Horry County DUI Guide

DUI Arrest in Horry County, SC: Complete Guide

Being arrested for Driving Under the Influence (DUI) in Horry County can be a disorienting experience. In 2024 alone, there were 802 DUI arrests in Horry County, a figure substantially above the median for South Carolina counties. This guide provides immediate, practical information about what to expect and the steps you need to take to navigate the legal process.

Immediate Steps (First 24 Hours)

After a DUI arrest in Horry County, the arresting officer will transport you to the J. Reuben Long Detention Center, the primary detention facility for Horry County. The Horry County Police Department (HCPD), Horry County Sheriff’s Office, South Carolina Highway Patrol (SCHP) Troop 5, Myrtle Beach Police Department, North Myrtle Beach Police Department, and Conway Police Department are the primary agencies making DUI arrests.

The booking process involves:

• Fingerprinting and Photographing: Your fingerprints and a mugshot will be taken.
• Inventory of Personal Belongings: All personal items will be inventoried and stored.
• Health Screening: A brief medical screening is conducted.

You will typically be allowed to make a phone call to a licensed bail bondsman or family member shortly after booking. Bond hearings are often held at the detention center. Hon. William Nathan Hutson presides over the Centralized Bond Court at the J. Reuben Long Detention Center. You can find information regarding bond at the Horry County Sheriff’s Office.

Critical Deadlines

Several critical deadlines begin immediately after a DUI arrest:

• ALR Hearing Request: You have only 30 days from the date of the "Notice of Suspension" to request an Administrative License Revocation (ALR) hearing from the SC Office of Motor Vehicle Hearings (OMVH).
• Court Appearance: The date for your initial court appearance will be provided on your release paperwork.
• License Suspension: If you refused a breathalyzer or your BAC was 0.15% or higher, your license will be suspended. Refusal leads to an immediate six-month suspension, while a BAC over 0.15% triggers a 30-day suspension.

DUI Enforcement in Horry County

Law enforcement in Horry County actively targets impaired driving through various methods. Sobriety checkpoints are frequently set up on major roadways, including:

• U.S. Highway 17 (near Myrtle Beach and North Myrtle Beach)
• U.S. Highway 501
• South Carolina Highway 9
• Ocean Boulevard and Myrtle Beach Boulevard zones
• Thoroughfares surrounding Coastal Carolina University in Conway

Enforcement is intensified during peak tourist season, spring break, and major holidays like the Fourth of July, Memorial Day, Labor Day, and New Year's Eve. Nighttime hours (8:00 PM to 6:00 AM) on Friday and Saturday nights are particularly targeted. Horry County agencies also participate in Alcohol Enforcement Teams (AET) and national crackdown events like "Target Zero" and "Saturation Saturday."

Local Resources

• Horry County Centralized Magistrate Court / 15th Judicial Circuit: 1201 3rd Ave, Conway, SC 29526. Clerk Phone: 843-915-5080 (Clerk of Court Main Line) / 843-915-5145 (Magistrate). Horry County Clerk of Court. Juror Information
• SC Office of Motor Vehicle Hearings (OMVH): Edgar A. Brown Building, 1205 Pendleton St., Suite 325, Columbia, SC 29201. Phone: 803-734-3201. SC Office of Motor Vehicle Hearings.
• Horry County Police Department: Horry County Police Department.
• Horry County Sheriff's Office: Horry County Sheriff's Office.
• Finding a DUI Attorney: To find a qualified DUI attorney, you should seek referrals from trusted sources and conduct thorough research to ensure they have experience with Horry County DUI cases.

What Makes Horry County Different

Horry County has a remarkably low DUI conviction rate, with only 31% of cases resulting in a conviction between January 2019 and March 2024, according to a MADD court monitoring initiative. This is due to several factors:

• Strict Procedural Requirements: South Carolina law mandates continuous video recording of the entire DUI arrest sequence. Any technical failure or deviation can lead to evidence suppression or dismissal.
• Officer as Prosecutor: In many magistrate and municipal courts, the arresting officer acts as the primary prosecutor. If the officer leaves their position or fails to appear in court, the case is often dismissed.
• Victim Notification Delays: If the DUI arrest resulted from a collision and a victim is involved, the court must fulfill its statutory victim notification obligations. This administrative requirement often delays proceedings and can result in a longer period of pre-trial incarceration.
• Judicial Device Policy: The Fifteenth Judicial Circuit enforces a draconian and unforgiving electronic device policy. Cellular telephones and pagers are strictly prohibited from entering the courtrooms for any non-attorney personnel. Retrieval of a confiscated device requires the violator to proceed to the District Court Clerk and pay a punitive $25.00 monetary penalty.