South Carolina Code Section 56-5-2930

South Carolina Code Section 56-5-2930

SECTION 56-5-2930. Operating motor vehicle while under influence of alcohol or drugs; penalties; enrollment in Alcohol and Drug Safety Action Program; prosecution.

(A) It is unlawful for a person to drive a motor vehicle within this State while under the influence of alcohol to the extent that the person’s faculties to drive a motor vehicle are materially and appreciably impaired, under the influence of any other drug or a combination of other drugs or substances which cause impairment to the extent that the person’s faculties to drive a motor vehicle are materially and appreciably impaired, or under the combined influence of alcohol and any other drug or drugs or substances which cause impairment to the extent that the person’s faculties to drive a motor vehicle are materially and appreciably impaired. A person who violates the provisions of this section is guilty of the offense of driving under the influence and, upon conviction, entry of a plea of guilty or of nolo contendere, or forfeiture of bail must be punished as follows:

(1) for a first offense, by a fine of four hundred dollars or imprisonment for not less than forty-eight hours nor more than thirty days. However, in lieu of the forty-eight hour minimum imprisonment, the court may provide for forty-eight hours of public service employment. The minimum forty-eight hour imprisonment or public service employment must be served at a time when the person is not working and does not interfere with his regular employment under terms and conditions the court considers proper. However, the court may not compel an offender to perform public service employment in lieu of the minimum forty-eight hour sentence. If the person’s alcohol concentration is at least ten one-hundredths of one percent but less than sixteen one-hundredths of one percent, then the person must be punished by a fine of five hundred dollars or imprisonment for not less than seventy-two hours nor more than thirty days. However, in lieu of the seventy-two hour minimum imprisonment, the court may provide for seventy-two hours of public service employment. The minimum seventy-two hour imprisonment or public service employment must be served at a time when the person is not working and does not interfere with his regular employment under terms and conditions as the court considers proper. However, the court may not compel an offender to perform public service employment in lieu of the minimum sentence. If the person’s alcohol concentration is sixteen one-hundredths of one percent or more, then the person must be punished by a fine of one thousand dollars or imprisonment for not less than thirty days nor more than ninety days. However, in lieu of the thirty-day minimum imprisonment, the court may provide for thirty days of public service employment. The minimum thirty days imprisonment or public service employment must be served at a time when the person is not working and does not interfere with his regular employment under terms and conditions as the court considers proper. However, the court may not compel an offender to perform public service employment instead of the thirty-day minimum sentence. Notwithstanding the provisions of Sections 22-3-540, 22-3-545, and 22-3-550, a first offense charged for this item may be tried in magistrates court;

(2) for a second offense, by a fine of not less than two thousand one hundred dollars nor more than five thousand one hundred dollars, and imprisonment for not less than five days nor more than one year. However, the fine imposed by this item must not be suspended in an amount less than one thousand one hundred dollars. If the person’s alcohol concentration is at least ten one-hundredths of one percent but less than sixteen one-hundredths of one percent, then the person must be punished by a fine of not less than two thousand five hundred dollars nor more than five thousand five hundred dollars and imprisonment for not less than thirty days nor more than two years. However, the fine imposed by this item must not be suspended in an amount less than one thousand one hundred dollars. If the person’s alcohol concentration is sixteen one-hundredths of one percent or more, then the person must be punished by a fine of not less than three thousand five hundred dollars nor more than six thousand five hundred dollars and imprisonment for not less than ninety days nor more than three years. However, the fine imposed by this item must not be suspended in an amount less than one thousand one hundred dollars;

(3) for a third offense, by a fine of not less than three thousand eight hundred dollars nor more than six thousand three hundred dollars, and imprisonment for not less than sixty days nor more than three years. If the person’s alcohol concentration is at least ten one-hundredths of one percent but less than sixteen one-hundredths of one percent, then the person must be punished by a fine of not less than five thousand dollars nor more than seven thousand five hundred dollars and imprisonment for not less than ninety days nor more than four years. If the person’s alcohol concentration is sixteen one-hundredths of one percent or more, then the person must be punished by a fine of not less than seven thousand five hundred dollars nor more than ten thousand dollars and imprisonment for not less than six months nor more than five years; or

(4) for a fourth or subsequent offense, by imprisonment for not less than one year nor more than five years. If the person’s alcohol concentration is at least ten one-hundredths of one percent but less than sixteen one-hundredths of one percent, then the person must be punished by imprisonment for not less than two years nor more than six years. If the person’s alcohol concentration is sixteen one-hundredths of one percent or more, then the person must be punished by imprisonment for not less than three years nor more than seven years.

(B) No part of the minimum sentences provided in this section may be suspended. Instead of public service employment the court may invoke another sentence provided in this section. For a second or subsequent offense of this section, the service of the minimum sentence is mandatory. However, the judge may provide for the sentence to be served upon terms and conditions as he considers proper including, but not limited to, weekend service or nighttime service in any fashion he considers necessary.

(C) The fine for a first offense must not be suspended. The court is prohibited from suspending a monetary fine below that of the next preceding minimum monetary fine.

(D) For the purposes of this section, a conviction, entry of a plea of guilty or of nolo contendere, or forfeiture of bail for the violation of a law or ordinance of this or another state or a municipality of this or another state that prohibits a person from driving a motor vehicle while under the influence of intoxicating liquor, drugs, or narcotics, including, but not limited to, this section, or prohibits a person from driving a motor vehicle with an unlawful alcohol concentration, including, but not limited to, Section 56-5-2933, constitutes a prior offense of this section. Only those violations which occurred within a period of ten years including and immediately preceding the date of the last violation constitute prior violations within the meaning of this section.

(E) Upon imposition of a sentence of public service, the defendant may apply to the court to be allowed to perform his public service in his county of residence if he has been sentenced to public service in a county where he does not reside.

(F) One hundred dollars of each fine imposed pursuant to this section must be placed by the Comptroller General into a special restricted account to be used by the Department of Public Safety for the Highway Patrol.

(G) Two hundred dollars of the fine imposed pursuant to subsection (A)(3) must be placed by the Comptroller General into a special restricted account to be used by the State Law Enforcement Division to offset the costs of administration of the breath testing devices, breath testing site video program, and toxicology laboratory.

(H) A person convicted of violating this section, whether for a first offense or subsequent offense, must enroll in and successfully complete an Alcohol and Drug Safety Action Program certified by the Department of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Services. An assessment of the extent and nature of the alcohol and drug abuse problem of the applicant must be prepared and a plan of education or treatment, or both, must be developed for the applicant. The Alcohol and Drug Safety Action Program shall determine if the applicant successfully has completed the services. The applicant must attend the first Alcohol and Drug Safety Action Program available after the date of enrollment. The Department of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Services shall determine the cost of services provided by each certified Alcohol and Drug Safety Action Program. Each applicant shall bear the cost of services recommended in the applicant’s plan of education or treatment. The cost may not exceed five hundred dollars for education services, two thousand dollars for treatment services, and two thousand five hundred dollars in total for all services. An applicant may not be denied services due to an inability to pay. Inability to pay for services may not be used as a factor in determining if the applicant has successfully completed services. An applicant who is unable to pay for services shall perform fifty hours of community service as arranged by the Alcohol and Drug Safety Action Program, which may use the completion of this community service as a factor in determining if the applicant successfully has completed services. The court must be notified whether an offender failed to enroll in a certified program within thirty days or failed to participate in the plan of education or treatment. The court may hold the individual in contempt of court if the individual cannot show cause as to why no enrollment occurred within the mandated thirty days or why no progress has been made on the plan of education or treatment.

(I) A person charged for a violation of this section may be prosecuted pursuant to Section 56-5-2933 if the original testing of the person’s breath or collection of other bodily fluids was performed within two hours of the time of arrest and reasonable suspicion existed to justify the traffic stop. A person may not be prosecuted for both a violation of this section and a violation of Section 56-5-2933 for the same incident. A person who violates the provisions of this section is entitled to a jury trial and is afforded the right to challenge certain factors including the following:

(1) whether or not the person was lawfully arrested or detained;

(2) the period of time between arrest and testing;

(3) whether or not the person was given a written copy of and verbally informed of the rights enumerated in Section 56-5-2950;

(4) whether the person consented to taking a test pursuant to Section 56-5-2950, and whether the:

(a) reported alcohol concentration at the time of testing was eight one-hundredths of one percent or more;

(b) individual who administered the test or took samples was qualified pursuant to Section 56-5-2950;

(c) tests administered and samples obtained were conducted pursuant to Section 56-5-2950 and regulations adopted pursuant to Section 56-5-2951(O) and Section 56-5-2953(F); and

(d) machine was working properly.

(J) Nothing contained in this section prohibits the introduction of:

(1) the results of any additional tests of the person’s breath or other bodily fluids;

(2) any evidence that may corroborate or question the validity of the breath or bodily fluid test result including, but not limited to:

(a) evidence of field sobriety tests;

(b) evidence of the amount of alcohol consumed by the person; and

(3) a video recording of the person’s conduct at the incident site and breath testing site taken pursuant to Section 56-5-2953 which is subject to redaction under the South Carolina Rules of Evidence; or

(4) any other evidence of the state of a person’s faculties to drive a motor vehicle which would call into question the results of a breath or bodily fluid test.

At trial, a person charged with a violation of this section is allowed to present evidence relating to the factors enumerated above and the totality of the evidence produced at trial may be used by the jury to determine guilt or innocence. A person charged with a violation of this section must be given notice of intent to prosecute under the provisions of this section at least thirty calendar days before his trial date.

(K) For the purpose of this section, any offense carrying a penalty of imprisonment of ninety days or less may be tried in magistrates court.

(L) In cases in which enhanced penalties for higher levels of alcohol concentration may be applicable, upon the determination of guilt, the finder of fact shall determine the alcohol concentration and the judge shall apply the appropriate penalty. In cases involving jury trials, upon the return of a guilty verdict by the jury, the judge shall instruct the jury to make a finding of fact as to the following: “We the jury find the alcohol concentration of the defendant to be (1) at least eight one-hundredths of one percent but less than ten one-hundredths of one percent; (2) at least ten one-hundredths of one percent but less than sixteen one-hundredths of one percent; or (3) sixteen one hundredths of one percent or more.” Based on the jury’s finding of fact, the judge shall apply the appropriate penalty. If the jury cannot reach a unanimous verdict as to the finding of fact, then the judge shall sentence the defendant based on the nonenhanced penalties.

HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 46-343; 1952 Code Section 46-343; 1949 (46) 466; 1954 (48) 1782; 1987 Act No. 179 Section 1; 1998 Act No. 434, Section 4; 2000 Act No. 390, Section 7; 2008 Act No. 201, Section 4, eff February 10, 2009.

Effect of Amendment

The 2008 amendment rewrote this section, adding the provisions relating to penalties and prosecution.

SECTION 56-5-2933. Driving with an unlawful alcohol concentration; penalties; enrollment in Alcohol and Drug Safety Action Program; prosecution.

(A) It is unlawful for a person to drive a motor vehicle within this State while his alcohol concentration is eight one-hundredths of one percent or more. A person who violates the provisions of this section is guilty of the offense of driving with an unlawful alcohol concentration and, upon conviction, entry of a plea of guilty or of nolo contendere, or forfeiture of bail must be punished as follows:

(C) The fine for a first offense must not be suspended. The court is prohibited from suspending a monetary fine below that of the next preceding minimum monetary fine.

(D) For the purposes of this chapter a conviction, entry of a plea of guilty or of nolo contendere, or forfeiture of bail for the violation of a law or ordinance of this or another state or a municipality of this or another state that prohibits a person from driving a motor vehicle while under the influence of intoxicating liquor, drugs, or narcotics, including, but not limited to, Section 56-5-2930, or prohibits a person from driving a motor vehicle with an unlawful alcohol concentration, including, but not limited to, this section, constitutes a prior offense of this section. Only those violations which occurred within a period of ten years including and immediately preceding the date of the last violation constitute prior violations within the meaning of this section.

(G) Two hundred dollars of the fine imposed pursuant to subsections (A)(3) must be placed by the Comptroller General into a special restricted account to be used by the State Law Enforcement Division to offset the costs of administration of the breath testing devices, breath testing site video program, and toxicology laboratory.

(H) A person convicted of violating this section, whether for a first offense or subsequent offense, must enroll in and successfully complete an Alcohol and Drug Safety Action Program certified by the Department of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Services. An assessment of the extent and nature of the alcohol and drug abuse problem of the applicant must be prepared and a plan of education or treatment, or both, must be developed for the applicant. The Alcohol and Drug Safety Action Program shall determine if the applicant successfully has completed the services. The applicant must attend the first Alcohol and Drug Safety Action Program available after the date of enrollment. The Department of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Services shall determine the cost of services provided by each certified Alcohol and Drug Safety Action Program. Each applicant shall bear the cost of services recommended in the applicant’s plan of education or treatment. The cost may not exceed five hundred dollars for education services, two thousand dollars for treatment services, and two thousand five hundred dollars in total for all services. An applicant may not be denied services due to an inability to pay. Inability to pay for services may not be used as a factor in determining if the applicant successfully has completed services. An applicant who is unable to pay for services shall perform fifty hours of community service as arranged by the Alcohol and Drug Safety Action Program, which may use the completion of this community service as a factor in determining if the applicant successfully has completed services. The court must be notified whether an offender failed to enroll in a certified program within thirty days or failed to participate in the plan of education or treatment. The court may hold the individual in contempt of court if the individual cannot show cause as to why no enrollment occurred within the mandated thirty days or why no progress has been made on the plan of education or treatment.

(I) A person charged for a violation of Section 56-5-2930 may be prosecuted pursuant to this section if the original testing of the person’s breath or collection of other bodily fluids was performed within two hours of the time of arrest and reasonable suspicion existed to justify the traffic stop. A person may not be prosecuted for both a violation of Section 56-5-2930 and a violation of this section for the same incident. A person who violates the provisions of this section is entitled to a jury trial and is afforded the right to challenge certain factors including the following:

(1) whether or not the person was lawfully arrested or detained;

(2) the period of time between arrest and testing;

(3) whether or not the person was given a written copy of and verbally informed of the rights enumerated in Section 56-5-2950;

(4) whether the person consented to taking a test pursuant to Section 56-5-2950, and whether the:

(a) reported alcohol concentration at the time of testing was eight one-hundredths of one percent or more;

(b) individual who administered the test or took samples was qualified pursuant to Section 56-5-2950;

(c) tests administered and samples obtained were conducted pursuant to Section 56-5-2950 and regulations adopted pursuant to Section 56-5-2951(O) and Section 56-5-2953(F); and

(d) machine was working properly.

(J) Nothing contained in this section prohibits the introduction of:

(1) the results of any additional tests of the person’s breath or other bodily fluids;

(2) any evidence that may corroborate or question the validity of the breath or bodily fluid test result including, but not limited to:

(a) evidence of field sobriety tests;

(b) evidence of the amount of alcohol consumed by the person; and

(4) any other evidence of the state of a person’s faculties to drive which would call into question the results of a breath or bodily fluid test.

(K) For the purpose of this section, any offense carrying a penalty of imprisonment of ninety days or less may be tried in magistrates court.

HISTORY: 2000 Act No. 390; 2003 Act No. 61, Section 5; 2008 Act No. 201, Section 5, eff February 10, 2009.

Effect of Amendment

The 2008 amendment rewrote this section, adding the provisions relating to penalties and prosecution.

SECTION 56-5-2934. Compulsory process to obtain witnesses and documents; breath testing software.

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a person charged with a violation of Section 56-5-2930, 56-5-2933, or 56-5-2945 who is being tried in any court of competent jurisdiction in this State has the right to compulsory process for obtaining witnesses, documents, or both, including, but not limited to, state employees charged with the maintenance of breath testing devices in this State and the administration of breath testing pursuant to this article. This process may be issued under the official signature of the magistrate, judge, clerk, or other officer of the court of competent jurisdiction. The term “documents” includes, but is not limited to, a copy of the computer software program of breath testing devices. SLED must produce all breath testing software in a manner that complies with any and all licensing agreements. This section does not limit a person’s ability to obtain breath testing software directly from the manufacturer or distributor.

HISTORY: 2000 Act No. 390, Section 9; 2003 Act No. 61, Section 15; 2008 Act No. 201, Section 6, eff February 10, 2009.

Effect of Amendment

The 2008 amendment, in the first undesignated paragraph, substituted the fourth and fifth sentences relating to breath testing software for the fourth sentence relating to attendance of employees responsible for maintaining breath testing devices at administrative hearings; and deleted the second undesignated paragraph requiring the arresting officer to give notice of hearings to defendants refusing a breath test and provide them with the appropriate form to request such hearings.

SECTION 56-5-2935. Right to jury trial.

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a person charged with a violation of Section 56-5-2930, 56-5-2933, or 56-5-2945 who is being tried in any court of competent jurisdiction in this State must have the right of trial by jury. A person charged with one or more of these offenses shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial by an impartial jury, to be fully informed of the nature and cause of the accusation, to be confronted with the witnesses against him, to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses, documents, or both, and the right to be fully heard in his defense by himself or by his counsel or, by both.

HISTORY: 2000 Act No. 390, Section 10.

SECTION 56-5-2936. Implementation of compulsory testimony requirement postponed; training of employees.

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the State Law Enforcement Division is not required to implement the provisions of Section 56-5-2934 as contained in Section 9 of Act 390 of 2000 pertaining to the compulsory process for obtaining witnesses including, but not limited to, state employees charged with the maintenance of breath testing devices in this State and the administration of breath testing pursuant to Chapter 5 of Title 56 of the 1976 Code, until the time the General Assembly is adequately able to fund the program or by December 31, 2002, whichever first occurs. Provided, however, by December 31, 2002, the State Law Enforcement Division must have at least three state employees trained and prepared for the purpose of appearing in court and testifying on the maintenance of breath testing devices and the administration of breath testing pursuant to Chapter 5, Title 56 of the 1976 Code.

HISTORY: 2002 Act No. 165, Section 1.

SECTION 56-5-2940. Repealed by 2008 Act No. 201, Section 21, eff February 10, 2009.

Editor’s Note

Former Section 56-5-2940 was entitled “Penalty for violating Sections 56-5-2930 and 56-5-2933; subsequent violations; fines placed in special restricted accounts” and was derived from 1962 Code Section 46-345; 1952 Code Section 46-345; 1949 (46) 466; 1956 (49) 1688; 1958 (50) 1663; 1981 Act No. 76, Section 10; 1983 Act No. 114 Section 1; 1988 Act No 532, Section 9; 1990 Act No. 612, Part II, Section 33; 1992 Act No. 453, Section 14; 1994 Act No. 497, Part II, Section 36S; 1998 Act No. 434, Section 5; 2000 Act No. 390; 2003 Act No. 61, Sections 12, 16.

SECTION 56-5-2941. Ignition interlock device.

(A) The Department of Motor Vehicles shall require a person who is a resident of this State and who is convicted of violating the provisions of Section 56-5-2930, 56-5-2933, 56-5-2945, 56-5-2947 except if the conviction was for Section 56-5-750, or a law of another state that prohibits a person from driving a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or other drugs, to have installed on any motor vehicle the person drives an ignition interlock device designed to prevent driving of the motor vehicle if the person has consumed alcoholic beverages. This section does not apply to a person convicted of a first offense violation of Section 56-5-2930 or 56-5-2933, unless the person submitted to a breath test pursuant to Section 56-5-2950 and had an alcohol concentration of fifteen one-hundredths of one percent or more. The department may waive the requirements of this section if the department determines that the person has a medical condition that makes the person incapable of properly operating the installed device. If the department grants a medical waiver, the department shall suspend the person’s driver’s license for the length of time that the person would have been required to hold an ignition interlock restricted license. The department may withdraw the waiver at any time that the department becomes aware that the person’s medical condition has improved to the extent that the person has become capable of properly operating an installed device. The department also shall require a person who has enrolled in the Ignition Interlock Device Program in lieu of the remainder of a driver’s license suspension or denial of the issuance of a driver’s license or permit to have an ignition interlock device installed on any motor vehicle the person drives.

The length of time that a device is required to be affixed to a motor vehicle as set forth in Sections 56-1-286, 56-5-2945, 56-5-2947 except if the conviction was for Sections 56-5-750, 56-5-2951, and 56-5-2990.

(B) Notwithstanding the pleadings, for purposes of a second or a subsequent offense, the specified length of time that a device is required to be affixed to a motor vehicle is based on the Department of Motor Vehicle’s records for offenses pursuant to Section 56-1-286, 56-5-2930, 56-5-2933, 56-5-2945, 56-5-2947 except if the conviction was for Section 56-5-750, 56-5-2950, or 56-5-2951.

(C) If a resident of this State is convicted of violating a law of another state that prohibits a person from driving a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or other drugs, and, as a result of the conviction, the person is subject to an ignition interlock device requirement in the other state, the person is subject to the requirements of this section for the length of time that would have been required for an offense committed in South Carolina, or for the length of time that is required by the other state, whichever is longer.

(D) If a person from another state becomes a resident of South Carolina while subject to an ignition interlock device requirement in another state, the person only may obtain a South Carolina driver’s license if the person enrolls in the South Carolina Ignition Interlock Device Program pursuant to this section. The person is subject to the requirements of this section for the length of time that would have been required for an offense committed in South Carolina, or for the length of time that is required by the other state, whichever is longer.

(E) The person must be subject to an Ignition Interlock Device Point System managed by the Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services. A person accumulating a total of:

(1) two points or more, but less than three points, must have the length of time that the device is required extended by two months;

(2) three points or more, but less than four points, must have the length of time that the device is required extended by four months, shall submit to a substance abuse assessment pursuant to Section 56-5-2990, and shall successfully complete the plan of education and treatment, or both, as recommended by the certified substance abuse program. Should the person not complete the recommended plan, or not make progress toward completing the plan, the Department of Motor Vehicles shall suspend the person’s ignition interlock restricted license until the plan is completed or progress is being made toward completing the plan;

(3) four points or more must have the person’s ignition interlock restricted license suspended for a period of six months, shall submit to a substance abuse assessment pursuant to Section 56-5-2990, and successfully shall complete the plan of education and treatment, or both, as recommended by the certified substance abuse program. Should the person not complete the recommended plan or not make progress toward completing the plan, the Department of Motor Vehicles shall leave the person’s ignition interlock restricted license in suspended status, or, if the license has already been reinstated following the six-month suspension, shall resuspend the person’s ignition interlock restricted license until the plan is completed or progress is being made toward completing the plan. The Department of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Services is responsible for notifying the Department of Motor Vehicles of a person’s completion and compliance with education and treatment programs. Upon reinstatement of driving privileges following the six-month suspension, the Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services shall reset the person’s point total to zero points, and the person shall complete the remaining period of time on the ignition interlock device.

(F) The cost of the device must be borne by the person. However, if the person is indigent and cannot afford the cost of the device, the person may submit an affidavit of indigency to the Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services for a determination of indigency as it pertains to the cost of the device. The affidavit of indigency form must be made publicly accessible on the Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services’ Internet website. If the Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services determines that the person is indigent as it pertains to the device, the Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services may authorize a device to be affixed to the motor vehicle and the cost of the initial installation and standard use of the device to be paid for by the Ignition Interlock Device Fund managed by the Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services. Funds remitted to the Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services for the Ignition Interlock Device Fund also may be used by the Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services to support the Ignition Interlock Device Program. For purposes of this section, a person is indigent if the person is financially unable to afford the cost of the ignition interlock device. In making a determination whether a person is indigent, all factors concerning the person’s financial conditions should be considered including, but not limited to, income, debts, assets, number of dependents claimed for tax purposes, living expenses, and family situation. A presumption that the person is indigent is created if the person’s net family income is less than or equal to the poverty guidelines established and revised annually by the United States Department of Health and Human Services published in the Federal Register. “Net income” means gross income minus deductions required by law. The determination of indigency is subject to periodic review at the discretion of the Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services.

(G) The ignition interlock service provider shall collect and remit monthly to the Ignition Interlock Device Fund a fee as determined by the Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services not to exceed thirty dollars per month for each month the person is required to drive a vehicle with a device. A service provider who fails to properly remit funds to the Ignition Interlock Device Fund may be decertified as a service provider by the Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services. If a service provider is decertified for failing to remit funds to the Ignition Interlock Device Fund, the cost for removal and replacement of a device must be borne by the service provider.

(H)(1) The person shall have the device inspected every sixty days to verify that the device is affixed to the motor vehicle and properly operating, and to allow for the preparation of an ignition interlock device inspection report by the service provider indicating the person’s alcohol content at each attempt to start and running retest during each sixty-day period. Failure of the person to have the interlock device inspected every sixty days must result in one ignition interlock device point.

(2) Only a service provider authorized by the Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services to perform inspections on ignition interlock devices may conduct inspections. The service provider immediately shall report devices that fail inspection to the Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services. The report must contain the person’s name, identify the vehicle upon which the failed device is installed, and the reason for the failed inspection.

(3) If the inspection report reflects that the person has failed to complete a running retest, the person must be assessed one ignition interlock device point.

(4) If any inspection report or any photographic images collected by the device shows that the person has violated subsection (M), (O), or (P), the person must be assessed one and one-half ignition interlock device points.

(5) The inspection report must indicate the person’s alcohol content at each attempt to start and running retest during each sixty-day period. If the report reflects that the person violated a running retest by having an alcohol concentration of:

(a) two one-hundredths of one percent or more but less than four one-hundredths of one percent, the person must be assessed one-half ignition interlock device point;

(b) four one-hundredths of one percent or more but less than fifteen one-hundredths of one percent, the person must be assessed one ignition interlock device point; or

(6) A person may appeal less than four ignition interlock device points received to an administrative hearing officer with the Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services through a process established by the Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services. The administrative hearing officer’s decision on appeal is final and no appeal from such decision is allowed.

(I)(1) If a person’s license is suspended due to the accumulation of four or more ignition interlock device points, the Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services must provide a notice of assessment of ignition interlock points which must advise the person of his right to request a contested case hearing before the Office of Motor Vehicle Hearings. The notice of assessment of ignition interlock points also must advise the person that, if he does not request a contested case hearing within thirty days of the issuance of the notice of assessment of ignition interlock points, he waives his right to the administrative hearing and the person’s driver’s license is suspended pursuant to subsection (E).

(2) The person may seek relief from the Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services’ determination that a person’s license is suspended due to the accumulation of four or more ignition interlock device points by filing a request for a contested case hearing with the Office of Motor Vehicle Hearings pursuant to the Administrative Procedures Act. The filing of the request for a contested case hearing will stay the driver’s license suspension pending the outcome of the hearing. However, the filing of the request for a contested case hearing will not stay the requirements of the person having the ignition interlock device.

(3) At the contested case hearing:

(a) the assessment of driver’s license suspension can be upheld;

(b) the driver’s license suspension can be overturned, or any or all of the contested ignition interlock points included in the device inspection report that results in the contested suspension can be overturned, and the penalties as specified pursuant to subsection (E) will then be imposed accordingly.

(4) A contested case hearing must be held after the request for the hearing is received by the Office of Motor Vehicle Hearings. Nothing in this section prohibits the introduction of evidence at the contested case hearing on the issue of the accuracy of the ignition interlock device. However, if the ignition interlock device is found to not be in working order due to failure of regular maintenance and upkeep by the person challenging the accumulation of ignition interlock points pursuant to the requirement of the ignition interlock program, such allegation cannot serve as a basis to overturn point accumulations.

(5) A written order must be issued by the Office of Motor Vehicle Hearings to all parties either reversing or upholding the assessment of ignition interlock points.

(6) A contested case hearing is governed by the Administrative Procedures Act, and a person has a right to appeal the decision of the hearing officer pursuant to that act to the Administrative Law Court in accordance with its appellate rules. The filing of an appeal does not stay the ignition interlock requirement.

(J) Five years from the date of the person’s driver’s license reinstatement and every five years thereafter, a fourth or subsequent offender whose license has been reinstated pursuant to Section 56-1-385 may apply to the Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services for removal of the ignition interlock device and the removal of the restriction from the person’s driver’s license. The Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services may, for good cause shown, notify the Department of Motor Vehicles that the person is eligible to have the restriction removed from the person’s license.

(K)(1) Except as otherwise provided in this section, it is unlawful for a person who is subject to the provisions of this section to drive a motor vehicle that is not equipped with a properly operating, certified ignition interlock device. A person who violates this subsection:

(a) for a first offense, is guilty of a misdemeanor, and, upon conviction, must be fined not less than one thousand dollars or imprisoned not more than one year. The person must have the length of time that the ignition interlock device is required extended by six months;

(b) for a second offense, is guilty of a misdemeanor, and, upon conviction, must be fined not less than five thousand dollars or imprisoned not more than three years. The person must have the length of time that the ignition interlock device is required extended by one year; and

(c) for a third or subsequent offense, is guilty of a felony, and, upon conviction, must be fined not less than ten thousand dollars or imprisoned not more than ten years. The person must have the length of time that the ignition interlock device is required extended by three years.

(2) No portion of the minimum sentence imposed pursuant to this subsection may be suspended.

(3) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a first or second offense punishable pursuant to this subsection may be tried in summary court.

(L)(1) A person who is required in the course and scope of the person’s employment to drive a motor vehicle owned by the person’s employer may drive the employer’s motor vehicle without installation of an ignition interlock device, provided that the person’s use of the employer’s motor vehicle is solely for the employer’s business purposes.

(2) This subsection does not apply to:

(a) a person convicted of a second or subsequent violation of Section 56-5-2930, 56-5-2933, 56-5-2945, or a law of another state that prohibits a person from driving a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or other drugs, unless the person’s driving privileges have been suspended for not less than one year or the person has had an ignition interlock device installed for not less than one year on each of the motor vehicles owned or operated, or both, by the person.

(b) a person who is self employed or to a person who is employed by a business owned in whole or in part by the person or a member of the person’s household or immediate family unless during the defense of a criminal charge, the court finds that the vehicle’s ownership by the business serves a legitimate business purpose and that titling and registration of the vehicle by the business was not done to circumvent the intent of this section.

(3) Whenever the person operates the employer’s vehicle pursuant to this subsection, the person shall have with the person a copy of the Department of Motor Vehicles’ form specified by Section 56-1-400(B).

(4) This subsection will be construed in parallel with the requirements of Section 56-1-400(B). A waiver issued pursuant to this subsection will be subject to the same review and revocation as described in Section 56-1-400(B).

(M) It is unlawful for a person to tamper with or disable, or attempt to tamper with or disable, an ignition interlock device installed on a motor vehicle pursuant to this section. Obstructing or obscuring the camera lens of an ignition interlock device constitutes tampering. A person who violates this subsection is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not more than five hundred dollars or imprisoned not more than thirty days, or both.

(N) It is unlawful for a person to knowingly rent, lease, or otherwise provide a person who is subject to this section with a motor vehicle without a properly operating, certified ignition interlock device. This subsection does not apply if the person began the lease contract period for the motor vehicle prior to the person’s arrest for a first offense violation of Section 56-5-2930 or 56-5-2933. A person who violates this subsection is guilty of a misdemeanor, and, upon conviction, must be fined not more than five hundred dollars or imprisoned not more than thirty days, or both.

(O) It is unlawful for a person who is subject to the provisions of this section to solicit or request another person, or for a person to solicit or request another person on behalf of a person who is subject to the provisions of this section, to engage an ignition interlock device to start a motor vehicle with a device installed pursuant to this section or to conduct a running retest while the vehicle is in operation. A person who violates this subsection is guilty of a misdemeanor, and, upon conviction, must be fined not more than five hundred dollars or imprisoned not more than thirty days, or both.

(P) It is unlawful for another person on behalf of a person subject to the provisions of this section to engage an ignition interlock device to start a motor vehicle with a device installed pursuant to this section or to conduct a running retest while that vehicle is in operation. A person who violates this subsection is guilty of a misdemeanor, and, upon conviction, must be fined not more than five hundred dollars or imprisoned not more than thirty days, or both.

(Q) Only ignition interlock devices certified by the Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services may be used to fulfill the requirements of this section.

(1) The Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services shall certify whether a device meets the accuracy requirements and specifications provided in guidelines or regulations adopted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, as amended from time to time. All devices certified to be used in South Carolina must be set to prohibit the starting of a motor vehicle when an alcohol concentration of two one-hundredths of one percent or more is measured and all running retests must record violations of an alcohol concentration of two one-hundredths of one percent or more, and must capture a photographic image of the driver as the driver is operating the ignition interlock device. The photographic images recorded by the ignition interlock device may be used by the Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services to aid in the Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services’ management of the Ignition Interlock Device Program; however, neither the Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services, the Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services’ employees, nor any other political subdivision of this State may be held liable for any injury caused by a driver or other person who operates a motor vehicle after the use or attempted use of an ignition interlock device.

(2) The Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services shall maintain a current list of certified ignition interlock devices and manufacturers. The list must be updated at least quarterly. If a particular certified device fails to continue to meet federal requirements, the device must be decertified, may not be used until it is compliant with federal requirements, and must be replaced with a device that meets federal requirements. The cost for removal and replacement must be borne by the manufacturer of the noncertified device.

(3) Only ignition interlock installers certified by the Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services may install and service ignition interlock devices required pursuant to this section. The Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services shall maintain a current list of vendors that are certified to install the devices.

(R) In addition to availability under the Freedom of Information Act, any Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services policy concerning ignition interlock devices must be made publicly accessible on the Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services’ Internet website. Information obtained by the Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services and ignition interlock service providers regarding a person’s participation in the Ignition Interlock Device Program is to be used for internal purposes only and is not subject to the Freedom of Information Act. A person participating in the Ignition Interlock Device Program or the person’s family member may request that the Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services provide the person or family member with information obtained by the department and ignition interlock service providers. The Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services may release the information to the person or family member at the department’s discretion. The Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services and ignition interlock service providers must purge all photographic images collected by the device no later than twelve months from the date of the person’s completion of the Ignition Interlock Device Program. The Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services may retain the images past twelve months if there are any pending appeals or contested case hearings involved with that person, and at their conclusion must purge the images. The Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services and ignition interlock service providers must purge all personal information regarding a person’s participation in the Ignition Interlock Device Program no later than twelve months from the date of the person’s completion of the Ignition Interlock Device Program except for that information which is relevant for pending legal matters.

(S) The Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services shall develop policies including, but not limited to, the certification, use, maintenance, and operation of ignition interlock devices and the Ignition Interlock Device Fund.

(T) This section shall apply retroactively to any person currently serving a suspension or denial of the issuance of a license or permit due to a suspension listed in subsection (A).

HISTORY: 2000 Act No. 390, Section 12; 2007 Act No. 103, Section 23.A, eff January 1, 2008; 2008 Act No. 285, Section 1, eff January 1, 2009; 2014 Act No. 158 (S.137), Section 9, eff October 1, 2014; 2015 Act No. 34 (S.590), Section 3, eff June 1, 2015.

Code Commissioner’s Note

At the direction of the Code Commissioner, in subsection (I), at the end of the second sentence “by law” was substituted for “in Section 56-5-2940” because Section 56-5-2940 was repealed effective February 10, 2009.

Editor’s Note

2007 Act No. 103, Section 23.D, provides as follows:

“This SECTION takes effect on January 1, 2008, or six months after approval by the Governor [approved June 15, 2007], whichever date comes later.”

Effect of Amendment

The 2007 amendment rewrote this section.

The 2008 amendment rewrote the section.

2014 Act No. 158, Section 9, rewrote the section.

2015 Act No. 34, Section 3, in the second paragraph in (A), substituted “Sections” for “Section” before “56-5-750”; in (D), substituted “only may obtain” for “may only obtain”; added (H)(4), and redesignated the paragraphs accordingly; in (I)(1) and (i)(3)(b), substituted “subsection (E)” for “Section 56-5-2941(E)”; in (I)(2), substituted “Services'” for “Services” in (J), added a comma following “thereafter” in the first sentence; rewrote (L); in (N), deleted “Section” before “56-5-2933”; in (O) and (P), inserted “or to conduct a running retest while the vehicle is in operation”; in (P), inserted “on behalf of a person subject to the provisions of this section”; rewrote (R); and added (T).

SECTION 56-5-2942. Vehicle immobilization after conviction for subsequent violation of Sections 56-5-2930, 56-5-2933, or 56-5-2945; immobilized defined; identity of immobilized vehicle; surrendering of license plates and registration; release of vehicle; hearing; penalties; fees.

(A) A person who is convicted of or pleads guilty or nolo contendere to a second or subsequent violation of Section 56-5-2930, 56-5-2933, or 56-5-2945 must have all motor vehicles owned by or registered to the person immobilized if the person is a resident of this State, unless the vehicle has been confiscated pursuant to Section 56-5-6240 or the person is a holder of a valid ignition interlock restricted license.

(B) For purposes of this section, “immobilized” and “immobilization” mean suspension and surrender of the registration and motor vehicle license plate.

(C) Upon receipt of a conviction by the department from the court for a second or subsequent violation of Section 56-5-2930, 56-5-2933, or 56-5-2945, the department shall determine all vehicles registered to the person, both solely and jointly, and suspend all vehicles registered to the person, unless the person is a holder of a valid ignition interlock restricted license.

(D) Upon notification by a court in this State or another state of a conviction for a second or subsequent violation of Section 56-5-2930, 56-5-2933, or 56-5-2945, the department shall require the person, unless the person is a holder of a valid ignition interlock restricted license, to surrender all license plates and vehicle registrations subject to immobilization pursuant to this section. The immobilization is for a period of thirty days to take place during the driver’s license suspension pursuant to a conviction for a second or subsequent violation of Section 56-5-2930, 56-5-2933, or 56-5-2945. The department shall maintain a record of all vehicles immobilized pursuant to this section.

(E) An immobilized motor vehicle must be released to the holder of a bona fide lien on the motor vehicle when possession of the motor vehicle is requested, as provided by law, by the lienholder for the purpose of foreclosing on and satisfying the lien.

(F) An immobilized motor vehicle may be released by the department without legal or physical restraints to a person who has not been convicted of a second or subsequent violation of Section 56-5-2930, 56-5-2933, or 56-5-2945, if that person is a registered owner of the motor vehicle or a member of the household of a registered owner. The vehicle must be released if an affidavit is submitted by that person to the department stating that:

(1) the person regularly drives the motor vehicle subject to immobilization;

(2) the immobilized motor vehicle is necessary to the person’s employment, transportation to an educational facility, or for the performance of essential household duties;

(3) no other motor vehicle is available for the person’s use;

(4) the person will not authorize the use of the motor vehicle by any other person known by the person to have been convicted of a second or subsequent violation of Section 56-5-2930, 56-5-2933, or 56-5-2945; or

(5) the person will report immediately to a local law enforcement agency any unauthorized use of the motor vehicle by a person known by the person to have been convicted of a second or subsequent violation of Section 56-5-2930, 56-5-2933, or 56-5-2945.

(G) The department may issue a determination permitting or denying the release of the vehicle based on the affidavit submitted pursuant to subsection (F). A person may seek relief from a department determination immobilizing a motor vehicle or denying the release of the motor vehicle by filing a request for a contested case hearing with the Office of Motor Vehicle Hearings pursuant to the Administrative Procedures Act and the rules of procedure for the Office of Motor Vehicle Hearings.

(H) A person who drives an immobilized motor vehicle except as provided in subsections (E) and (F) is guilty of a misdemeanor, and, upon conviction, must be fined not more than five hundred dollars or imprisoned not more than thirty days.

(I) A person who fails to surrender registrations and license plates pursuant to this section is guilty of a misdemeanor, and, upon conviction, must be fined not more than five hundred dollars or imprisoned not more than thirty days.

(J) A fee of fifty dollars must be paid to the department for each motor vehicle that was suspended before any of the suspended registrations and license plates may be registered or before the motor vehicle may be released pursuant to subsection (F). This fee must be placed by the Comptroller General into a special restricted interest bearing account to be used by the Department of Motor Vehicles to defray the Department of Motor Vehicles’ expenses.

(K) For purposes of this article, a conviction of or plea of nolo contendere to Section 56-5-2933 is considered a prior offense of Section 56-5-2930.

HISTORY: 2003 Act No. 61, Section 13; 2008 Act No. 201, Section 7, eff February 10, 2009; 2012 Act No. 212, Section 3, eff June 7, 2012; 2014 Act No. 158 (S.137), Section 10, eff October 1, 2014.

Effect of Amendment

The 2008 amendment rewrote subsections (C) and (J); in subsection (H), substituted “drives” for “operates” and “immobilized motor vehicle” for “immobilized vehicle”; in subsection (I), deleted “falsifies a report concerning vehicle owned by or registered to that person, or who” between “who” and “fails”; added subsection (K) relating to prior convictions; and made nonsubstantive changes.

The 2012 amendment rewrote subsection (G).

2014 Act No. 158, Section 10, in subsections (A), (C), and (D), inserted reference to the holder of a valid ignition interlock restricted license; and made other nonsubstantive and gender neutral changes.

SECTION 56-5-2945. Offense of felony driving under the influence; penalties; “great bodily injury” defined.

(A) A person who, while under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or the combination of alcohol and drugs, drives a motor vehicle and when driving a motor vehicle does any act forbidden by law or neglects any duty imposed by law in the driving of the motor vehicle, which act or neglect proximately causes great bodily injury or death to another person, is guilty of the offense of felony driving under the influence, and, upon conviction, must be punished:

(1) by a mandatory fine of not less than five thousand one hundred dollars nor more than ten thousand one hundred dollars and mandatory imprisonment for not less than thirty days nor more than fifteen years when great bodily injury results;

(2) by a mandatory fine of not less than ten thousand one hundred dollars nor more than twenty-five thousand one hundred dollars and mandatory imprisonment for not less than one year nor more than twenty-five years when death results.

A part of the mandatory sentences required to be imposed by this section must not be suspended, and probation must not be granted for any portion.

(B) As used in this section, “great bodily injury” means bodily injury which creates a substantial risk of death or which causes serious, permanent disfigurement, or protracted loss or impairment of the function of any bodily member or organ.

(C)(1) The Department of Motor Vehicles shall suspend the driver’s license of a person who is convicted pursuant to this section. For suspension purposes of this section, convictions arising out of a single incident must run concurrently.

(2) After the person is released from prison, the person shall enroll in the Ignition Interlock Device Program pursuant to Section 56-5-2941, end the suspension, and obtain an ignition interlock restricted license pursuant to Section 56-1-400. The ignition interlock device is required to be affixed to the motor vehicle for three years when great bodily injury results and five years when a death occurs.

(D) One hundred dollars of each fine imposed pursuant to this section must be placed by the Comptroller General into a special restricted account to be used by the Department of Public Safety for the Highway Patrol.

HISTORY: 1983 Act No. 114 Section 4; 1987 Act No. 58 Section 1; 1987 Act No. 82 Section 1; 1993 Act No. 181, Section 1419; 1993 Act No. 184 Section 252; 2003 Act No. 61, Section 17; 2008 Act No. 201, Section 8, eff February 10, 2009; 2014 Act No. 158 (S.137), Section 11, eff October 1, 2014.

Effect of Amendment

The 2008 amendment, in subsection (A), in the introductory paragraph added “motor” preceding “vehicle” and “a motor vehicle” following “driving” and substituted “the offense of felony driving under the influence” for “felony”; and, in subsection (B), rewrote the second undesignated paragraph, adding the second and third sentences.

2014 Act No. 158, Section 11, rewrote the former undesignated paragraph following subsection (B), and designated it as subsection (C); redesignated former subsection (C) as subsection (D); and made other nonsubstantive and gender neutral changes.

SECTION 56-5-2946. Submission to testing for alcohol or drugs.

(A) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a person must submit to either one or a combination of chemical tests of his breath, blood, or urine for the purpose of determining the presence of alcohol, drugs, or a combination of alcohol and drugs if there is probable cause to believe that the person violated or is under arrest for a violation of Section 56-5-2945.

(B) The tests must be administered at the direction of a law enforcement officer. The administration of one test does not preclude the administration of other tests. The resistance, obstruction, or opposition to testing pursuant to this section is evidence admissible at the trial of the offense which precipitated the requirement for testing. A person who is tested or gives samples for testing may have a qualified person of his choice conduct additional tests at his expense and must be notified of that right. A person’s request or failure to request additional blood or urine tests is not admissible against the person in the criminal trial.

(C) The provisions of Section 56-5-2950, relating to the administration of tests to determine a person’s alcohol concentration, additional tests at the person’s expense, the availability of other evidence on the question of whether or not the person was under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or a combination of them, availability of test information to the person or his attorney, and the liability of medical institutions and persons administering the tests are applicable to this section and also extend to the officer requesting the test, the State or its political subdivisions, or governmental agency, or entity which employs the officer making the request, and the agency, institution, or employer, either governmental or private, of persons administering the tests. Notwithstanding any other provision of state law pertaining to confidentiality of hospital records or other medical records, information regarding tests performed pursuant to this section must be released, upon subpoena, to a court, prosecuting attorney, defense attorney, or law enforcement officer in connection with an alleged violation of Section 56-5-2945.

HISTORY: 1998 Act No. 434, Section 6; 2012 Act No. 226, Section 2, eff December 18, 2012.

Effect of Amendment

The 2012 amendment added the subsection identifiers, and in subsection (B) deleted “who has probable cause to believe that the person violated or is under arrest for a violation of Section 56-5-2945” before “of a law enforcement officer”.

SECTION 56-5-2947. Child endangerment; definition; penalties; jurisdiction; evidence for taking child into protective custody.

(A) A person eighteen years of age or older is guilty of child endangerment when:

(1) the person violates:

(a) Section 56-5-750;

(b) Section 56-5-2930;

(d) Section 56-5-2945; and

(2) the person has one or more passengers younger than sixteen years of age in the motor vehicle when the violation occurs.

If more than one passenger younger than sixteen years of age is in the vehicle when a violation occurs, the person may be charged with only one violation of this section.

(B) Upon conviction, the person must be:

(1) fined not more than one-half of the maximum fine allowed for committing the violation in subsection (A)(1), when the person is fined for that offense;

(2) imprisoned not more than one-half of the maximum term of imprisonment allowed for committing the violation listed in subsection (A)(1), when the person is imprisoned for the offense; or

(3) fined and imprisoned as prescribed in items (1) and (2) when the person is fined and imprisoned for the offense.

(C) No portion of the penalty assessed pursuant to subsection (B) may be suspended or revoked and probation may not be awarded.

(D)(1) In addition to imposing the penalties for offenses listed in subsection (A)(1) and the penalties contained in subsection (B), the Department of Motor Vehicles shall suspend the person’s driver’s license for sixty days upon conviction under subsection (A)(1)(a). Upon conviction under subsection (A)(1)(b) through (d), the Department of Motor Vehicles shall suspend the person’s driver’s license.

(2) Upon conviction under subsection (A)(1)(b) through (d), the person shall enroll in the Ignition Interlock Device Program pursuant to Section 56-5-2941, end the suspension, and obtain an ignition interlock restricted license pursuant to Section 56-1-400. The ignition interlock device is required to be affixed to the motor vehicle for three months.

(3) Sections 56-1-1320 and 56-5-2990 as they relate to enrollment in an alcohol and drug safety action program and to the issuance of a provisional driver’s license will not be effective until the ignition interlock restricted license period is completed.

(E) A person may be convicted pursuant to this section for child endangerment in addition to being convicted for an offense listed in subsection (A)(1).

(F) The court that has jurisdiction over an offense listed in subsection (A)(1) has jurisdiction over the offense of child endangerment.

(G) A first offense charge for a violation of this section may not be used as the only evidence for taking a child into protective custody pursuant to Sections 63-7-620(A) and 63-7-660.

HISTORY: 1995 Act No. 81, Section 1; 1997 Act No. 14, Section 1; 2008 Act No. 201, Section 20, eff February 10, 2009; 2014 Act No. 158 (S.137), Section 12, eff October 1, 2014.

Code Commissioner’s Note

At the direction of the Code Commissioner, in subsection (G) “Section 20-7-610(A) and (F)” was changed to “Sections 63-7-620(A) and 63-7-660” in accordance with 2008 Act No. 361 (Children’s Code).

Pursuant to the directive to the Code Commissioner in 2003 Act No. 51, Section 18, “Department of Motor Vehicles” was substituted for “department”.

Effect of Amendment

The 2008 amendment, in paragraph (A)(1), added subparagraph (c) relating to Section 56-5-2933 and redesignated subparagraph (c) as (d).

2014 Act No. 158, Section 12, in subsection (D), added the first sentence, and in the second sentence, substituted “ignition interlock restricted license period” for “sixty-day suspension period”; and made other nonsubstantive changes.

SECTION 56-5-2948. Field sobriety tests.

When a person is suspected of causing a motor vehicle incident resulting in the death of another person by the investigating law enforcement officer on the scene of the incident, the driver must submit to field sobriety tests if he is physically able to do so.

HISTORY: 2012 Act No. 226, Section 3, eff December 18, 2012.

SECTION 56-5-2949. Policies, procedures and regulations on the SLED internet web site.

In addition to availability under the Freedom of Information Act, any South Carolina Law Enforcement Division policy, procedure, or regulation concerning breath alcohol testing or breath site video recording which is in effect on or after July 1, 2000, must be made publicly accessible on the SLED Internet web site. A policy, procedure, or regulation may be removed from the SLED web site only after five years from the effective date of the subsequent revision.

HISTORY: 2000 Act No. 390, Section 13; 2007 Act No. 103, Section 23.C, eff January 1, 2008; 2008 Act No. 201, Section 16, eff February 10, 2009.

Editor’s Note

2007 Act No. 103, Section 23.D, provides as follows:

“This SECTION takes effect on January 1, 2008, or six months after approval by the Governor [approved June 15, 2007], whichever date comes later.”

Effect of Amendment

The 2007 amendment, in the first sentence, deleted “, or ignition interlock” following “videotaping”.

The 2008 amendment substituted “or breath site video recording” for “or breath site videotaping, or ignition interlock”.

SECTION 56-5-2950. Implied consent to testing for alcohol or drugs; procedures; inference of DUI.

(A) A person who drives a motor vehicle in this State is considered to have given consent to chemical tests of the person’s breath, blood, or urine for the purpose of determining the presence of alcohol, drugs, or the combination of alcohol and drugs, if arrested for an offense arising out of acts alleged to have been committed while the person was driving a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or a combination of alcohol and drugs. A breath test must be administered at the direction of a law enforcement officer who has arrested a person for driving a motor vehicle in this State while under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or a combination of alcohol and drugs. At the direction of the arresting officer, the person first must be offered a breath test to determine the person’s alcohol concentration. If the person is physically unable to provide an acceptable breath sample because the person has an injured mouth, is unconscious or dead, or for any other reason considered acceptable by the licensed medical personnel, the arresting officer may request a blood sample to be taken. If the officer has reasonable suspicion that the person is under the influence of drugs other than alcohol, or is under the influence of a combination of alcohol and drugs, the officer may order that a urine sample be taken for testing. A breath sample taken for testing must be collected within two hours of the arrest. Any additional tests to collect other samples must be collected within three hours of the arrest. The breath test must be administered by a person trained and certified by the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy, pursuant to SLED policies. Before the breath test is administered, an eight one-hundredths of one percent simulator test must be performed and the result must reflect a reading between 0.076 percent and 0.084 percent. Blood and urine samples must be obtained by physicians licensed by the State Board of Medical Examiners, registered nurses licensed by the State Board of Nursing, and other medical personnel trained to obtain the samples in a licensed medical facility. Blood and urine samples must be obtained and handled in accordance with procedures approved by SLED.

(B) No tests may be administered or samples obtained unless, upon activation of the video recording equipment and prior to the commencement of the testing procedure, the person has been given a written copy of and verbally informed that:

(1) the person does not have to take the test or give the samples, but that the person’s privilege to drive must be suspended or denied for at least six months with the option of ending the suspension if the person enrolls in the Ignition Interlock Device Program, if the person refuses to submit to the test, and that the person’s refusal may be used against the person in court;

(2) the person’s privilege to drive must be suspended for at least one month with the option of ending the suspension if the person enrolls in the Ignition Interlock Device Program, if the person takes the test or gives the samples and has an alcohol concentration of fifteen one-hundredths of one percent or more;

(3) the person has the right to have a qualified person of the person’s own choosing conduct additional independent tests at the person’s expense;

(4) the person has the right to request a contested case hearing within thirty days of the issuance of the notice of suspension; and

(5) if the person does not request a contested case hearing or if the person’s suspension is upheld at the contested case hearing, the person shall enroll in an Alcohol and Drug Safety Action Program.

(C) A hospital, physician, qualified technician, chemist, or registered nurse who obtains the samples or conducts the test or participates in the process of obtaining the samples or conducting the test in accordance with this section is not subject to a cause of action for assault, battery, or another cause alleging that the drawing of blood or taking samples at the request of the arrested person or a law enforcement officer was wrongful. This release from liability does not reduce the standard of medical care required of the person obtaining the samples or conducting the test. This qualified release also applies to the employer of the person who conducts the test or obtains the samples.

(D) The person tested or giving samples for testing may have a qualified person of the person’s own choosing conduct additional tests at the person’s expense and must be notified in writing of that right. A person’s request or failure to request additional blood or urine tests is not admissible against the person in the criminal trial. The failure or inability of the person tested to obtain additional tests does not preclude the admission of evidence relating to the tests or samples obtained at the direction of the law enforcement officer.

(E) The arresting officer shall provide affirmative assistance to the person to contact a qualified person to conduct and obtain additional tests. Affirmative assistance, at a minimum, includes providing transportation for the person to the nearest medical facility which performs blood tests to determine a person’s alcohol concentration. If the medical facility obtains the blood sample but refuses or fails to test the blood sample to determine the person’s alcohol concentration, SLED shall test the blood sample and provide the result to the person and to the arresting officer. Failure to provide affirmative assistance upon request to obtain additional tests bars the admissibility of the breath test result in a judicial or administrative proceeding.

SLED shall administer the provisions of this subsection and shall make regulations necessary to carry out this subsection’s provisions. The costs of the tests administered at the direction of the law enforcement officer must be paid from the state’s general fund. However, if the person is subsequently convicted of violating Section 56-5-2930, 56-5-2933, or 56-5-2945, then, upon conviction, the person shall pay twenty-five dollars for the costs of the tests. The twenty-five dollars must be placed by the Comptroller General into a special restricted account to be used by the State Law Enforcement Division to offset the costs of administration of the breath testing devices, breath testing site video program, and toxicology laboratory.

(F) A qualified person who obtains samples or administers the tests or assists in obtaining samples or the administration of tests at the direction of a law enforcement officer is released from civil and criminal liability unless the obtaining of samples or tests is performed in a negligent, reckless, or fraudulent manner. No person may be required by the arresting officer, or by another law enforcement officer, to obtain or take any sample of blood or urine.

(G) In the criminal prosecution for a violation of Section 56-5-2930, 56-5-2933, or 56-5-2945 the alcohol concentration at the time of the test, as shown by chemical analysis of the person’s breath or other body fluids, gives rise to the following:

(1) if the alcohol concentration was at that time five one-hundredths of one percent or less, it is conclusively presumed that the person was not under the influence of alcohol;

(2) if the alcohol concentration was at that time in excess of five one-hundredths of one percent but less than eight one-hundredths of one percent, this fact does not give rise to any inference that the person was or was not under the influence of alcohol, but this fact may be considered with other evidence in determining the guilt or innocence of the person; or

(3) if the alcohol concentration was at that time eight one-hundredths of one percent or more, it may be inferred that the person was under the influence of alcohol.

The provisions of this section must not be construed as limiting the introduction of any other evidence bearing upon the question of whether or not the person was under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or a combination of alcohol and drugs.

(H) A person who is unconscious or otherwise in a condition rendering the person incapable of refusal is considered to be informed and not to have withdrawn the consent provided by subsection (A) of this section.

(I) A person required to submit to tests by the arresting law enforcement officer must be provided with a written report including the time of arrest, the time of the tests, and the results of the tests before any trial or other proceeding in which the results of the tests are used as evidence. A person who obtains additional tests shall furnish a copy of the time, method, and results of such tests to the officer before a trial, hearing, or other proceeding in which the person attempts to use the results of the additional tests as evidence.

(J) Policies, procedures, and regulations promulgated by SLED may be reviewed by the trial judge or hearing officer on motion of either party. The failure to follow policies, procedures, and regulations, or the provisions of this section, shall result in the exclusion from evidence of any test results, if the trial judge or hearing officer finds that this failure materially affected the accuracy or reliability of the test results or the fairness of the testing procedure and the court trial judge or hearing officer rules specifically as to the manner in which the failure materially affected the accuracy or reliability of the test results or the fairness of the procedure.

(K) If a state employee charged with the maintenance of breath testing devices in this State and the administration of breath testing policy is required to testify at a contested case hearing or court proceeding, the entity employing the witness may charge a reasonable fee to the defendant for such services.

HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 46-344; 1952 Code Section 46-344; 1949 (46) 466; 1969 (56) 395; 1987 Act No. 95 Section 9; 1987 Act No. 179 Section 2; 1988 Act No. 348; 1988 Act No. 616; 1993 Act No. 181, Section 1420; 1994 Act No. 497, Part II, Section 36T; 1998 Act No. 434, Section 7; 2000 Act No. 390, Section 14; 2003 Act No. 61, Section 6; 2008 Act No. 201, Section 9, eff February 10, 2009; 2014 Act No. 158 (S.137), Section 13, eff October 1, 2014.

Editor’s Note

The term “SLED” refers to the State Law Enforcement Division. See Sections 23-3-10 et seq.

Effect of Amendment

The 2008 amendment rewrote this section and redesignated the subsections.

2014 Act No. 158, Section 13, in subsection (B)(1) and (B)(2), inserted reference to the Ignition Interlock Device Program; in subsections (B)(4), (B)(5), and (K), substituted “contested case hearing” for “administrative hearing”; and made other nonsubstantive and gender neutral changes.

SECTION 56-5-2951. Suspension of license for refusal to submit to testing or for certain level of alcohol concentration; temporary alcohol license; administrative hearing; restricted driver’s license; penalties.

(A) The Department of Motor Vehicles shall suspend the driver’s license, permit, or nonresident operating privilege of, or deny the issuance of a license or permit to, a person who drives a motor vehicle and refuses to submit to a test provided for in Section 56-5-2950 or has an alcohol concentration of fifteen one-hundredths of one percent or more. The arresting officer shall issue a notice of suspension which is effective beginning on the date of the alleged violation of Section 56-5-2930, 56-5-2933, or 56-5-2945.

(B) Within thirty days of the issuance of the notice of suspension, the person may:

(1) obtain a temporary alcohol license from the Department of Motor Vehicles. A one hundred-dollar fee must be assessed for obtaining a temporary alcohol license. Twenty-five dollars of the fee must be distributed by the Department of Motor Vehicles to the Department of Public Safety for supplying and maintaining all necessary vehicle videotaping equipment. The remaining seventy-five dollars must be placed by the Comptroller General into a special restricted account to be used by the Department of Motor Vehicles to defray the Department of Motor Vehicles’ expenses. The temporary alcohol license allows the person to drive without any restrictive conditions pending the outcome of the contested case hearing provided for in subsection (F) or the final decision or disposition of the matter. If the suspension is upheld at the contested case hearing, the temporary alcohol license remains in effect until the Office of Motor Vehicle Hearings issues the hearing officer’s decision and the Department of Motor Vehicles sends notice to the person that the person is eligible to receive a restricted license pursuant to subsection (H); and

(2) request a contested case hearing before the Office of Motor Vehicle Hearings in accordance with the Office of Motor Vehicle Hearings’ rules of procedure.

At the contested case hearing, if:

(a) the suspension is upheld, the person’s driver’s license, permit, or nonresident operating privilege must be suspended or the person must be denied the issuance of a license or permit for the remainder of the suspension period provided for in subsection (I). Within thirty days of the issuance of the notice that the suspension has been upheld, the person shall enroll in an Alcohol and Drug Safety Action Program pursuant to Section 56-5-2990;

(b) the suspension is overturned, the person must have the person’s driver’s license, permit, or nonresident operating privilege reinstated.

The provisions of this subsection do not affect the trial for a violation of Section 56-5-2930, 56-5-2933, or 56-5-2945.

(C) The period of suspension provided for in subsection (I) begins on the day the notice of suspension is issued, or at the expiration of any other suspensions, and continues until the person applies for a temporary alcohol license and requests a contested case hearing.

(D) If a person does not request a contested case hearing, the person waives the person’s right to the hearing, and the person’s suspension must not be stayed but continues for the period provided for in subsection (I).

(E) The notice of suspension must advise the person:

(1) of the person’s right to obtain a temporary alcohol driver’s license and to request a contested case hearing before the Office of Motor Vehicle Hearings;

(2) the notice of suspension also must advise the person that, if the person does not request a contested case hearing within thirty days of the issuance of the notice of suspension, the person waives the person’s right to the contested case hearing, and the suspension continues for the period provided for in subsection (I); and

(3) the notice of suspension also must advise the person that, if the suspension is upheld at the contested case hearing or the person does not request a contested case hearing, the person shall enroll in an Alcohol and Drug Safety Action Program.

(F) A contested case hearing must be held after the request for the hearing is received by the Office of Motor Vehicle Hearings. The scope of the hearing is limited to whether the person:

(1) was lawfully arrested or detained;

(2) was given a written copy of and verbally informed of the rights enumerated in Section 56-5-2950;

(3) refused to submit to a test pursuant to Section 56-5-2950; or

(4) consented to taking a test pursuant to Section 56-5-2950, and the:

(a) reported alcohol concentration at the time of testing was fifteen one-hundredths of one percent or more;

(b) individual who administered the test or took samples was qualified pursuant to Section 56-5-2950;

(d) machine was working properly.

Nothing in this section prohibits the introduction of evidence at the contested case hearing on the issue of the accuracy of the breath test result.

A written order must be issued to all parties either reversing or upholding the suspension of the person’s license, permit, or nonresident’s operating privilege, or denying the issuance of a license or permit. If the suspension is upheld, the person must receive credit for the number of days the person’s license was suspended before the person received a temporary alcohol license and requested the contested case hearing.

The Department of Motor Vehicles and the arresting officer shall have the burden of proof in contested case hearings conducted pursuant to this section. If neither the Department of Motor Vehicles nor the arresting officer appears at the contested case hearing, the hearing officer shall rescind the suspension of the person’s license, permit, or nonresident’s operating privilege regardless of whether the person requesting the contested case hearing or the person’s attorney appears at the contested case hearing.

(G) A contested case hearing is governed by the Administrative Procedures Act, and a person has a right to appeal the decision of the hearing officer pursuant to that act to the Administrative Law Court in accordance with the Administrative Law Court’s appellate rules. The filing of an appeal stays the suspension until a final decision is issued on appeal.

(H)(1) If the person did not request a contested case hearing or the suspension is upheld at the contested case hearing, the person shall enroll in an Alcohol and Drug Safety Action Program pursuant to Section 56-5-2990, and may apply for a restricted license if the person is employed or enrolled in a college or university. The restricted license permits the person to drive only to and from work and the person’s place of education and in the course of the person’s employment or education during the period of suspension. The restricted license also permits the person to drive to and from the Alcohol Drug Safety Action Program classes or to a court-ordered drug program. The department may issue the restricted license only upon showing by the person that the person is employed or enrolled in a college or university, that the person lives further than one mile from the person’s place of employment, place of education, or location of the person’s Alcohol and Drug Safety Action Program classes, or the location of the person’s court-ordered drug program, and that there is no adequate public transportation between the person’s residence and the person’s place of employment, the person’s place of education, the location of the person’s Alcohol and Drug Safety Action Program classes, or the location of the person’s court-ordered drug program.

(2) If the department issues a restricted license pursuant to this subsection, the department shall designate reasonable restrictions on the times during which and routes on which the person may drive a motor vehicle. A change in the employment hours, place of employment, status as a student, status of attendance of Alcohol and Drug Safety Action Program classes, status of attendance of the person’s court-ordered drug program, or residence must be reported immediately to the department by the person.

(3) The fee for a restricted license is one hundred dollars, but no additional fee may be charged because of changes in the place and hours of employment, education, or residence. Twenty dollars of this fee must be deposited in the state’s general fund, and eighty dollars must be placed by the Comptroller General into a special restricted account to be used by the Department of Motor Vehicles to defray the Department of Motor Vehicles’ expenses.

(4) Driving a motor vehicle outside the time limits and route imposed by a restricted license is a violation of Section 56-1-460.

(I)(1) Except as provided in item (3), the period of a driver’s license, permit, or nonresident operating privilege suspension for, or denial of issuance of a license or permit to, an arrested person who has no previous convictions for violating Section 56-5-2930, 56-5-2933, or 56-5-2945, or a law of another state that prohibits a person from driving a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or other drugs within the ten years preceding a violation of this section, and who has had no previous suspension imposed pursuant to Section 56-1-286, 56-5-2951, or 56-5-2990, within the ten years preceding a violation of this section is:

(a) six months for a person who refuses to submit to a test pursuant to Section 56-5-2950; or

(b) one month for a person who takes a test pursuant to Section 56-5-2950 and has an alcohol concentration of fifteen one-hundredths of one percent or more.

(2) The period of a driver’s license, permit, or nonresident operating privilege suspension for, or denial of issuance of a license or permit to, a person who has been convicted previously for violating Section 56-5-2930, 56-5-2933, or 56-5-2945, or another law of this State or another state that prohibits a person from driving a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or another drug within the ten years preceding a violation of this section, or who has had a previous suspension imposed pursuant to Section 56-1-286, 56-5-2951, or 56-5-2990, within the ten years preceding a violation of this section is:

(a) for a second offense, nine months if the person refuses to submit to a test pursuant to Section 56-5-2950, or two months if the person takes a test pursuant to Section 56-5-2950 and has an alcohol concentration of fifteen one-hundredths of one percent or more;

(b) for a third offense, twelve months if the person refuses to submit to a test pursuant to Section 56-5-2950, or three months if the person takes a test pursuant to Section 56-5-2950 and has an alcohol concentration of fifteen one-hundredths of one percent or more; and

(c) for a fourth or subsequent offense, fifteen months if the person refuses to submit to a test pursuant to Section 56-5-2950, or four months if the person takes a test pursuant to Section 56-5-2950 and has an alcohol concentration of fifteen one-hundredths of one percent or more.

(3) In lieu of serving the remainder of a suspension or denial of the issuance of a license or permit, a person may enroll in the Ignition Interlock Device Program pursuant to Section 56-5-2941, end the suspension or denial of the issuance of a license or permit, and obtain an ignition interlock restricted license pursuant to Section 56-1-400. The ignition interlock device is required to be affixed to the motor vehicle equal to the length of time remaining on the person’s suspension or denial of the issuance of a license or permit. If the length of time remaining is less than three months, the ignition interlock device is required to be affixed to the motor vehicle for three months. Once a person has enrolled in the Ignition Interlock Device Program and obtained an ignition interlock restricted license, the person is subject to Section 56-5-2941 and cannot subsequently choose to serve the suspension.

(J) A person’s driver’s license, permit, or nonresident operating privilege must be restored when the person’s period of suspension or ignition interlock restricted license requirement pursuant to subsection (I) has concluded, even if the person has not yet completed the Alcohol and Drug Safety Action Program. After the person’s driving privilege is restored, the person shall continue the services of the Alcohol and Drug Safety Action Program. If the person withdraws from or in any way stops making satisfactory progress toward the completion of the Alcohol and Drug Safety Action Program, the person’s license must be suspended until the completion of the Alcohol and Drug Safety Action Program. A person shall be attending or have completed an Alcohol and Drug Safety Action Program pursuant to Section 56-5-2990 before the person’s driving privilege can be restored at the conclusion of the suspension period or ignition interlock restricted license requirement.

(K) When a nonresident’s privilege to drive a motor vehicle in this State has been suspended pursuant to the provisions of this section, the department shall give written notice of the action taken to the motor vehicle administrator of the state of the person’s residence and of any state in which the person has a license or permit.

(L) The department shall not suspend the privilege to drive of a person under the age of twenty-one pursuant to Section 56-1-286, if the person’s privilege to drive has been suspended pursuant to this section arising from the same incident.

(M) A person whose driver’s license or permit is suspended pursuant to this section is not required to file proof of financial responsibility.

(N) An insurer shall not increase premiums on, add surcharges to, or cancel the automobile insurance of a person charged with a violation of Section 56-1-286, 56-5-2930, 56-5-2933, 56-5-2945, or a law of another state that prohibits a person from driving a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or other drugs based solely on the violation unless the person is convicted of the violation.

(O) The department shall administer the provisions of this section.

(P) If a person does not request a contested case hearing within the thirty-day period as authorized pursuant to this section, the person may file with the department a form after enrolling in a certified Alcohol and Drug Safety Action Program to apply for a restricted license. The restricted license permits him to drive only to and from work and his place of education and in the course of his employment or education during the period of suspension. The restricted license also permits him to drive to and from Alcohol and Drug Safety Action Program classes or a court-ordered drug program. The department may issue the restricted license at any time following the suspension upon a showing by the individual that he is employed or enrolled in a college or university, that he lives further than one mile from his place of employment, place of education, the location of his Alcohol and Drug Safety Action Program classes, or the location of his court-ordered drug program, and that there is no adequate public transportation between his residence and his place of employment, his place of education, the location of his Alcohol and Drug Safety Action Program classes, or the location of his court-ordered drug program. The department must designate reasonable restrictions on the times during which and routes on which the individual may drive a motor vehicle. A change in the employment hours, place of employment, status as a student, status of attendance of Alcohol and Drug Safety Action Program classes, status of his court-ordered drug program, or residence must be reported immediately to the department by the licensee. The route restrictions, requirements, and fees imposed by the department for the issuance of the restricted license issued pursuant to this item are the same as those provided in this section had the person requested a contested case hearing. A restricted license is valid until the person successfully completes a certified Alcohol and Drug Safety Action Program, unless the person fails to complete or make satisfactory progress to complete the program.

HISTORY: 1998 Act No. 434, Section 8; 1999 Act No. 115, Sections 7, 8, 13; 1999 Act No. 100, Part II, Section 11; 1999 Act No. 115, Section 15; 2000 Act No. 390, Sections 15 to 22; 2001 Act No. 79, Sections 2.I.1. and 2.I.2.; 2002 Act No. 296, Sections 2, 3; 2002 Act No. 348, Sections 10 and 11; 2002 Act No. 354, Sections 4 and 5; 2003 Act No. 61, Section 7; 2006 Act No. 381, Section 7, eff June 13, 2006; 2008 Act No. 201, Section 10, eff February 10, 2009; 2012 Act No. 212, Section 4, eff June 7, 2012; 2012 Act No. 264, Section 5, eff June 18, 2012; 2014 Act No. 158 (S.137), Section 14, eff October 1, 2014.

Code Commissioner’s Note

2003 Act No. 51, Section 18 directed the Code Commissioner to substitute “Department of Motor Vehicles” for “department”, “Department of Public Safety” and “Division of Motor Vehicles” in certain instances.

Effect of Amendment

The 2006 amendment, in subsection (F), rewrote the first undesignated paragraph to substitute “Division of Motor Vehicle Hearings” for “Department of Motor Vehicles” and make conforming and nonsubstantive changes, and in the third undesignated paragraph in the first sentence substituted “all parties either reversing or” for “the person”; and, in subsection (G), in the first sentence added “case”, substituted “appeal the decision of the hearing officer” for “judicial review” and added “to the Administrative Law Court in accordance with its appellate rules”, and in the second sentence substituted “an appeal” for “a petition for review” and added at the end “on appeal”.

The 2008 amendment rewrote this section.

The first 2012 amendment substituted “contested case” for “administrative” throughout and made other, nonsubstantive, changes.

The second 2012 amendment substituted “distributed by the Department of Motor Vehicles to” for “retained by” in subsection (B)(1).

2014 Act No. 158, Section 14, rewrote subsections (B), (E), (G), (H), (I), (J), (N); and made other nonsubstantive and gender neutral changes.

SECTION 56-5-2952. Filing fee to request contested case hearing.

The filing fee to request a contested case hearing before the Office of Motor Vehicle Hearings of the Administrative Law Court is two hundred dollars, or as otherwise prescribed by the rules of procedure for the Office of Motor Vehicle Hearings. Funds generated from the collection of this fee must be retained by the Administrative Law Court, provided, however, that these funds first must be used to meet the expenses of the Office of Motor Vehicle Hearings, including the salaries of its employees, as directed by the chief judge of the Administrative Law Court.

HISTORY: 2002 Act No. 235, Section 1; 2003 Act No. 61, Section 18; 2005 Act No. 128, Section 23, eff July 1, 2005; repealed by 2006 Act No. 381, Section 11, eff June 13, 2006; 2006 Act No. 387, Section 37, eff July 1, 2006; 2008 Act No. 279, Section 7, eff October 1, 2008; 2012 Act No. 212, Section 5, eff June 7, 2012.

Code Commissioner’s Note

Section 11 of 2006 Act No. 381 repealed this section, and Section 37 of Act No. 387 amended it. Although the acts were ratified on the same day, Act 387 contained Section 53 stating “This act is intended to provide a uniform procedure for contested cases and appeals from administrative agencies and to the extent that a provision of this act conflicts with an existing statute or regulation, the provisions of this act are controlling.” On the basis of this provision, the Code Commissioner directed that the amendment by Act 387 controls.

Editor’s Note

2005 Act No. 128, Section 27, provides as follows:

“This act takes effect on July 1, 2005, and applies to all licensing and administrative hearings involving the South Carolina Department of Consumer Affairs.”

Effect of Amendment

The 2005 amendment rewrote this section to refer to the Division of Motor Vehicle Hearings of the Administrative Law Court.

The first 2006 amendment repealed this section.

The second 2006 amendment, which controls (see Code Commissioner’s Note) made nonsubstantive changes.

The 2008 amendment substituted “contested case” for “administrative” and “Office of Motor Vehicle Hearings” for “Division of Motor Vehicle Hearings”.

The 2012 amendment rewrote the section.

SECTION 56-5-2953. Incident site and breath test site video recording.

(A) A person who violates Section 56-5-2930, 56-5-2933, or 56-5-2945 must have his conduct at the incident site and the breath test site video recorded.

(1)(a) The video recording at the incident site must:

(i) not begin later than the activation of the officer’s blue lights;

(ii) include any field sobriety tests administered; and

(iii) include the arrest of a person for a violation of Section 56-5-2930 or Section 56-5-2933, or a probable cause determination in that the person violated Section 56-5-2945, and show the person being advised of his Miranda rights.

(b) A refusal to take a field sobriety test does not constitute disobeying a police command.

(2) The video recording at the breath test site must:

(a) include the entire breath test procedure, the person being informed that he is being video recorded, and that he has the right to refuse the test;

(b) include the person taking or refusing the breath test and the actions of the breath test operator while conducting the test; and

(c) also include the person’s conduct during the required twenty-minute pre-test waiting period, unless the officer submits a sworn affidavit certifying that it was physically impossible to video record this waiting period.

(3) The video recordings of the incident site and of the breath test site are admissible pursuant to the South Carolina Rules of Evidence in a criminal, administrative, or civil proceeding by any party to the action.

(B) Nothing in this section may be construed as prohibiting the introduction of other relevant evidence in the trial of a violation of Section 56-5-2930, 56-5-2933, or 56-5-2945. Failure by the arresting officer to produce the video recording required by this section is not alone a ground for dismissal of any charge made pursuant to Section 56-5-2930, 56-5-2933, or 56-5-2945 if the arresting officer submits a sworn affidavit certifying that the video recording equipment at the time of the arrest or probable cause determination, or video equipment at the breath test facility was in an inoperable condition, stating which reasonable efforts have been made to maintain the equipment in an operable condition, and certifying that there was no other operable breath test facility available in the county or, in the alternative, submits a sworn affidavit certifying that it was physically impossible to produce the video recording because the person needed emergency medical treatment, or exigent circumstances existed. In circumstances including, but not limited to, road blocks, traffic accident investigations, and citizens’ arrests, where an arrest has been made and the video recording equipment has not been activated by blue lights, the failure by the arresting officer to produce the video recordings required by this section is not alone a ground for dismissal. However, as soon as video recording is practicable in these circumstances, video recording must begin and conform with the provisions of this section. Nothing in this section prohibits the court from considering any other valid reason for the failure to produce the video recording based upon the totality of the circumstances; nor do the provisions of this section prohibit the person from offering evidence relating to the arresting law enforcement officer’s failure to produce the video recording.

(C) A video recording must not be disposed of in any manner except for its transfer to a master recording for consolidation purposes until the results of any legal proceeding in which it may be involved are finally determined.

(D) SLED is responsible for purchasing, maintaining, and supplying all necessary video recording equipment for use at the breath test sites. SLED also is responsible for monitoring all breath test sites to ensure the proper maintenance of video recording equipment. The Department of Public Safety is responsible for purchasing, maintaining, and supplying all videotaping equipment for use in all law enforcement vehicles used for traffic enforcement. The Department of Public Safety also is responsible for monitoring all law enforcement vehicles used for traffic enforcement to ensure proper maintenance of video recording equipment.

(E) Beginning one month from the effective date of this section, all of the funds received in accordance with Section 14-1-208(C)(9) must be expended by SLED to equip all breath test sites with video recording devices and supplies. Once all breath test sites have been equipped fully with video recording devices and supplies, eighty-seven and one-half percent of the funds received in accordance with Section 14-1-208(C)(9) must be expended by the Department of Public Safety to purchase, maintain, and supply video recording equipment for vehicles used for traffic enforcement. The remaining twelve and one-half percent of the funds received in accordance with Section 14-1-208(C)(9) must be expended by SLED to purchase, maintain, and supply video recording equipment for the breath test sites. Funds must be distributed by the State Treasurer to the Department of Public Safety and SLED on a monthly basis. The Department of Public Safety and SLED are authorized to carry forward any unexpended funds received in accordance with Section 14-1-208(C)(9) as of June thirtieth of each year and to expend these carried forward funds for the purchase, maintenance, and supply of video recording equipment. The Department of Public Safety and SLED must report the revenue received under this section and the expenditures for which the revenue was used as required in the department’s and SLED’s annual appropriation request to the General Assembly.

(F) The Department of Public Safety and SLED must promulgate regulations necessary to implement the provisions of this section.

(G) The provisions contained in Section 56-5-2953(A), (B), and (C) take effect for each law enforcement vehicle used for traffic enforcement once the law enforcement vehicle is equipped with a video recording device. The provisions contained in Section 56-5-2953(A), (B), and (C) take effect for a breath test site once the breath test site is equipped with a video recording device.

HISTORY: 1998 Act No. 434, Section 9; 2000 Act No. 390, Section 23; 2003 Act No. 61, Section 8; 2008 Act No. 201, Section 11, eff February 10, 2009.

Effect of Amendment

The 2008 amendment rewrote subsection (A) and substituted “video recording” for “videotape”, “videotapes”, and “videotaping” throughout.

SECTION 56-5-2954. Breath testing sites; records of problems with devices.

The State Law Enforcement Division and each law enforcement agency with a breath testing site is required to maintain a detailed record of malfunctions, repairs, complaints, or other problems regarding breath testing devices at each site. These records must be electronically recorded. These records, including any and all remarks, must be entered into a breath testing device and subsequently made available on the State Law Enforcement Division web site. The records required by this section are subject to compulsory process issued by any court of competent jurisdiction in this State and are public records under the Freedom of Information Act.

HISTORY: 2000 Act No. 390, Section 24; 2008 Act No. 201, Section 12, eff February 10, 2009.

Effect of Amendment

The 2008 amendment added the second and third sentences requiring the records to be electronically recorded and made available on the State Law Enforcement Division website.

SECTION 56-5-2955. Admissibility of evidence obtained under Section 56-5-2950.

Any evidence obtained under the provisions of Section 56-5-2950 shall not be admissible as evidence to prove a criminal offense other than those offenses delineated in Title 56.

HISTORY: 1987 Act No. 179 Section 3.

SECTION 56-5-2970. Reports to Department of Motor Vehicle of convictions, certain pleas and bail forfeitures.

All clerks of court, magistrates, city recorders, and other public officers in this State having charge or responsibility with respect to convictions or of the entry of pleas of guilty or of nolo contendere or of the forfeitures of bail posted for violation of Section 56-5-2930, 56-5-2933, or for convictions or of the entry of pleas of guilty or of nolo contendere or of the forfeitures of bail posted for violations of any other laws or ordinances of this State that prohibit any person from operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of intoxicating liquor, drugs, or narcotics are required to report to the Department of Motor Vehicles every such conviction, plea of guilty or of nolo contendere or bail forfeiture within ten days after such conviction, entry of a plea of guilty or of nolo contendere or forfeiture or after the receipt of such report, as the case may be. Such reports shall be made upon forms to be provided by the department, arranged in duplicate, and the director of the Department of Motor Vehicles shall acknowledge the filing of each such report by signing the duplicate of such report and returning it to the officer making it, to be kept by such officer as evidence of his compliance with the requirement that he make such report.

Any person violating the provisions of this section shall be subject to a penalty of twenty-five dollars for each such failure, to be collected by the Attorney General or the solicitors of the State under the direction of the Attorney General and paid into the general fund of the State.

HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 46-347; 1952 Code Section 46-347; 1949 (46) 466; 1956 (49) 1688; 2000 Act No. 390, Section 25.

Code Commissioner’s Note

Pursuant to the direction to the Code Commissioner in 2003 Act No. 51, Section 18, “Department of Motor Vehicles” was substituted for “motor vehicle division of the department” in the first and second sentences of the first undesignated paragraph.

SECTION 56-5-2980. Copies of reports as prima facie evidence of certain matters; effect of stipulating subsequent offense.

In all trials and proceedings in any court of this State in which the defendant is charged with a violation of Section 56-5-2920, 56-5-2930, or 56-5-2933, photostatic, optical disk, or other copies of the reports required to be filed with the Department of Motor Vehicles pursuant to Section 56-5-2970 shall be deemed prima facie evidence of the information contained on such reports for the purpose of showing any previous conviction of the defendant in any other court. Copies of the reports must be duly certified by the director of the department or his designee as true copies. If the defendant stipulates that the charge constitutes a second or subsequent offense, the indictment shall not contain allegations of prior offenses and evidence of such prior offenses must not be introduced.

HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 46-349; 1953 (48) 222; 1996 Act No. 459, Section 185; 2000 Act No. 390, Section 26.

Code Commissioner’s Note

Pursuant to the directive to the Code Commissioner in 2003 Act No. 51, Section 18, “Department of Motor Vehicles” was substituted for “department”.

SECTION 56-5-2990. Suspension of convicted person’s driver’s license; period of suspension.

(A)(1) The Department of Motor Vehicles shall suspend the driver’s license of a person who is convicted for a violation of Section 56-5-2930, 56-5-2933, or a law of another state that prohibits a person from driving a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or other drugs.

(2) For a first offense:

(a) If a person is found to have refused to submit to a breath test pursuant to Section 56-5-2950 and is convicted of Section 56-5-2930 or 56-5-2933, the person’s driver’s license must be suspended six months. The person is not eligible for a provisional license pursuant to Article 7, Chapter 1, Title 56. In lieu of serving the remainder of the suspension, the person may enroll in the Ignition Interlock Device Program pursuant to Section 56-5-2941, end the suspension, and obtain an ignition interlock restricted license pursuant to Section 56-1-400. The ignition interlock device is required to be affixed to the motor vehicle equal to the length of time remaining on the person’s suspension. If the length of time remaining is less than three months, the ignition interlock device is required to be affixed to the motor vehicle for three months. Once a person has enrolled in the Ignition Interlock Device Program and obtained an ignition interlock restricted license, the person is subject to Section 56-5-2941 and cannot subsequently choose to serve the suspension.

(b) If a person submitted to a breath test pursuant to Section 56-5-2950 and is convicted of having an alcohol concentration of less than fifteen one-hundredths of one percent, the person’s driver’s license must be suspended six months. The person is eligible for a provisional license pursuant to Article 7, Chapter 1, Title 56. In lieu of serving the remainder of the suspension, the person may enroll in the Ignition Interlock Device Program pursuant to Section 56-5-2941, end the suspension, and obtain an ignition interlock restricted license pursuant to Section 56-1-400. The ignition interlock device is required to be affixed to the motor vehicle equal to the length of time remaining on the person’s suspension. If the length of time remaining is less than three months, the ignition interlock device is required to be affixed to the motor vehicle for three months. Once a person has enrolled in the Ignition Interlock Device Program and obtained an ignition interlock restricted license, the person is subject to Section 56-5-2941 and cannot subsequently choose to serve the suspension.

(c) If a person submitted to a breath test pursuant to Section 56-5-2950 and is convicted of having an alcohol concentration of fifteen one-hundredths of one percent or more, the person shall enroll in the Ignition Interlock Device Program pursuant to Section 56-5-2941, end the suspension, and obtain an ignition interlock restricted license pursuant to Section 56-1-400. The ignition interlock device is required to be affixed to the motor vehicle for six months. The person is not eligible for a provisional license pursuant to Article 7, Chapter 1, Title 56.

(3) For a second offense, a person shall enroll in the Ignition Interlock Device Program pursuant to Section 56-5-2941, end the suspension, and obtain an ignition interlock restricted license pursuant to Section 56-1-400. The ignition interlock device is required to be affixed to the motor vehicle for two years.

(4) For a third offense, a person shall enroll in the Ignition Interlock Device Program pursuant to Section 56-5-2941, end the suspension, and obtain an ignition interlock restricted license pursuant to Section 56-1-400. The ignition interlock device is required to be affixed to the motor vehicle for three years. If the third offense occurs within five years from the date of the first offense, the ignition interlock device is required to be affixed to the motor vehicle for four years.

(5) For a fourth or subsequent offense, a person shall enroll in the Ignition Interlock Device Program pursuant to Section 56-5-2941, end the suspension, and obtain an ignition interlock restricted license pursuant to Section 56-1-400. The ignition interlock device is required to be affixed to the motor vehicle for life.

(6) Except as provided in subsection (A)(4), only those offenses which occurred within ten years, including and immediately preceding the date of the last offense, shall constitute prior offenses within the meaning of this section.

(B) A person whose license is suspended pursuant to this section, Section 56-1-286, 56-5-2945, or 56-5-2951 must be notified by the department of the suspension and of the requirement to enroll in and successfully complete an Alcohol and Drug Safety Action Program certified by the Department of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Services. A person who must complete an Alcohol and Drug Safety Action Program as a condition of reinstatement of his driving privileges or a court-ordered drug program may use the route restricted or special restricted driver’s license to attend the Alcohol and Drug Safety Action Program classes or court-ordered drug program in addition to the other permitted uses of a route restricted driver’s license or a special restricted driver’s license. An assessment of the extent and nature of the alcohol and drug abuse problem, if any, of the person must be prepared and a plan of education or treatment, or both, must be developed for the person. Entry into the services, if the services are necessary, recommended in the plan of education or treatment, or both, developed for the person is a mandatory requirement of the issuance of an ignition interlock restricted license to the person whose license is suspended pursuant to this section. Successful completion of the services, if the services are necessary, recommended in the plan of education or treatment, or both, developed for the person is a mandatory requirement of the full restoration of driving privileges to the person whose license is suspended pursuant to this section. The Alcohol and Drug Safety Action Program shall determine if the person has successfully completed the services. Alcohol and Drug Safety Action Programs shall meet at least once a month. The person whose license is suspended shall attend the first Alcohol and Drug Safety Action Program available after the date of enrollment.

(C) The Department of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Services shall determine the cost of services provided by each certified Alcohol and Drug Safety Action Program. Each person shall bear the cost of services recommended in the person’s plan of education or treatment. The cost may not exceed five hundred dollars for education services, two thousand dollars for treatment services, and two thousand five hundred dollars in total for all services. No person may be denied services due to an inability to pay. Inability to pay for services may not be used as a factor in determining if the person has successfully completed services. A person who is unable to pay for services shall perform fifty hours of community service as arranged by the Alcohol and Drug Safety Action Program, which may use the completion of this community service as a factor in determining if the person has successfully completed services. The Department of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Services shall report annually to the House Ways and Means Committee and Senate Finance Committee on the number of first and multiple offenders completing the Alcohol and Drug Safety Action Program, the amount of fees collected and expenses incurred by each Alcohol and Drug Safety Action Program, and the number of community service hours performed in lieu of payment.

(D) If the person has not successfully completed the services as directed by the Alcohol and Drug Safety Action Program within one year of enrollment, a hearing must be provided by the Alcohol and Drug Safety Action Program whose decision is appealable to the Department of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Services. If the person is unsuccessful in the Alcohol and Drug Safety Action Program, the Department of Motor Vehicles may waive the successful completion of the program as a mandatory requirement of the issuance of an ignition interlock restricted license upon the recommendation of the Medical Advisory Board as utilized by the Department of Motor Vehicles, if the Medical Advisory Board determines public safety and welfare of the person may not be endangered.

(E) The Department of Motor Vehicles and the Department of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Services shall develop procedures necessary for the communication of information pertaining to relicensing, or otherwise. These procedures must be consistent with the confidentiality laws of the State and the United States. If a person’s driver’s license is suspended pursuant to this section, an insurance company shall not refuse to issue insurance to cover the remaining members of the person’s family, but the insurance company is not liable for any actions of the person whose license has been suspended or who has voluntarily turned the person’s license in to the Department of Motor Vehicles.

(F) Except as provided for in Section 56-1-365(D) and (E), the driver’s license suspension periods under this section begin on the date the person is convicted, receives sentence upon a plea of guilty or of nolo contendere, or forfeits bail posted for the a violation of Section 56-5-2930, 56-5-2933, or for the violation of any other a law of this State or ordinance of a county or municipality of this State that prohibits a person from operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of intoxicating liquor, or narcotics; however, a person is not prohibited from filing a notice of appeal and receiving a certificate which entitles him to operate a motor vehicle for a period of sixty days after the conviction, plea of guilty or nolo contendere, or bail forfeiture pursuant to Section 56-1-365(F).

HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 46-348; 1952 Code Section 46-348; 1949 (46) 466; 1956 (49) 1688; 1958 (50) 1662; 1981 Act No. 167, Section 2; 1982 Act No. 355, Section 4; 1983 Act No. 114 Section 2; 1985 Act No. 201, Part II, Section 39B; 1988 Act No. 532, Section 28; 1988 Act No. 658, Part II, Section 38B; 1993 Act No. 181, Section 1421; 1996 Act No; 459, Section 186; 1998 Act No. 258, Section 13; 1998 Act No. 379, Section 1; 1998 Act No. 434, Section 10; 1999 Act No. 100, Part II, Section 11; 1999 Act No. 115, Section 14; 2000 Act No. 390, Sections 27, 28; 2002 Act No. 296, Section 1; 2002 Act No. 348, Section 9; 2002 Act No. 354, Section 3; 2014 Act No. 158 (S.137), Section 15, eff October 1, 2014; 2015 Act No. 34 (S.590), Section 2, eff June 1, 2015.

Code Commissioner’s Note

Pursuant to the direction to the Code Commissioner in 2003 Act No. 51, Section 18, “Department of Motor Vehicles” was substituted for “department” and “Department of Public Safety”.

Effect of Amendment

2014 Act No. 158, Section 15, rewrote subsections (A), (B), (D), (F); and made other nonsubstantive changes.

2015 Act No. 34, Section 2, in (B), deleted “Section” twice in the first sentence; deleted “and successful completion of” before “the services” in the fourth sentence; deleted “and restoration of driving privileges” before “to the person” in the fourth sentence; and added the fifth sentence, relating to successful completion of the services.

SECTION 56-5-2995. Additional assessment on persons convicted of driving under influence of intoxicating liquors or drugs.

(A) In addition to the penalties imposed for a first offense violation of Section 56-5-2930 or 56-5-2933 in magistrate’s or municipal court, an additional assessment of twelve dollars must be added to any punishment imposed which must be remitted to the State Treasurer who shall then distribute the twelve-dollar assessments in the manner provided in Section 14-1-201.

(B) In addition to the penalties and assessments imposed for a second or subsequent violation of Section 56-5-2930, 56-5-2933, or a violation of Section 56-5-2945 in general sessions court, an additional assessment of twelve dollars must be added to any punishment imposed which must be remitted to the State Treasurer who shall then distribute these twelve-dollar assessments in the manner provided in Section 14-1-201.

HISTORY: 1997 Act No. 155, Part II, Section 37A; 2000 Act No. 390, Section 29.

SECTION 56-5-3000. Repealed by 2008 Act No. 201, Section 21, eff February 10, 2009.

Editor’s Note

Former Section 56-5-3000 was entitled “Publication of names of drivers whose licenses are suspended” and was derived from 1962 Code Section 46-350; 1952 Code Section 46-350; 1949 (46) 466.