Recently I attended two intensive DUI seminars in Columbia.  The first seminar was all about the DataMaster DMT.  That’s the breath-testing machine used in all cases in South Carolina that involve a breath test.  The title of this seminar was “Defending a DMT Case without an Expert.”  It was taught by Charles Rathburn, Jr., an attorney with 25 years of experience in DUI defense work.  Mr. Rathburn is a nationally recognized expert on the Datamaster family of breath testing devices. He has been training defense attorneys, prosecutors, judges, and even police across the country on the science and technology behind the operation of the DMT.  He’s been doing this for years.  The training is absolutely indispensable to the professional qualification of any lawyer who holds himself out to the public as a DUI Defense Attorney.  And I do.  That’s why I got this advanced training—to be a more effective advocate for my clients.  I am serious about providing the best possible legal service to the people who come to me for help after they’ve been charged with DUI. 

The other seminar which I attended was the 2019 Reese I. Joye Memorial DUI Defense Seminar.  This very important seminar is put on by the South Carolina Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, a professional organization I belong to as a Sustaining Member.  As you might expect, this organization is made up of some of the finest defense attorneys anywhere.  This seminar provides focused discussion of the latest developments in DUI Law, both state and federal.  But it’s not all about knowing the cases and law.  The seminar also covers matters of pre-trial practice and procedure, such as all-important motions to dismiss or suppress—what they are and how to make the most effective argument before the judge, jury selection and how to get the best jury you can.  The seminar also covered important aspects of trial tactics and strategy, effective negotiation in plea bargains and sentencing.  One of the things I like most about this annual seminar is that chance it gives me to be among my professional colleagues and share our knowledge and experience.  If two heads are better than one, a seminar like this is best of all.

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