Union County DUI Guide

DUI Arrest in Union County, SC: Complete Guide

Being arrested for Driving Under the Influence (DUI) in Union County can be a disorienting experience. According to data released by SLED, Union County sees a consistent effort to combat impaired driving. This guide provides immediate, practical information about what happens next, from understanding the booking process at the Union County Detention Center to navigating the South Carolina court system and the SCDMV.

Immediate Steps (First 24 Hours)

Following a DUI arrest in Union County, typically by the Union County Sheriff’s Office or the South Carolina Highway Patrol (SCHP) Troop 4, you will be taken to the Union County Detention Center located at 1657 Jonesville Highway, Union, SC 29379.

Here's a general timeline:

1. Arrest and Transport: You will be transported to the Union County Detention Center.
2. Booking: The booking process involves recording your personal information, photographing you, and fingerprinting you.
3. BAC Testing: You will likely be asked to submit to a breathalyzer or blood test to determine your Blood Alcohol Content (BAC). Refusal can lead to automatic license suspension under South Carolina's implied consent laws.
4. Phone Calls: After booking, you will be allowed to make a phone call. Use this opportunity to contact a licensed bail bondsman or a DUI attorney.
5. Bond Hearing: South Carolina law mandates a bond hearing before a magistrate judge. Bond hearings in Union County Magistrate Court are conducted twice daily. If arrested in the evening or early morning, you may remain incarcerated until the next scheduled hearing.
6. Release: Once bail is posted, the release process at the Union County Detention Center can take one to four hours, depending on facility activity, lockdowns, and shift changes.

The booking/inmate lookup phone number at the Union County Detention Center is (864) 429-2818 (Director Niel McKeown). An online inmate search can be conducted through the South Carolina Department of Corrections (SCDC) system.

Bail for a first-offense DUI in Union County typically ranges from $400 to $1,000. Bail for a second offense is typically $2,100 to $5,100. These amounts are subject to judicial assessment.

Critical Deadlines

Missing deadlines can have severe consequences. Here are some critical deadlines to be aware of:

• ALR Hearing Request: You have only 30 calendar days from the date of your arrest to request an Administrative License Revocation (ALR) hearing with the South Carolina Office of Motor Vehicle Hearings (OMVH) to contest your license suspension.
• Initial Court Appearance: You will receive a notice for your initial court appearance. Missing this appearance can result in a warrant for your arrest.
• ADSAP Enrollment: If convicted of DUI, you will be required to enroll in and complete the Alcohol and Drug Safety Action Program (ADSAP).

DUI Enforcement in Union County

The Union County Sheriff's Office and the SCHP Troop 4 actively enforce DUI laws. Multi-agency checkpoints are conducted periodically.

Local Resources

• Union County Magistrate Court: 210 West Main Street, Union, SC 29379. Phone: (864) 429-1648 (Magistrate Office) / (864) 429-1630 (Clerk of Court). Filing Hours: Monday – Friday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM.
• Union County Detention Center: 1657 Jonesville Highway, Union, SC 29379. Phone: (864) 429-2818.
• SCDMV Union Office: 1000 North Pickney Street, Union, SC 29379. Phone: (864) 427-9278.

To find a licensed bail bondsman, you can contact the SC Department of Insurance or the Union County Clerk of Court.

What Makes Union County Different

Several factors distinguish DUI cases in Union County:

• Courtroom Dynamics: In Union County Magistrate Court, the arresting police officer frequently acts as the prosecuting attorney, presenting a unique challenge for the defense. These officers often receive specialized training from the Solicitor's Office.
• Bond Hearings: The Union County Magistrate Court conducts bail bond hearings only twice daily, potentially leading to overnight incarceration. There is no mechanism for preemptively posting bail before the hearing.
• Communication Challenges: The Union County Detention Center uses CIDNET for inmate communication. Families must create a CIDNET account to speak with the defendant.
• DUI Court: The Sixteenth Judicial Circuit, which includes Union County, operates a Centralized DUI Court.
• IID Installation: Due to the county's rural nature, there are virtually no specialized, state-certified IID installation centers located directly within Union County. Defendants must travel to adjacent metropolitan hubs, such as Spartanburg or Rock Hill, for installations and monthly calibrations.

Contact the Union County Magistrate Court Clerk at (864) 429-1630 to confirm your court date and time.