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Grooms & Thomas Grooms & Thomas is a Myrtle Beach law firm focused on criminal defense and personal injury in Horry County. Over 25 years of combined experience.

Blue lights in the mirror are stressful for anyone. When an officer suspects impaired driving, a South Carolina DUI stop...
10/16/2026

Blue lights in the mirror are stressful for anyone. When an officer suspects impaired driving, a South Carolina DUI stop generally moves through a few stages. Knowing what each stage involves won't change what is happening, but it can help you understand your rights along the way.

The stop and the video. In a DUI case, South Carolina law generally requires the person's conduct at the scene to be recorded. The recording must begin no later than when the officer activates the blue lights, include any field sobriety tests, and show the person being advised of their Miranda rights at arrest.

Field sobriety tests. An officer may ask a driver to perform roadside field sobriety tests. Under South Carolina law, refusing a field sobriety test does not count as disobeying a police command.

Your rights. You have the right to remain silent and the right to speak with an attorney. Many people in this situation choose to exercise those rights.

Implied consent after an arrest. A person who drives in South Carolina is considered to have consented to breath, blood, or urine testing if arrested for DUI. Before testing, the person must be advised in writing of the right to refuse, and that refusal results in a license suspension of at least six months. A result of 0.15% or more results in a suspension of at least one month. The person also has the right to an independent test at their own expense.

The 30-day window. A person who receives a notice of suspension has 30 days to request a contested case hearing. That deadline runs separately from the criminal case.

Every DUI case is different, and the specific facts of the stop and arrest shape the options. If you or a family member is facing a DUI charge in Myrtle Beach or elsewhere in Horry County, Grooms & Thomas can walk you through each stage. Call (843) 444-5702.

General legal information only; not legal advice. Responsible attorney: J. Stephen Grooms, 4593 Oleander Drive Unit C, Myrtle Beach, SC 29577.

A first drug charge is often a person's first experience with the court system. Being a first-time offender does not mak...
10/10/2026

A first drug charge is often a person's first experience with the court system. Being a first-time offender does not make the charge go away, but South Carolina law includes options that may be available to some people facing a first charge. Knowing they exist can help you understand the road ahead.

How conditional discharge works. For a person with no prior drug convictions who pleads guilty to or is found guilty of a qualifying possession offense, a South Carolina court may, with the person's consent, defer the proceedings without entering a judgment of guilt and place the person on probation. That probation can include a treatment or rehabilitation program. If the terms are completed, the court discharges the person and dismisses the case. Conditional discharge can be used only once.

Conditional discharge applies only to certain possession offenses. It is not available for charges such as possession with intent to distribute or trafficking.

After a dismissal. Once a case is dismissed through conditional discharge, the person may apply to have the arrest and related records expunged from official records. A nonpublic record is retained.

Pretrial Intervention. PTI is a program under the supervision of the circuit solicitor. Admission is at the solicitor's discretion, and state law excludes some people entirely — including anyone previously accepted into an intervention program and anyone charged with DUI or a crime of violence.

Neither option is automatic. Eligibility depends on the charge, the person's history, and the decisions of the court or the solicitor's office.

Every case is different. If you or a family member is facing a first drug charge in Myrtle Beach or elsewhere in Horry County, Grooms & Thomas can review the charge and explain which options may apply. Call (843) 444-5702.

General legal information only; not legal advice. Responsible attorney: J. Stephen Grooms, 4593 Oleander Drive Unit C, Myrtle Beach, SC 29577.

After an arrest, the first question is usually when can the person be released. In South Carolina, that question is answ...
10/08/2026

After an arrest, the first question is usually when can the person be released. In South Carolina, that question is answered at a bond hearing.

Timing. A person charged with a bailable offense must have a bond hearing within 24 hours of arrest. At the J. Reuben Long Detention Center in Horry County, bond hearings are typically held at 9:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m., though the schedule can change.

Who decides. Most bond hearings are conducted by a magistrate. For certain serious charges, such as murder, bond is set by a circuit court judge instead.

The starting point. For noncapital offenses, South Carolina law starts with release on the person's own recognizance — a promise to return to court. The judge can require more, such as a surety bond or restrictions on travel, association, or where the person lives, if release on recognizance would not reasonably assure the person's return to court or would create an unreasonable danger to the community.

What the judge considers. The court looks at the nature of the charge along with the person's family ties, employment, financial resources, character and mental condition, length of residence in the community, criminal record, and any history of missing court. The court must also consider pending charges and whether the person is already out on bond for another offense.

What a bond hearing does not decide. A bond hearing addresses release while the case is pending. It does not decide guilt or innocence. Once bond is posted, state law requires release within a reasonable time — no more than four hours after the bond is delivered to the jail.

Bond decisions depend on the specific charge and circumstances, and every case is different. If you or a family member is facing charges in Horry County, Grooms & Thomas can explain the bond process and what comes next. Call (843) 444-5702.

General legal information only; not legal advice. Responsible attorney: J. Stephen Grooms, 4593 Oleander Drive Unit C, Myrtle Beach, SC 29577.

In a motorcycle accident claim, fault is not just about who caused the crash. The percentage of fault assigned to each p...
10/03/2026

In a motorcycle accident claim, fault is not just about who caused the crash. The percentage of fault assigned to each person can directly affect whether and how much an injured rider can recover.

South Carolina follows modified comparative negligence. An injured person can recover when their own negligence is not greater than the defendant's, but the recovery is reduced by the injured person's percentage of fault. If the injured person's negligence is greater, recovery is barred.

That makes early evidence especially important in a motorcycle case. Photographs, traffic-camera or dash-camera footage, witness information, the crash report, vehicle damage, and the roadway itself can help establish what actually happened before memories fade or physical evidence disappears.

Medical documentation matters for a different reason: it connects the injuries and treatment to the collision and helps show the extent of the losses.

And be careful with a quick settlement. Signing a release generally ends the claim, which is why it matters to understand the injuries, expected treatment, lost income, and other damages before resolving the case.

If you were injured in a motorcycle crash in Myrtle Beach or elsewhere in Horry County, Grooms & Thomas can review the facts and explain how South Carolina's fault rules may apply. Call (843) 444-5702.

General legal information only; not legal advice.

The Myrtle Beach Fall Rally — often called fall Bike Week — runs September 25 through October 4, bringing more motorcycl...
10/01/2026

The Myrtle Beach Fall Rally — often called fall Bike Week — runs September 25 through October 4, bringing more motorcycles onto Grand Strand roads. If a crash happens during the rally, a few South Carolina rules can shape what comes next for an injured rider.

Fault is measured in percentages. South Carolina follows modified comparative negligence. An injured person can recover when their own negligence is not greater than the defendant's, but the recovery is reduced by the injured person's percentage of fault. If the injured person's negligence is greater, recovery is barred.

Evidence can disappear quickly. Rally traffic moves on and the scene changes. Photographs, witness contact information, video, the crash report, vehicle damage, and roadway conditions can all help establish what happened.

Medical care creates a record. Prompt, appropriate medical care documents the injuries and treatment and connects them to the crash.

Helmet rules depend on age. In South Carolina, riders and passengers under 21 must wear an approved protective helmet on a two-wheeled motorized vehicle.

Deadlines apply. South Carolina generally allows three years to file a personal injury lawsuit, though some claims carry different deadlines.

Be careful with a quick settlement. Signing a release generally ends the claim, so it matters to understand the injuries, expected treatment, lost income, and other damages before resolving it.

Every crash is different. If you were injured in a motorcycle crash during the Fall Rally or anywhere in Horry County, Grooms & Thomas can review the facts and explain how South Carolina's rules may apply. Call (843) 444-5702.

General legal information only; not legal advice. Responsible attorney: J. Austin Thomas, 4593 Oleander Drive Unit C, Myrtle Beach, SC 29577.

The Myrtle Beach Fall Rally — often called fall Bike Week — runs September 25 through October 4. With more riders, more ...
09/26/2026

The Myrtle Beach Fall Rally — often called fall Bike Week — runs September 25 through October 4. With more riders, more traffic, and more events across the Grand Strand, it helps to understand how South Carolina handles DUI and drug charges, whether you live here or are visiting.

DUI applies on two wheels. South Carolina's DUI law makes it unlawful to drive a motor vehicle while alcohol, drugs, or a combination of the two materially and appreciably impair a person's faculties to drive. A motorcycle is a motor vehicle under South Carolina law, so the same DUI statute applies to riders.

Implied consent applies, too. A person who drives in South Carolina is considered to have consented to breath, blood, or urine testing if arrested for DUI. Refusing a requested test triggers a license suspension of at least six months, and a result of 0.15% or more triggers a suspension of at least one month. Those administrative suspensions run separately from the criminal case, and there are 30 days from the notice of suspension to request a contested case hearing.

Drug charges follow South Carolina law. South Carolina's drug statutes apply to everyone in the state, including visitors whose home states treat certain substances differently. The specific charge can depend on the substance, the quantity, and the surrounding evidence — the line between simple possession, possession with intent to distribute, and trafficking can turn on those details.

A South Carolina charge stays in a South Carolina court. For visitors, heading home after the rally does not resolve the case, and court dates are set here.

Every case is different, and the facts of the stop, the testing, and the evidence all matter. If you or a family member is facing a DUI or drug charge during the Fall Rally or anywhere in Horry County, Grooms & Thomas can review the facts and explain what comes next. Call (843) 444-5702.

General legal information only; not legal advice. Responsible attorney: J. Stephen Grooms, 4593 Oleander Drive Unit C, Myrtle Beach, SC 29577.

SOS Fall Migration returns to North Myrtle Beach September 18–27. For most people, the week is about s**g dancing, music...
09/19/2026

SOS Fall Migration returns to North Myrtle Beach September 18–27. For most people, the week is about s**g dancing, music, and time with friends. When a night out ends with a citation or an arrest, though, the next steps can feel unfamiliar — especially for visitors who will be heading home once the week is over.

Charges that can come up during a large event include Public Disorderly Conduct, Open Container, and DUI. Under South Carolina law, Public Disorderly Conduct covers being grossly intoxicated, or acting in a disorderly or boisterous manner, in a public place or at a public gathering. It carries a fine of up to $100 or up to 30 days in jail.

Many lower-level charges are handled in summary court — the municipal or magistrate court where the charge was issued. Those courts hear offenses punishable by up to a $500 fine, up to 30 days in jail, or both.

If you receive a charge during SOS:

1. Read the ticket or paperwork carefully. It lists the charge, the court, and the court date.

2. Keep every document you are given in a safe place.

3. Remember that you have the right to remain silent and the right to speak with an attorney. Many people choose to exercise those rights before discussing what happened.

4. Don't ignore the court date, even after you return home. If attending in person will be difficult, talk with an attorney about your options well before the date arrives.

A charge that feels minor can still end in a conviction on your record, and every case turns on its own facts. If you or a family member is facing a charge from SOS week or anywhere in Horry County, Grooms & Thomas can review the situation and explain what to expect. Call (843) 444-5702.

General legal information only; not legal advice.

There is no single rule that makes a South Carolina drug charge a felony. The classification depends on the substance, t...
09/12/2026

There is no single rule that makes a South Carolina drug charge a felony. The classification depends on the substance, the alleged conduct, the quantity, and sometimes prior convictions.

That distinction matters because South Carolina's drug statutes treat different situations very differently. Simple possession of some controlled substances may begin as a misdemeanor. Possession with intent to distribute, distribution, or manufacturing can be felonies even on a first offense. For certain drugs, statutory quantity thresholds can also support trafficking charges based on knowing possession of the amount specified by law.

Prior convictions matter, too — but not in the same way for every substance. Some possession offenses become felonies on a later offense, while others remain misdemeanors or are governed by a separate statute.

The charge on the warrant is only the beginning of the analysis. Drug cases can turn on what was actually found, the weight and type of substance, who had possession or control, what evidence the State claims shows intent, and whether a search or seizure complied with the law.

If you or a family member is facing a felony drug charge in Horry County, Grooms & Thomas can review the specific statute and evidence involved. Call (843) 444-5702.

General legal information only; not legal advice.

After a car accident, the first priority is safety. The second is preserving accurate information about what happened.If...
09/04/2026

After a car accident, the first priority is safety. The second is preserving accurate information about what happened.

If you are involved in a wreck in Myrtle Beach or elsewhere in Horry County:

1. Get out of the travel lane if it is safe to do so. If the vehicles cannot be moved safely, use hazard lights and wait for responders.

2. Call law enforcement when someone is injured, and consider calling for any significant collision. An official report can help document the people, vehicles, location, and circumstances.

3. Photograph the scene before it changes if you can do so safely. Get the vehicles, damage, roadway, traffic controls, visible injuries, and contact information for witnesses.

4. Get appropriate medical care. Some injuries are not obvious at the scene, and delaying care can make both recovery and later documentation harder.

5. Be careful before giving a detailed recorded statement to another driver's insurance carrier or signing a release. You may have duties to cooperate with your own insurer, but that is different from agreeing with another carrier's version of fault or accepting a settlement before you understand your injuries and losses.

Every crash is different. If you were injured in a Myrtle Beach-area collision, Grooms & Thomas can review what happened and explain your options. Call (843) 444-5702.
General legal information only; not legal advice

DUI and DUAC are not the same charge in South Carolina. The difference is what the State has to prove.A DUI charge focus...
08/24/2026

DUI and DUAC are not the same charge in South Carolina.

The difference is what the State has to prove.

A DUI charge focuses on impairment. South Carolina law prohibits driving when alcohol, drugs, or a combination of substances materially and appreciably impair a person's ability to drive. That makes the evidence around the stop important: driving behavior, officer observations, field sobriety testing, video, and chemical-test evidence can all matter.

DUAC — Driving with an Unlawful Alcohol Concentration — is different. It applies when a person drives with an alcohol concentration of 0.08% or more. The State does not have to prove the same level of impaired faculties required for DUI, but the test is not beyond challenge. The timing of the test, the testing procedure, whether required rights were given, the qualifications of the person administering the test, and the reliability of the equipment can all become issues.

South Carolina law also prevents a person from being prosecuted for both DUI and DUAC for the same incident. The penalty structures are similar and can change based on prior offenses and alcohol concentration.

If you are facing a DUI or DUAC charge in Horry County, Grooms & Thomas can review the facts and explain what the State would have to prove. Call (843) 444-5702.

General legal information only; not legal advice.

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4593 Oleander Drive Unit C
Myrtle Beach, SC
29577

Telephone

+18434445702

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