Greenville Traffic Violation Attorneys

Trial-Ready Traffic Defense for Greenville, SC Drivers

A traffic ticket in South Carolina isn’t simply a fine you pay and forget. Paying it is treated as an admission of guilt to a criminal offense, and the consequences can follow: points on your driving record, higher insurance premiums, and potentially a suspended license. More serious charges like reckless driving or DUI carry steep fines and the possibility of incarceration.

At Sarratt & Horta Vorse, P.A., we approach traffic cases the same way we approach every case: prepared for trial from day one. Our criminal defense attorneys invest the time to analyze every detail, build a strategy around your specific circumstances, and explain your options clearly so you always know where you stand. Whether you’re dealing with a speeding ticket that threatens your license or a felony-level charge, we’re ready to go to court when that’s what it takes to protect your rights, freedom, and future.

Call (864) 635-6145 or contact us online to schedule a consultation with our Greenville traffic violation lawyers. Se habla español.

South Carolina’s Driver’s License Point System, Explained

Under S.C. Code Section 56-1-720, the SCDMV assigns a specific number of points to your driving record upon conviction for a traffic violation. The more serious the offense, the higher the point value.

How Points Accumulate & Suspensions Are Triggered

Reach 12 or more points and the SCDMV automatically suspends your license unless you challenge it within ten days of receiving notice. Suspension length scales with your total: 12 to 15 points means three months off the road; 16 to 17 points means four months; 18 to 19 points means five months; 20 or more points means six months. Points are reduced by half after one year and disappear entirely after two years from the conviction date. Drivers can also reduce their point total by four points once every three years by completing an approved defensive driving course.

South Carolina updated its point schedule effective September 1, 2025, under the South Carolina Hands-Free and Distracted Driving Act, which added handheld device use while driving as a point-carrying violation. Out-of-state drivers ticketed in South Carolina should also know their home state DMV may receive notice of the conviction and apply points under its own schedule.

How We Challenge a Suspension

If you’re facing a license suspension because of accumulated points, we can challenge it by requesting a contested case hearing with the Office of Motor Vehicle Hearings within that ten-day window. At the hearing, we present arguments and evidence that the suspension is unwarranted or that you don’t meet the criteria for suspension. Even if the suspension is upheld, we can guide you through applying for a route-restricted license, which allows you to drive legally to and from work and school.

Why Greenville Clients Choose Sarratt & Horta Vorse, P.A. for Traffic Defense

Most traffic matters never reach a courtroom, but we prepare every case as though they will. That mindset changes how we work: we dig into the facts, challenge the assumptions, and build a record that can give you leverage whether the case resolves early or goes to trial. Thoroughness and client education aren’t add-ons to our process. They are the process.

Maria Horta Vorse is one of only a handful of native Spanish-speaking attorneys in Greenville, SC. She brings that same depth of preparation and client-centered approach to the Spanish-speaking community, so nothing is lost in translation when it matters most.

Common Types of Traffic Violations in South Carolina

While some traffic offenses are treated as infractions, many are classified as criminal misdemeanors in South Carolina, and some are charged as felonies. The severity of the charge and resulting penalties varies significantly by offense type and prior record, which is why getting legal advice early can make a real difference.