You will need a criminal defense attorney when you are detained by the police or placed under arrest. If this happens to you in Columbia, South Carolina, contact our team at Koon Cook & Walters, immediately.

Remain calm. Do not answer any questions about where you have been or what you have been doing. If you are asked to take a field sobriety test (FST), remember that you are not required to submit to these under South Carolina law and may decline. If you are ultimately arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence, invoke your right to remain silent and contact our team at Koon Cook & Walters, right away.

You can and should refuse consent if the police ask to search your home or car. To search your car or home without your consent, the police must generally either have a warrant or be able to demonstrate through probable cause that a warrantless search is justified before they can proceed.