Tickets Issued to Out of State Drivers
Got a Traffic Ticket in South Carolina as an Out-of-State Driver? We Can Help.
If you received a speeding ticket or traffic citation while visiting South Carolina, you’re not alone. Many of our clients are out-of-state drivers who were pulled over while traveling through the Lowcountry - whether on vacation, business, or passing through on I-95.
Attorney Christopher J. Geier has years of experience defending out-of-state drivers charged with traffic violations in South Carolina, including speeding, reckless driving, driving under suspension, and more.
South Carolina's Point System May Not Apply - But Your Home State's Might
Attorney Christopher J. Geier has years of experience defending out-of-state drivers charged with traffic violations in South Carolina, including speeding, reckless driving, driving under suspension, and more.
South Carolina's Point System May Not Apply - But Your Home State's Might
South Carolina assigns points for traffic offenses - but if you’re licensed in another state like North Carolina, Georgia, Florida, or New York, those points likely won’t apply directly to your South Carolina conviction.
However, South Carolina will report your conviction to your home state, and your DMV may assign points or take other actions based on its own laws - not South Carolina’s.
Unfortunately, many police officers will tell you how many points a violation “carries” in South Carolina, encouraging you to just pay the ticket. But they rarely understand the consequences in your home state - which could include:
- License points
- Insurance rate increases
- Potential license suspension
Don’t Risk Your License—Fight Your Ticket with a Local Attorney
However, South Carolina will report your conviction to your home state, and your DMV may assign points or take other actions based on its own laws - not South Carolina’s.
Unfortunately, many police officers will tell you how many points a violation “carries” in South Carolina, encouraging you to just pay the ticket. But they rarely understand the consequences in your home state - which could include:
- License points
- Insurance rate increases
- Potential license suspension
Don’t Risk Your License—Fight Your Ticket with a Local Attorney
If you’ve been ticketed in South Carolina, don’t gamble with your driving privileges. Contact a lawyer who knows the local courts and understands how to protect your record - even if you live out of state.
As a former prosecutor and experienced South Carolina traffic defense lawyer, Christopher J. Geier provides aggressive, personalized defense for drivers from out of state.
In most cases, you won’t need to return to South Carolina. Mr. Geier can appear on your behalf and work to reduce or dismiss the charges, avoid license points, and minimize long-term consequences.
As a former prosecutor and experienced South Carolina traffic defense lawyer, Christopher J. Geier provides aggressive, personalized defense for drivers from out of state.
In most cases, you won’t need to return to South Carolina. Mr. Geier can appear on your behalf and work to reduce or dismiss the charges, avoid license points, and minimize long-term consequences.
Serving All Major South Carolina Traffic Courts in the Lowcountry
The Law Office of Christopher J. Geier regularly handles cases in:
- Beaufort
- Bluffton
- Hilton Head
- Yemassee
- Ridgeland
- Hardeeville
- Beaufort
- Bluffton
- Hilton Head
- Yemassee
- Ridgeland
- Hardeeville
And other Speeding Hot Spots in Beaufort and Jasper counties.
Contact a South Carolina Traffic Lawyer for Out-of-State Drivers
If you’ve received a traffic ticket while visiting South Carolina, call 843-986-9449 or email us today. We’ll review your case and help you take the right steps - so you can move forward with confidence.
Beaufort DUI Drugs Defense Lawyer
Experienced Defense for Driving Under the Influence of Drugs in South Carolina
If you’ve been charged with DUI drugs in South Carolina, you need a defense attorney who understands the complexities of these cases. At the Law Office of Christopher J. Geier, we defend clients accused of driving under the influence of drugs (DUID) throughout Beaufort, Bluffton, Hilton Head, Hardeeville, Ridgeland, Yemassee, Okatie, Port Royal and across the Lowcountry.
DUI Drug Charges Are Different from Alcohol DUIs
Under South Carolina law, it’s illegal to drive while impaired by alcohol, drugs, or a combination of both. But DUI drug cases differ significantly from standard DUI alcohol cases.
No Legal Limit: There’s no specific legal limit for drugs in your system. Unlike alcohol DUIs, there is no “.08” standard.
No Breath Test Evidence: These cases often rely heavily on the observations and testimony of law enforcement officers, including Drug Recognition Experts (DREs).
Prescription Medications Count: You can be charged with a DUI even if you were taking lawfully prescribed medication.
Drug Metabolites Linger: Many substances remain detectable in your system for days - even if you are no longer impaired.
This makes DUI drug charges more subjective and difficult to prove, but also more difficult to defend without an experienced South Carolina DUI lawyer.
Put a Former Prosecutor on Your Side
Attorney Christopher J. Geier is a former prosecutor with extensive experience handling DUI cases involving both alcohol and drugs. He understands what the state needs to prove to get a conviction—and how to attack weak evidence in court.
Mr. Geier:
- Knows how prosecutors build DUI drug cases
- Understands the weight of officer testimony and toxicology reports
- Attends continuing legal education focused on DUI drug defense strategies
- Works directly with clients to build strong, customized defenses
Whether it’s questioning the validity of a traffic stop, the officer’s observations, or the reliability of drug testing, we leave no stone unturned in protecting your rights.
Call 843-986-9449 for a Strong DUI Defense
At the Law Office of Christopher J. Geier, we fight aggressively for clients facing DUI charges involving drugs - whether it’s marijuana, prescription drugs, or other controlled substances. Our goal is always to get the charge dismissed, reduced, or resolved in a way that minimizes long-term consequences.
Serving Clients Throughout the South Carolina Lowcountry
We represent clients in:
- Beaufort
- Bluffton
- Hilton Head
- Hardeeville
- Ridgeland
- Yemassee
- Okatie
- Port Royal
And surrounding areas in Beaufort and Jasper Counties
Contact a DUI Drugs Defense Attorney Today
If you've been charged with driving under the influence of drugs in South Carolina, don’t wait. Call 843-986-9449 or email us to speak with an experienced Beaufort DUI drug defense attorney who will fight for your rights and work toward the best possible outcome.
If you’ve been charged with DUI drugs in South Carolina, you need a defense attorney who understands the complexities of these cases. At the Law Office of Christopher J. Geier, we defend clients accused of driving under the influence of drugs (DUID) throughout Beaufort, Bluffton, Hilton Head, Hardeeville, Ridgeland, Yemassee, Okatie, Port Royal and across the Lowcountry.
DUI Drug Charges Are Different from Alcohol DUIs
Under South Carolina law, it’s illegal to drive while impaired by alcohol, drugs, or a combination of both. But DUI drug cases differ significantly from standard DUI alcohol cases.
No Legal Limit: There’s no specific legal limit for drugs in your system. Unlike alcohol DUIs, there is no “.08” standard.
No Breath Test Evidence: These cases often rely heavily on the observations and testimony of law enforcement officers, including Drug Recognition Experts (DREs).
Prescription Medications Count: You can be charged with a DUI even if you were taking lawfully prescribed medication.
Drug Metabolites Linger: Many substances remain detectable in your system for days - even if you are no longer impaired.
This makes DUI drug charges more subjective and difficult to prove, but also more difficult to defend without an experienced South Carolina DUI lawyer.
Put a Former Prosecutor on Your Side
Attorney Christopher J. Geier is a former prosecutor with extensive experience handling DUI cases involving both alcohol and drugs. He understands what the state needs to prove to get a conviction—and how to attack weak evidence in court.
Mr. Geier:
- Knows how prosecutors build DUI drug cases
- Understands the weight of officer testimony and toxicology reports
- Attends continuing legal education focused on DUI drug defense strategies
- Works directly with clients to build strong, customized defenses
Whether it’s questioning the validity of a traffic stop, the officer’s observations, or the reliability of drug testing, we leave no stone unturned in protecting your rights.
Call 843-986-9449 for a Strong DUI Defense
At the Law Office of Christopher J. Geier, we fight aggressively for clients facing DUI charges involving drugs - whether it’s marijuana, prescription drugs, or other controlled substances. Our goal is always to get the charge dismissed, reduced, or resolved in a way that minimizes long-term consequences.
Serving Clients Throughout the South Carolina Lowcountry
We represent clients in:
- Beaufort
- Bluffton
- Hilton Head
- Hardeeville
- Ridgeland
- Yemassee
- Okatie
- Port Royal
And surrounding areas in Beaufort and Jasper Counties
Contact a DUI Drugs Defense Attorney Today
If you've been charged with driving under the influence of drugs in South Carolina, don’t wait. Call 843-986-9449 or email us to speak with an experienced Beaufort DUI drug defense attorney who will fight for your rights and work toward the best possible outcome.
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 and install an Interlock device on your car 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.
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 and install an Interlock device on your car 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 in Southeastern 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 the Town of Bluffton Police, the South Carolina Highway Patrol 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.
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 the Town of Bluffton Police, the South Carolina Highway Patrol 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.
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.