DUI Conference Committee Completes Work

Bill must receive final vote from legislators before heading to Governor

Columbia, SC - The Joint Legislative Conference Committee on DUI Reform, chaired by Senator Larry Martin (R-Pickens) today finalized work on a stronger DUI law for South Carolina. The agreement provides for a tiered structure of penalties tied to the blood alcohol concentration of the driver and removes some of the roadblocks to prosecuting drunk drivers.

“This represents a very positive change in the law, it strengthens penalties against both first time and repeat offenders,” says Senator Larry Martin. “The law is designed to encourage societal changes about drinking and driving. This is not about alcohol consumption, it is about drinking and driving and the unacceptable consequences of those actions.”

Under the agreement reached by the conference committee first time offenders could face penalties as much as $1000 or jail time of up to 90 days. Penalties on a repeat offender increases with every subsequent conviction. A second DUI conviction carries fines up to $6,500 and as much as three-years jail time. A third DUI conviction carries fines of up to $10,000 and a maximum of five years, and a fourth conviction mandates jail time of up to seven years.

“I thought it was important to put the final touches on the bill this week, so that we could get it to a vote as early as possible next week,” says Senator Martin.

The conference report must be approved by both the House and Senate before heading to the Governor’s Office. Governor Sanford has indicated his desire for a strong DUI bill and is expected to sign the bill once approved by the General Assembly.

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