers
In addition to the criminal DUI charge, South Carolina has an implied consent law that imposes separate license suspensions when:
You refuse a breath, blood, or urine test
You provide a sample of 0.15 or higher
This triggers an administrative license suspension, which includes your CDL, and it’s handled by the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).
For CDL drivers, implied consent hearings are especially serious. Unlike standard cases, the DMV assigns an attorney to represent the agency at the hearing. This attorney can:
Subpoena the arresting officer
Request and review dashcam footage, lab results, and other evidence
Rigorously defend the suspension in a quasi-courtroom setting
We routinely represent truck drivers in these administrative hearings and fight to protect both their driving privileges and their careers.
How We Help
The Law Office of James R. Snell, Jr., LLC, provides comprehensive representation for CDL drivers facing DUI charges. We assist with both the criminal case and the DMV administrative proceedings, including:
Challenging the validity of the traffic stop
Contesting the evidence or results of field sobriety or breath tests
Disputing whether the driver was actually impaired under the law
Representing clients at implied consent hearings
Negotiating with prosecutors to protect your CDL and minimize penalties
We understand that for commercial drivers, a DUI isn’t just a ticket—it’s a threat to your entire livelihood.
Serving CDL Drivers Across South Carolina
From local roads to the interstates, we’ve represented truck drivers in Lexington, Columbia, and throughout the Midlands and beyond. Whether your case involves the State Transport Police, the Highway Patrol, or city and county officers, we have the experience to handle it.
Take Action to Protect Your Future
If you’re a CDL driver facing a DUI charge or license suspension, don’t wait. The sooner you act, the more options we have to challenge the case and protect your ability to work.
Call us today at (803) 359-3301 Or request a confidential consultation through our online case evaluation form
At the Law Office of James R. Snell, Jr., LLC, we fight for South Carolina’s commercial drivers—because your job, your license, and your future are worth it.