Legal Blog

Tickets Issued to Out of State Drivers

A South Carolina Advocate for Out of State Drivers
 
Many people who contact our office for help with a traffic violation are out-of-state residents who were stopped by an officer while visiting South Carolina. Christopher J. Geier has extensive experience advocating on behalf of out-of-state clients charged with speeding tickets and other traffic violations.
South Carolina's Point System Does Not Apply to You

Like most states, South Carolina's DMV assigns points to your license for various traffic offenses. However, if you are licensed in North Carolina, Georgia, Florida, New York or any state other than South Carolina, South Carolina's point system does not apply to you.

Instead, it is likely that your South Carolina traffic offense will be reported to your home state upon conviction. Once your DMV gets the report of the conviction, it may assign points based on its system, not South Carolina's. Many police officers, however, will tell you at the scene the number of points the offense carries in South Carolina if you just pay the ticket. Unfortunately, the officer probably has no idea how the offense will affect you in your home state.

Do Not Gamble With Your Driving Privileges

If you were issued a ticket for speeding or any other traffic violation in South Carolina, call an experienced traffic lawyer and weigh your options. As a former prosecutor and experienced defense lawyer, Christopher J. Geier will provide you with a vigorous defense to minimize the effect of your speeding ticket or other traffic offense.

In most cases, you will not need to return to South Carolina for your court appearance. Instead, let local attorney Christopher J. Geier appear on your behalf and work to get your the best possible outcome.
We have a proven record of success in negating or reducing the points for our out-of-state clients in Magistrate and Municipal courts throughout Southeastern South Carolina.

Contact Us
Christopher J. Geier handles traffic violations and more serious traffic offenses like DUI in Beaufort, Bluffton, Hilton Head, Yemassee, Ridgeland, Hardeeville and in the various Speeding Hot Spots in our area. Contact our office at 843-986-9449, or contact us by e-mail.

Beaufort DUI Drugs Defense Lawyer

DUI Drugs Defense Attorney
It is a crime in South Carolina to drive while impaired by alcohol, drugs or a combination of the two. What makes DUI drug cases unique is that there is no bright-line test to determine if a person is impaired. In a DUI case, the state may introduce evidence from a breath test. If you are over the legal limit and the test results are found credible by a jury, you may be convicted of drunk driving.
With DUI drug charges, there is no legal limit. There is no specific amount of drugs in a person's system that automatically renders him or her impaired under South Carolina law. As a result, the testimony of police officers regarding a driver's capacity can carry significant weight. Defending clients against DUI drug charges is highly complex and requires the attention of a highly qualified criminal defense lawyer.

Call 843-986-9449, for a Strong Defense
At the law office of Christopher J. Geier, we are committed to providing a vigorous defense on behalf of people who have been charged with DUI drug offenses. We understand that DUI drug charges often seem unfair.

Many people are surprised to discover that they can be charged with a DUI drug offense even if they were driving under the influence of a prescription medication that was prescribed by their doctor. In other cases, people who have tested positive for the presence of illegal drugs in their system could potentially be convicted of a DUI drug charge even if they last used drugs several days before driving. Because some drugs may linger in a person's system for days, the veracity of such evidence is highly questionable in some cases.

Put a Former Prosecutor to Work for You
If you have been charged with driving under the influence of drugs, let us put our experience to work for you. Attorney Christopher J. Geier is a former prosecutor and experienced DUI attorney. As a former prosecutor, he understands what evidence prosecutors need to obtain a conviction. He also understands what prosecutors are looking for when reviewing the conduct of a defendant after his or her arrest. Additionally, Mr. Geier regularly attends conferences which focus of DUI defense, including cases involving drugs other than alcohol.

By preparing thoroughly for the possibility of trial, raising a strong defense and advising clients of proactive steps they may take to create a more favorable impression with prosecutors and judges, we strive to help our clients resolve their case in the most effective manner possible.


Contact Us
If you need to speak with a Beaufort DUI drug defense attorney who handles cases in Beaufort, Bluffton, Hilton Head, Okatie, Hardeeville, Ridgeland, Yemassee and throughout the Lowcountry, contact the law office of Christopher J. Geier at 843-986-9449, or contact us by e-mail.

DUI Suspensions in South Carolina

Suspensions Following a DUI Arrest in South Carolina
If you have been charged with Driving Under the Influence in South Carolina and you refused to submit to a breath test or if you blew a .15 or greater, your driving privileges are immediately suspended by South Carolina's DMV. This is true even if you are licensed in another state.
If you find yourself in this position, you must take immediate action!

You should have received a notice of suspension after your arrest. Look carefully at this form, as the front and back sides contain the information you need to request a hearing to contest this initial suspension. Unfortunately, you have only 30 days to request a hearing for the DMV suspension and if you wait too long, you may waive your right to contest this suspension and it will appear on your driving record, even if you are found not guilty by the criminal court.

Further, if you choose not to fight this suspension and simply wait it out, you may be required to enroll in Alcohol and Drug Safety Action Program (ADSAP) classes before your full privileges can be restored.

It is vital that you request a DMV hearing immediately and contact a lawyer who is experienced in handling DUI cases and contesting these DMV suspensions.

Contact Us
If your license has been suspended following a DUI charge in Beaufort, Bluffton, Hilton Head, Hardeeville, Ridgeland or Yemassee, South Carolina, we can help. Contact the law office of Christopher J. Geier at 843-986-9449, or contact us by e-mail.

South Carolina Speeding Hot Spots

Speed traps in and around Beaufort, South Carolina
Where am I likely to get a speeding ticket South Carolina?

Like any region, the area around Beaufort, Bluffton and Hilton Head Island has its share of speeding hot spots. Drivers in this area should use caution, as it is likely that a police officer is waiting around the next corner.

Motorists traveling on I-95, just north of the Georgia border should take care, as the police departments of Hardeeville, Ridgeland and Yemassee are often found patrolling their respective stretches of I-95.

Yemassee Speeding Tickets
Driver's using a GPS will frequently exit I-95 and drive through the Town of Yemassee to get to Beaufort, Port Royal or Parris Island. Watch out, as the speeds vary frequently through Yemassee and police officers are on the lookout!

Hardeeville and Bluffton Speeding Tickets
Vacationers on their way to Hilton Head Island typically take Highway 278 from I-95. The first several miles of Highway 278 are in the town limits of Hardeeville, and they patrol that area heavily. The last several miles of Highway 278 before Hilton Head Island are within the Town of Bluffton. This stretch is patrolled by both Town of Bluffton Police and by the Beaufort County Sheriff's Office.

Highway 17 Speeding Tickets
Drivers who choose to take Highway 17 through Beaufort County while heading to Charleston or Savannah should be cautious as well. The Department of Transportation recently constructed a new interchange at Highway 17 and Highway 21. Although construction is complete, the speed limit fluctuates between 60, 45 and 55 miles-per-hour with very little warning.

Contact Us
If you received a speeding ticket in any one of those hot spots and need to speak with an experienced lawyer who handles speeding tickets and other traffic violations in Beaufort, Bluffton, Hilton Head, Yemassee, Ridgeland, Hardeeville or throughout South Carolina's Lowcountry, contact the law office of Christopher J. Geier at 843-986-9449, or contact us by e-mail.

Simple Possession of Marijuana

Beaufort County SC Drug Attorney
Simple Possession of Marijuana is one of the most common criminal charges in South Carolina. While attitudes regarding the use and possession of Marijuana are changing across the nation, a conviction for possession can have serious consequences in South Carolina. Unfortunately, most people do not realize this, and they decide against hiring a lawyer who handles these types of cases.

In South Carolina, a conviction for Simple Possession of Marijuana, can lead to: 1. the suspension of your driver's license (if your arrest was prior to April 12, 2011); 2. disqualification for certain jobs, scholarships or government programs; 3. a criminal record; and 4. increased punishments if you are convicted of another drug offense in the future. Fortunately, the law in South Carolina was recently changed, so a drug possession arrest after April 12, 2011 will no longer result in a license suspension in South Carolina. However, if you are not licensed in South Carolina, whether or not a Simple Possession of Marijuana charge will result in a suspension will depend on the laws and policies of your home state.

The stakes are too high to go it alone. Call attorney Christopher J. Geier and arrange a free consultation to discuss your rights. There may be hope in your case and we are committed to reaching the most favorable result for our clients.

Contact Us
If you have been charged with Simple Possession of Marijuana in Beaufort, Bluffton, Hilton Head, Ridgeland, Hardeeville, Yemassee, Jasper County, SC or the surrounding areas of the Lowcountry, please e-mail us or call 843-986-9449, to schedule a free consultation today.