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Complete information about DUI arrests, impound, bail, courts, and procedures specific to Berkeley County, South Carolina.
15-day license deadline
Last verified: March 31, 2026
Time-sensitive actions after a DUI arrest in Berkeley County. Start with the most critical deadlines.
15-Day Deadline
Request your DMV hearing within 15 days or lose your license automatically. This is the most time-sensitive action.
Impound Fees Add Up Daily
Vehicle impound fees accrue every day. Learn the exact costs, location, and what you need to retrieve your car from Berkeley County.
Get Out of Jail
Understand bail amounts, how bail bonds work, and what happens at your arraignment in Berkeley County.
What to Expect
Arraignment, plea bargaining, diversion programs, and court dates. Know your rights and options in Berkeley County.
Request DMV Hearing
You have 15 days to challenge your license suspension in South Carolina.
Check my deadlineRetrieve Your Vehicle
Impound fees in Berkeley County accrue daily. Calculate your retrieval cost.
See impound feesConsult an Attorney
Expert South Carolina DUI defense can save you thousands in long-term costs.
Browse local attorneysCalculate Financial Impact
See how much this DUI will cost you in insurance hikes and fines.
Estimate total costKey steps and deadlines for your DUI case in Berkeley County
15 days
Prevent automatic license suspension.
ASAP
Avoid daily storage fees.
Ongoing
Navigate criminal proceedings.
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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.
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:
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.
Missing deadlines can have severe consequences. Here are some key dates to keep in mind:
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.
To find a licensed bail bondsman, search the South Carolina Department of Insurance database.
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.
After a DUI arrest in Berkeley County, you have 15 days to request a ALR Hearing to challenge your license suspension. Contact an attorney, get your car out of impound, and prepare for your arraignment.
You have 15 days from your arrest date to request a ALR Hearing in South Carolina. Missing this deadline results in automatic license suspension.
When facing a DUI charge in Berkeley County, finding local, experienced representation is critical. Below is our curated list of verified DUI defense attorneys serving Berkeley County, SC.