What are This Office's Qualifications to Handle a DUI Case?

Learn More about the Law Office of James R. Snell, Jr., LLC

The Law Office of James R. Snell, Jr., LLC, was founded in 2004 by criminal defense attorney James Snell. Mr. Snell has experience in the resolution of both misdemeanor and felony DUI cases in Lexington and other courts throughout South Carolina. Mr. Snell is the past-president of the Lexington County Bar Association (2008). He has given presentations for the South Carolina Bar, along with other associations on legal topics, including DUI defense strategies. We accept cases in all South Carolina counties.

We have a track record of achieving results for our clients in hundreds of DUI cases including legal dismissals, not guilty verdicts after both jury and non-jury trial, negotiated dismissals with the prosecutor, and reductions to reckless driving or minor traffic offenses. Although no attorney can legally or ethically promise you a specific result, we will not hesitate to fight your case fully in court if it is not settled to your satisfaction. We are in court regularly – and are constantly negotiating with officers and prosecutors in DUI matters, and appearing in front of area DUI court judges.

All DUI cases in our office are fully evaluated personally by James R. Snell, Jr., as well as a second attorney. This ensures that all potential issues and defense strategies are identified- and nothing slips through the cracks. Our clients have the benefit of this two-lawyer review BEFORE they go to court and have to make any important decisions about their case. All DUI cases also come with the promise that if our client’s charges are not dismissed or reduced to their satisfaction, we will fully contest it in court. No case is too difficult, complex, or time-consuming for us to fully challenge.

James Snell wrote the Book on SC DUI Defense

In 2017 James Snell’s book, “South Carolina DUI Defense: The Law and Practice” was released by Lawyers & Judges Publishing Company. This was written as a treatise on South Carolina DUI law, court procedures, defenses, and legal strategies. This book is co-authored with attorney James Nesci of Arizona, and documents how complicated and technical DUI law has become. This includes extensive coverage of scientific issues related to impaired driving prosecution including breath, urine and blood testing procedures.

Mr. Snell's Professional Memberships

Mr. Snell is a general member of the National College for DUI Defense. This is a national group of dedicated DUI defense attorneys who are affiliated for the purposes of networking and education. He has attended continuing legal education seminars on the topic of DUI defense sponsored by the College including the 2013 seminar held in Las Vegas, Nevada and the 2014 seminar held in San Diego, California. He is also a graduate of the National College of DUI Summer Session held at the Harvard Law School. At these seminars Mr. Snell has had the opportunity to learn the latest in DUI defense strategies from some of the top sources in the country. This includes advanced strategies dealing with disputed blood, breath, and field sobriety test results.

Recent coursework undertaken by James Snell includes topics such as:

• Marijuana DUI Defense
• Advanced Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement (ARIDE)
• DUI Detection and Field Sobriety Testing
• Pharmaceutical DUI Defense
• Blood Analysis for DUI
• Datamaster DMT (the breath machine)

In 2013, Mr. Snell completed a course in DUI Detection and Field Sobriety Training pursuant to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration standards. These are the same course materials and training format provided to South Carolina law enforcement, including the Highway Patrol, Sheriff's Department and local police. At this course, Mr. Snell received instruction in the three phases of DUI investigation, as well as in the proper administration of field sobriety tests to include the Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus (HGN), Walk and Turn, and the One Leg Stand.

In 2017, Mr. Snell completed the Advanced Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement (ARIDE) course and passed the completion examination. This is the same course material and training format provided to area DUI enforcement officers. The ARIDE program is designed to give police officers the training that they need to identify alcohol and drug impairment. This specifically covers impairment based on prescription drugs, marijuana, cocaine, and other substances.

Mr. Snell's representation has created legal precedent that is now applied throughout South Carolina. In 2011, in the case State vs. Johnson, Mr. Snell defended a Lexington County motorist arrested for DUI by the South Carolina Highway Patrol. This case eventually made its way to the South Carolina Court of Appeals, which held in a published decision that the officer's failure to fully videotape the breath test procedures violated S.C. Code § 56-5-2953, and that the proper remedy is a dismissal of the charge. The Court held that the original Magistrate's ruling to suppress part of the evidence was erroneous, and as a result Mr. Snell's client's DUI case was dismissed.

In addition to James Snell’s qualifications, every DUI case is also reviewed by attorney Vicki Koutsogiannis. Having two lawyers review your case can help ensure that no possible defense or favorable evidence was overlooked. Ms. Koutsogiannis’ qualifications include:

• Successful trial experience in defeating DUI charges
• Member of the National College of DUI Defense
• Graduate of the NDCC Summer Session held at the Harvard Law School
• Advanced Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement (ARIDE) Course
• DUI Detection & Field Sobriety Testing Course
• Specific Continuing Legal Education coursework in the field of DUI Defense
• National Trial Lawyers Association “Top 40 under 40” membership
• Avvo 10/10 Rating