My question involves criminal law for the state of: South Carolina
A few weeks ago on our way back home to Florida two of my friends and I (age 20) were driving through South Carolina on 95 when our back right tire blew out causing my vehicle to veer into the median and flip 5 times. Paramedics and an police officer came. My friend in the passenger seat was taken to the ER right away, while I was able to walk out of the car and speak the officer. He found an empty 24 pack box in the back seat and asked me whose it was. I told him I wasn't sure and we were with older friends earlier in the day but assured him none of us had been drinking. We asked him to give us breathalizer tests but he refused. He then asked if he was going to find anymore beer and I told him to check the cooler (buried in the trunk of my Expedition under a pile of clothes and golf clubs), not knowing if there were any left over. Sure enough, there were 6 unopened beers. He wrote my friend (the driver) and I EACH $258 "uniform traffic ticket" for minor in Poss. of Beer. Should we each receive these citations? And once I pay the fine will it be off my record? I cannot take it to court because I live in Florida and it would cost more for me to travel to Yemassee than pay the fine. The alcohol found had no effect on our accident and I found it rude how he gave us the tickets as we were being put on stretchers. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

