My boyfriend had been arrested for DUI in SC, but we paid his bail in cash, can he leave to go to NJ for a funeral?

This is an excellent question for his defense counsel. He or she will know the restrictions placed on your friend by the court when the bail amount and conditions were set.

Most bonds have the condition of the defendant not leaving the state. Is he represented? Does his bond paperwork make any exceptions? He may wish to consult with counsel.

Typically there is a requirement that you remain in the state when you are out on bond. The fact that you did not use a bondsman does not control the issue in this instance because it is the prosecutor/state that your boyfriend will need to seek permission to leave the state. Even if you had used a bondsman they are not the ones that have the power to grant you permission to leave the state (they may tell that you must get their permission but that is related to the contract you have with them and is different than the terms of the bond which you have with the state). It is possible for your boyfriend to be granted permission but he will most likely need to retain a lawyer that can look into that for him.

If he doesn't have a lawyer (and he should!), then he needs to contact the arresting officer or the local prosecutor (if he has requested a jury trial, then a prosecutor will be assigned to his case) to ask for permission. In all my years, I've never had one say no! For more information, I have attached a link to my free ebook on DUI in South Carolina. Hopefully that will answer any other questions you may have about his pending charge.