After a DUI arrest in Myrtle Beach, a person is handcuffed and placed in a patrol vehicle for transport to the county jail. Everything said and done during that ride is recorded on camera and can later be used as evidence. The Greg McCollum Complete Legal Defense Team helps people understand what happens during this process and what it may mean for their case.
Handcuffed and Placed in the Patrol Car
Once a DUI arrest is made in Myrtle Beach, the person is handcuffed behind their back. From there, they are placed into the arresting officer’s patrol car for the drive to the county jail.
In a standard police vehicle, the person is placed in the backseat. The ride is not comfortable, since the hands remain cuffed behind the back for the entire trip.
Watch Greg McCollum explain this in detail
Highway Patrol Vehicles Work Differently
Not every DUI arrest in the Myrtle Beach area involves the same seating arrangement. When the arrest is made by the South Carolina Highway Patrol, the person may be placed in the front seat of the vehicle rather than the back..
Regardless of which seat a person is placed in, the situation is the same: they are restrained, uncomfortable, and being transported toward booking at the county jail.
The Camera in the Patrol Car Records Everything
Every patrol car involved in a Myrtle Beach DUI arrest has a camera pointed directly at the person in custody. That camera runs for the entire trip to the county jail, a drive that takes about 35 minutes.
During that time, anything a person says or does is recorded. This footage can serve two purposes. It can protect the person in some circumstances, but it can also be used as evidence against them in a DUI case.
Why This Matters for a Myrtle Beach DUI Case
The period between arrest and arrival at the county jail is not a private moment. Statements made in the patrol car, whether to the officer or simply out loud, may become part of the evidence reviewed in a DUI case. People facing a DUI charge in Myrtle Beach benefit from understanding that the camera is running from the moment they are placed in the vehicle until they reach the jail.
Frequently Asked Questions
Am I being recorded in the patrol car after a DUI arrest? Yes. Patrol cars used for DUI arrests in the Myrtle Beach area are equipped with a camera that records the person in custody for the full drive to the county jail.
Does it matter which seat I’m placed in after a DUI arrest? The seating position can vary. A standard police vehicle places the person in the backseat, while South Carolina Highway Patrol vehicles place the person in the front seat. In either case, the person remains handcuffed and recorded.
How long is the drive to the county jail after a DUI arrest in Myrtle Beach? The drive to the county jail takes about 35 minutes, and the in-car camera records the entire trip.
Can what I say in the patrol car be used against me? Yes. Anything said or done while in the patrol car is recorded and may later be used as evidence in a DUI case.
What should I do if I’ve been arrested for DUI in Myrtle Beach? Speaking with an attorney as soon as possible can help a person understand their rights and how the details of their arrest, including any recorded statements, may affect their case.
Facing a DUI charge in Myrtle Beach can feel overwhelming, especially once a person realizes how much of the arrest process is being documented. With 30 years of experience and a background as a former prosecutor, Greg McCollum brings a practical understanding of how DUI cases are built and how they can be challenged. The Greg McCollum Complete Legal Defense Team works to help clients understand each step of the process from arrest through resolution.
If you have questions about a Myrtle Beach DUI arrest, call the Greg McCollum Complete Legal Defense Team at (843) 626-5480. Consultations are confidential.
