Criminal Defense

What if the Police Mishandle my Investigation?
It’s a frightening thought when the people we trust to protect us, uphold justice and serve our communities mishandle an investigation. Unfortunately, it happens more often than we’d like to think. The consequences of police mishandling an investigation can be severe and long-lasting. Innocent persons may be falsely accused and convicted, leading to ruined lives……

What Is the Key Difference Between Being Charged and Indicted?
Have you ever heard of someone getting charged with a crime, only to find out later that they were actually indicted? What does this even mean? Many people use the terms "charged" and "indicted" interchangeably, but in legal terms, there is a big difference between the two. In short, being charged means an individual is……

What Are the Penalties for Shoplifting in South Carolina?
Shoplifting is a petty crime and could get you some jail time. South Carolina takes these theft charges seriously. We all know what stealing means. Most people think that stealing and shoplifting are the same things, but they aren’t. Under South Carolina’s laws, the word "thefts" refers to actions taken against merchants or businesses. In……

What is an Arraignment?
If you have never been prosecuted nor had a family member or friend that has been prosecuted arraignment may be a new term. However, you may have heard of the term initial arraignment from an investigative drama or a TV show. So, what is an arraignment? An arraignment occurs when a defendant makes their first……

Zero Tolerance Law in South Carolina
Zero-tolerance laws have been instituted by the government in South Carolina as well as in many other states. The zero tolerance laws mention issues regarding drinking and driving. According to the zero tolerance laws the state prohibits individuals below the legal drinking age of 21 years from consuming alcohol and later on driving. It is……

South Carolina Criminal Trespassing Laws
In South Carolina, the definition of trespassing is "the unauthorized entry onto the land or building of another". The statute renders it unlawful to enter private property without the explicit consent of the property owner or person in possession of the property after being warned not to enter, or being asked to vacate the premises.……

Ignition Interlock Device Program in SC
Individuals convicted of driving under the influence in the state of South Carolina may be eligible for the Ignition Interlock Device (IID) program. In this program, DUI offenders have a device installed on their vehicle that monitors their Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) levels. Drivers blow into the device in order to be able to start……

Understanding Your 4th Amendment Rights
The 4th Amendment to the United States Constitution offers protections to the people relating to their reasonable right to privacy. In particular, this prevents government overreach in the form of unreasonable searches and seizures of property. While this is not a blanket protection against all forms of searches, it does outline what does and does……

Understanding Your Rights When Arrested
Every individual has certain rights during the time that they are being arrested and it is important for you to understand your right when you are being arrested. The article will help you to understand what happens when you get arrested and what your rights are during the process of arrest in Greenville, South Carolina.……

Minor in Possession of Alcohol Charges in South Carolina
Underage drinking is a significant issue in South Carolina and is handled seriously by law enforcement and the court system. Surveys have shown that 20% of teenagers throughout the state drink alcohol, while over half of that number will engage in binge drinking. Being convicted of possession of alcohol while underage in SC can have……