Picture this: you are driving down a familiar South Carolina road on a Friday night when flashing lights appear up ahead. Your heart skips a beat. A DUI checkpoint? Your stomach tightens and your mind starts racing. At Truslow & Truslow, P.A., we understand that moment all too well. This post will walk you through what to expect at a checkpoint, what you are required to do, and when it is time to call for legal help.
Why DUI Checkpoints Happen in South Carolina
DUI checkpoints, also known as sobriety checkpoints, are completely legal in South Carolina. They are backed by both state laws and federal constitutional guidelines. These checkpoints are not random. Law enforcement typically plans them for weekends, holidays, or high-traffic nights when drinking and driving incidents tend to rise.
Their primary goal is not to trap people. It is to keep roads safe and prevent tragedies. Officers are stationed in visible areas with signs and proper lighting. Although the experience may feel intrusive, knowing what to expect ahead of time can help you stay calm and collected.
What Officers Notice at a Checkpoint
As you pull up, officers observe your driving behavior. They watch for signs like weaving between lanes, making overly cautious stops, or reacting nervously. Once you stop, they pay attention to physical and behavioral cues. This includes bloodshot eyes, the smell of alcohol, slurred speech, or slow movements.
You may be asked a few simple questions such as where you are coming from or if you have had anything to drink. These questions seem casual but are designed to help officers assess your sobriety. If something about your answers or behavior raises suspicion, you may be asked to pull over for further evaluation.
What You Are Required to Do
At a checkpoint, you must present your driver’s license, proof of insurance, and vehicle registration if asked. That is the legal minimum. Cooperating respectfully and staying polite helps keep things smooth.
However, you are not legally required to answer questions about where you have been or whether you have consumed alcohol. A simple and respectful “I prefer not to answer” is entirely within your rights.
As for field sobriety tests like walking in a straight line or standing on one leg, those are voluntary. The same goes for the preliminary breath test given on the roadside. Refusing these tests will not automatically result in arrest, but it may raise suspicion.
Keep in mind that South Carolina follows an implied consent law. If you are arrested and refuse to take a breath or blood test at the station, your license could be suspended automatically. So the moment of refusal carries real consequences.
What Happens If You Are Suspected of DUI
If the officer believes you may be under the influence, they may direct you to a separate area. There, you might be asked to take more field sobriety tests or a breathalyzer test.
If you fail or refuse these tests and the officer has enough cause, you will likely be arrested and taken in for further chemical testing. At that point, what you say and how you act can impact your case.
This is where details matter. Were you read your rights? Was the breathalyzer properly calibrated? Was the checkpoint operated according to legal standards? Every step can be reviewed by a defense attorney, and any misstep by law enforcement could change the outcome of your case.
How Truslow & Truslow, P.A. Can Help
If you are facing DUI charges, you are not alone. At Truslow & Truslow, we know how to examine checkpoint procedures, field test results, and arrest protocols with a fine-tooth comb. We ask the hard questions that prosecutors sometimes hope no one will notice.
Was the checkpoint lawfully established? Were you properly informed of your rights? Were the sobriety tests administered correctly? The answers to these questions can be the difference between a conviction and a dismissal.If you or someone you know has been stopped or arrested at a checkpoint, call Truslow & Truslow PA. We are ready to help you take back control of your future.