Criminal Defense
Criminal Defense in Columbia
Facing criminal charges can be a very embarrassing and scary experience. The inevitable uncertainty that you experience when wondering what the future may hold, whether you will be able to see your loved ones again, or if you will be convicted of a crime you did not commit and are not guilty of can be daunting. There are many cases in which individuals are wrongfully arrested and charged with crimes they did not commit, and there are also cases when innocent people are convicted. To ensure that this does not happen to you, you need skillful and highly experienced representation on your side.
Criminal Offenses in South Carolina
Operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of impairing substances, such as alcohol, is a criminal offense in South Carolina. Being stopped by a law enforcement official and subjected to a DUI investigation, including but not limited to a field sobriety test and submitting a breath sample for testing, can be traumatic for a driver in the State of South Carolina. If you are arrested and charged with this offense, then you could face fines, jail time, probation, license suspension, and a criminal record for conviction. Our firm can provide you with professional representation through every phase of the litigation of your charge of DUI, from your arrest to a trial. We will protect your rights, investigate whether the arresting officer conducted a legal traffic stop, and proper DUI investigation. It is vitally important that you have skillful representation on your side.
Drug crimes such as possession, cultivation, or distribution can result in hefty fines, jail time, and other penalties upon conviction. Depending on the class of drug in question, and the amount that was found at the time of your arrest, you will face more or less serious penalties upon conviction. Many indictments for serious drug offenses result from months of investigation by local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies. This volume of evidence should be reviewed by our experienced attorney, who understands how to interpret the information and analyze your case. Our firm has experience in handling these various criminal charges, and we can put our considerable knowledge to work for you in your case.
South Carolina Criminal Sentencing
If you have been charged with a criminal offense, then you could face serious penalties for conviction of this charge. Depending on the crime for which you are charged, you could face felony or misdemeanor penalties. The penalties for various criminal convictions in this state are as follows:
- Class A Felony — Up to 30 years in prison
- Class B Felony — Up to 25 years in prison
- Class C Felony — Up to 20 years in prison
- Class D Felony — Up to 15 years in prison
- Class E Felony — Up to 10 years in prison
- Class F Felony — Up to 5 years in prison
- Class A Misdemeanor — Up to 3 years in jail
- Class B Misdemeanor — Up to 2 years in jail
- Class C Misdemeanor — Up to 1 year in jail
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