A DUI arrest in Cayce, South Carolina can happen in seconds but impact your life for years. Whether you were stopped on Airport Boulevard after leaving a friend's gathering, pulled over on Charleston Highway following a work event, or detained near the Congaree River after a family celebration, the consequences extend far beyond the night of your arrest.
Available 24/7 - Immediate Response for DUI Arrests
South Carolina's DUI laws carry mandatory penalties that can strip away your driving privileges, your employment opportunities, and your financial stability. Lexington County prosecutors move swiftly, and the evidence against you—breath test results, field sobriety videos, officer observations—begins degrading from the moment you're released.
Matthew McGuire has defended DUI cases across all 46 South Carolina counties for over 30 years, and he knows that your best defense starts with immediate action, not waiting to see what happens. With offices in Columbia just minutes from Lexington County courts, McGuire Law responds immediately when DUI arrests occur.
South Carolina DUI law involves complex scientific evidence, strict procedural requirements, and mandatory penalties that demand specialized knowledge. Matt McGuire has dedicated three decades to mastering every aspect of DUI defense in Lexington County and throughout the state.
Deep understanding of DataMaster DMT machine calibration requirements, maintenance records, and operator certification. We expose technical failures that invalidate breath test results in Cayce DUI cases.
Trained in NHTSA standardized field sobriety test protocols and the specific ways officers deviate from proper administration. We challenge tests conducted on unsuitable Cayce roadway surfaces.
Experience winning DMV administrative hearings to preserve driving privileges during the 30-day window after arrest. We know the procedures that prevent automatic six-month suspensions.
Scientific understanding of alcohol absorption rates that proves your BAC was below the legal limit while driving but rose above it by the time testing occurred at the detention center.
Skilled at obtaining and analyzing dashboard camera footage, body camera recordings, and detention center videos that contradict officer testimony and reveal procedural violations.
Understanding how Cayce DUI arrests typically occur helps identify defense opportunities that officers and prosecutors hope you'll miss.
Traffic stops initiated for minor violations like failing to maintain lane or incomplete stops along Knox Abbott Drive often escalate to DUI investigations when officers claim to detect alcohol odor or observe bloodshot eyes.
Checkpoints positioned near the Cayce-West Columbia border on Charleston Highway require all drivers to stop, but officers must follow specific constitutional protocols that Matt frequently challenges.
Accident investigations involving property damage or injuries automatically trigger DUI suspicion, even when your driving wasn't impaired and other factors caused the collision.
Field sobriety tests administered on uneven pavement, in poor lighting near the Congaree River park areas, or during adverse weather produce unreliable results we can effectively challenge.
Breath test machines at the Lexington County Detention Center require regular calibration and maintenance, and Matt McGuire scrutinizes every aspect of machine certification and officer training records.
Blood draws ordered when breath tests are refused or when serious injuries occurred must follow strict medical protocols, and contamination or improper handling can invalidate results.
Officers often make promises about reduced consequences if you cooperate with testing, but these statements frequently work against your defense.
When a DUI arrest threatens your driving privileges, your career, and your reputation in Cayce, you need an attorney whose values align with your need for aggressive, immediate, and effective representation.
We attack every weakness in the prosecution's DUI case—from the initial stop to the breath test administration. No detail is too small when your driving privileges and freedom are at stake.
DUI arrests happen at night and on weekends. Matt McGuire answers calls around the clock because the first hours after arrest are critical for preserving evidence and protecting your rights.
We tell you the truth about your DUI case—the strengths, weaknesses, and realistic outcomes. You deserve to make informed decisions based on accurate information, not false hope.
We invest in understanding breath test technology, blood alcohol pharmacology, and field sobriety test research so we can effectively challenge the prosecution's scientific evidence.
DUI cases shouldn't come with financial surprises. We provide complete fee information upfront so you know exactly what your defense will cost from the beginning.
Knowing and exercising your rights during a DUI stop can dramatically improve your defense options.
You have the absolute right to decline field sobriety tests without legal penalty, though officers will rarely inform you of this option during roadside investigations.
Breath test refusal triggers automatic six-month license suspension, but this administrative penalty is often preferable to providing prosecutors with concrete BAC evidence above the legal limit.
Remaining silent after arrest protects you from making incriminating statements that prosecutors will use against you, despite officer suggestions that cooperation demonstrates remorse.
Recording your interaction with police using your phone camera is legally protected in South Carolina and provides valuable evidence when officers violate proper procedures.
Never consent to vehicle searches without a warrant, as officers frequently discover open containers or other evidence that compounds your legal troubles.
Requesting an attorney immediately stops all police questioning, and Matt's three decades defending Cayce DUI cases means he knows exactly what prosecutors need to prove.
DUI defense requires an attorney who understands the science behind breath tests, the procedures police must follow, and the strategies that work in Lexington County courts. Matt McGuire brings all of this to every Cayce DUI case.
Three decades defending DUI cases throughout South Carolina means Matt has seen every type of arrest scenario, every prosecutorial strategy, and knows what defenses work in Lexington County.
Call from the Lexington County Detention Center and Matt responds immediately. Your defense begins the moment you contact us—not days later when evidence has degraded.
We obtain and analyze breath test machine maintenance records, officer certification histories, and video evidence that reveals procedural failures and constitutional violations.
Matt McGuire's familiarity with Lexington County judges, prosecutors, and court procedures enables him to navigate local legal culture and identify opportunities other attorneys miss.
Matt's 30-year track record includes countless dismissed charges, reduced penalties, and not guilty verdicts achieved through aggressive constitutional challenges and exposing prosecutorial mistakes.
South Carolina DUI penalties escalate dramatically with each offense and can devastate your career, finances, and daily life.
Employment termination, CDL disqualification, insurance rate increases, and professional license issues can impact your life for years after the criminal case ends.
We use every available legal tool to challenge DUI charges and protect your driving privileges and freedom.
Challenging the initial traffic stop basis requires proving the officer lacked reasonable suspicion, which Matt accomplishes by obtaining dashboard camera footage and exposing inconsistencies in police reports.
Field sobriety test results can be suppressed when officers fail to provide proper instructions, conduct tests on unsuitable surfaces, or ignore medical conditions affecting balance.
Breath test results become inadmissible when machine maintenance records reveal calibration problems, when officers lack proper certification, or when observation periods were insufficient.
Rising blood alcohol defenses demonstrate your BAC was below the legal limit while driving but increased by the time testing occurred hours later at the detention center.
Medical conditions including acid reflux, diabetes, and dental work can cause falsely elevated breath test readings that Matt exposes through expert medical testimony.
DUI arrests raise urgent questions about your rights, your license, and your future. Here are answers to the most pressing concerns Cayce drivers face after arrest.
Breath test refusal triggers automatic six-month license suspension but prevents the prosecution from having concrete BAC evidence. The decision depends on your specific circumstances—call Matt McGuire immediately for guidance.
You have only 30 days from your arrest to request an Administrative License Suspension hearing. Missing this deadline results in automatic six-month suspension regardless of your criminal case outcome.
Your temporary alcohol license allows driving for 30 days after arrest. If you request a DMV hearing within that window, you can continue driving until the hearing is held. Matt handles these hearings regularly.
First offense DUI carries mandatory minimum 48 hours jail or 48 hours public service. Matt negotiates to avoid jail time whenever possible and can often secure public service alternatives.
Yes. DUI charges can be reduced to reckless driving or dismissed entirely based on constitutional violations, insufficient evidence, or technical failures in testing procedures. Matt has achieved these outcomes many times.
The Alcohol and Drug Safety Action Program is mandatory for DUI convictions. It involves assessment, education classes, and possible treatment. Failure to complete ADSAP results in additional license suspension.
DUI defense costs vary based on case complexity and whether trial is necessary. We provide clear fee information upfront with no hidden costs. Call for free to discuss your case and get honest fee estimates.
DUI convictions can result in job loss, especially for positions requiring driving or professional licenses. CDL holders face federal disqualification. Matt fights to prevent convictions that damage careers.
With over 30 years of experience defending South Carolina, McGuire Law provides elite legal representation with national recognition. McGuire Law has grown from a small practice into one of the most trusted law firms in South Carolina. We understand that legal issues can be overwhelming, whether you're facing criminal charges, dealing with injuries from an accident, or navigating family law matters.
McGuire Law is committed to each client's unique situation, and we don't believe in boilerplate solutions. Every case requires careful analysis, strategic planning, and aggressive representation. Our firm combines over 30 years of experience with cutting-edge legal strategies to achieve the best possible outcomes for our clients.
McGuire Law serves all 46 South Carolina counties. We know these counties, their courts, their legal communities, and most importantly, the people who live here. This local knowledge, combined with our legal expertise, gives our clients a significant advantage.
Matt McGuire received his B.A. from the University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill and his J.D. from the University of South Carolina.
Matt has served as a law clerk for a State Circuit Judge, an Assistant Attorney General for the State of South Carolina, and an Assistant Solicitor in the Fifth Circuit Solicitor's Office.
Matt is a proud husband, father of two, and a long-time resident of Richland County, South Carolina.
Every hour you delay contacting a Cayce DUI attorney strengthens the prosecution's case and limits your defense options. Call McGuire Law now and experience the difference that personal, aggressive, and effective legal representation can make in your DUI defense case.
Available 24/7/365 - Immediate Response for DUI Arrests
