Berkeley County DUI Guide

DUI Arrest in Berkeley County, SC: Complete Guide

Being arrested for DUI in Berkeley County can be a disorienting experience. In 2024, the Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office made 111 DUI arrests, with the Traffic Unit accounting for 98 of those arrests. This guide provides immediate, practical steps to navigate the process, from understanding your rights to getting your life back on track.

Immediate Steps (First 24 Hours)

Following a DUI arrest in Berkeley County, you'll be transported to the Hill-Finklea Detention Center located at 300 California Avenue, Moncks Corner, SC 29461. The booking process involves:

• Initial Processing: Your personal information is recorded, and you'll be photographed and fingerprinted.
• Medical Screening: A brief medical evaluation ensures you don't require immediate medical attention.
• Phone Calls: You will typically be allowed to make a limited number of phone calls after booking is complete.
• Bond Hearing: Bond hearings are held twice daily, at 9:00 AM and 6:30 PM. If you are booked after the morning hearing, you may wait until the evening session.

The Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO), South Carolina Highway Patrol (SCHP) Troop 6, the Goose Creek Police Department, the Hanahan Police Department, and the Moncks Corner Police Department are the primary agencies making DUI arrests in the county. After your arrest, expect the entire booking and release process to take between 1 to 4 hours after your paperwork and bail are processed.

Critical Deadlines

Missing deadlines can have severe consequences. Here are some key dates to keep in mind:

• ALR Hearing Request: You typically have 30 days from the date of your arrest to request an Administrative License Revocation (ALR) hearing with the South Carolina DMV. This hearing challenges the suspension of your driver's license.
• Court Appearance Date: Your initial court date will be listed on your citation. Missing this date can result in a warrant for your arrest.
• License Suspension: If you do not request an ALR hearing or if you lose the hearing, your license will be suspended according to SC law §56-5-2930.

DUI Enforcement in Berkeley County

Law enforcement in Berkeley County actively targets impaired driving. Known checkpoint locations include Edgebrook at Myers, the Interstate 26 West Exit 194 ramp, Gleason Drive, the intersection of S.C. Highway 402, and Treeland Drive. Enforcement peaks on weekend nights (Friday and Saturday from 9:00 PM to 3:00 AM) and during holiday periods.

The BCSO maintains a dedicated DUI Enforcement patrol division, supplemented by a K-9 unit. They also participate in the statewide "Sober or Slammer!" campaigns.

Local Resources

• Berkeley County Magistrate Court (Central Summary Court): 223 North Live Oak Drive, Moncks Corner, SC 29461. Clerk Phone: 843-719-4050. Filing Hours: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM, Monday - Friday.
• Hill-Finklea Detention Center: 300 California Avenue, Moncks Corner, SC 29461. Booking/Inmate Lookup Phone: 843-719-4876 (Booking) / 843-719-4546 (Main Line). Online Inmate Search
• Berkeley County Sheriff's Office (Non-Emergency): 843-719-4465.

To find a licensed bail bondsman, search the South Carolina Department of Insurance database.

What Makes Berkeley County Different

A Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) report from 2019-2024 revealed a surprisingly low 33% guilty conviction rate for DUI or Driving with an Unlawful Alcohol Concentration (DUAC) in Berkeley County. This is largely attributed to South Carolina's strict mandatory video recording statutes, where even minor technical deviations in video evidence can compromise the prosecution's case.

Also, keep in mind the "Surcharge Trap." While the base fine for a first-offense DUI with a BAC between .10% and .15% may be $500, mandatory state surcharges increase the total amount to over $1,000.

Defendants released from the Hill-Finklea Detention Center after hours or on weekends will only have the clothes on their back. They will not have access to their house keys, vehicle keys, or payment methods until the next business day. Plan accordingly.