HORRY COUNTY, SC (WMBF)- Horry County has taken care of about 500 DUI cases that were issued before 2011, and now 94 are left and expected to be done at the end of July. Solicitor Greg Hembree says during April, May and June of this year, the court focused on these cases.
The judge also cracked down on what they call continuance, when attorneys try to postpone a case. They also came up with a sentencing structure. If someone pled guilty early, they usually got a minimum sentence. If they ended up going to trial and were convicted, the county usually sought jail time. The whole point was trying to build incentives for drivers to take responsibility for their behavior.
Hembree did admit some folks may have gotten a break because of the high volume of court cases. But there are serious consequences to this crime for someone who agrees or refuses a datamaster test.
If someone blows above a 0.08%, they could face time behind bars, thousands of dollars in fines, losing a license, attorney fees and high risk insurance.
Hembree says, "It can affect your ability to get a job-the consequences sort of cascade down from a conviction. If you seriously hurt or kill someone you go to prison for 25 years no parole and your life can be changed in what started out as a fun night with friends."
He says there are three main reasons for Horry County's high number of DUI cases. A lot of people drive here so their vehicles are easily accessible after drinking. Second, vacationers get in a carefree mentality without responsibility. And thirdly, a high number of law enforcement officers patrol the streets to keep drunk drivers off the road.
If an officer leaves out a step during the arrest, the case may not be prosecuted as a DUI. The County may drop it down to a reckless driving charge. The number of DUI cases compared to dropped down charges was not released.
Defense Attorney Scott Bellamy says he has seen about 30-40 cases within the past three months. "It's a crime that cuts across economic lines, social lines that you find and it is a problem but typically it's people working jobs and supporting families that has a tremendous impact, not to say that we shouldn't arrest people but it is a tremendous impact on people."
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