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Checklist · Day one

The First 24 Hours After a DUI Arrest in Myrtle Beach

Short answer

In the first day after a DUI arrest, three things matter most: keep every piece of paperwork, find your court date, and check whether you got a notice of suspension, which starts a 30-day deadline to request a license hearing (S.C. Code § 56-5-2951). You don't have to solve the whole case tonight; you just need to avoid losing options.

Last reviewed: October 2026Checked against the South Carolina Code of Laws
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§ 56-5-2951 · 30 days to request a license hearing§ 56-5-2951 · 6 months suspension for a first refusal§ 56-5-2990 · 6 months of interlock after a first conviction§ 56-5-2930 · first-offense fine can't be suspended§ 22-5-910 · DUI convictions can't be expunged§ 56-1-640 · convictions reported to your home state§ 56-5-2953 · the stop must be on videoS.52 · not law as of October 2026

Checklist for the next 24 hours

  • Photograph every document. Ticket, bond paperwork, notice of suspension, tow or rental receipts. Email the photos to yourself.
  • Find the court name, date and time. Set more than one reminder. Which court is my DUI case in?
  • Look for a notice of suspension. If you refused testing or tested .15 or higher, the 30-day clock is already running. Calculate your deadline.
  • Read your driving status carefully. Don't drive if your privilege is suspended.
  • Write a private timeline. Where you were, when you were stopped, which tests you took, what was said. Share it only with your attorney.
  • Get a free case review. Especially if you're a visitor with a flight or drive home soon.
Want someone to look at your paperwork today?

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What not to do

  • Don't post about the night or recap it in a group chat.
  • Don't call the prosecutor or the officer to explain. What you say can be used against you.
  • Don't ignore mail after you get home.
  • Don't assume a first offense is minor. A conviction means ADSAP, six months of ignition interlock and a record that can't be expunged (S.C. Code § 56-5-2990).

If you're a visitor

Leaving town doesn't end a South Carolina case. Read DUI on vacation in Myrtle Beach and do I have to come back for court?

Frequently asked questions

What should I do right after a DUI arrest in Myrtle Beach?

Photograph every document, find your court date, and check for a notice of suspension. If you got one, you have 30 days to request a license hearing. Then get a free case review.

I'm flying home tomorrow. What matters most today?

Photos of every document, the exact court name and date, and a case review so a local attorney knows you're from out of state and can watch the 30-day license deadline.

Is it too early for a case review the day after the arrest?

No. Earlier is better: the license deadline is only 30 days, and video and other evidence are easier to preserve early.

Should I talk about the stop with friends?

Keep the details private. Posts and group chats can surface later. Share the facts only with your attorney.

Related guides

License

Refused a breath test

Automatic 6 to 15 month suspension, the refusal can be used at trial, and how to get driving again.

Read the guide

Arrested in Myrtle Beach or anywhere in Horry County?

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