Constitutional Rights in Criminal Cases
If you face criminal charges, it’s important to know that the U.S. Constitution provides several protections to ensure fair treatment. These constitutional rights are designed to safeguard your freedoms and ensure that justice is served. From the right to remain silent to protection against unreasonable searches, these fundamental rights play...
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Post-Conviction Relief Seeking Appeals, Pardons, and Sentence...
After a conviction, there are still steps you can take to change the outcome. Post-conviction relief options, including appeals, pardons, and sentence reductions, offer ways to challenge and potentially alter your situation. By exploring these options, you can work towards a more favorable resolution. Here’s what you need to know...
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Investigating Police Misconduct and Defending Against Unlawful...
Experiencing police misconduct, such as an unlawful arrest or excessive force, can leave you feeling powerless and uncertain about your next steps. It is essential to respond promptly and take appropriate actions to protect your rights. By documenting evidence and seeking the proper legal channels, you can challenge these injustices....
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Navigating DUI Charges Legal Strategies and Consequences...
Being charged with a DUI in South Carolina can turn your life upside down. The legal process can feel intimidating, and the potential penalties are severe. It’s normal to feel anxious and uncertain about what lies ahead. By breaking down what DUI charges entail, explaining the steps you need to...
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Understanding the Bail Process How Bail Works...
Being arrested for a crime can be a scary and disorienting experience. If you have found yourself in this situation, you’re likely wondering what to do next. In most criminal cases, the bail hearing comes after the arrest. If you’re confused about how the process works in South Carolina, learn...
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Exploring Self-Defense Laws and When You Can...
Many people in the U.S. have heard of self-defense laws, which can protect you from criminal prosecution for protecting yourself, your property, or someone else. If you were criminally charged for using force against another person in what you felt was an act of self-defense, you may be confused about...
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Legal Rights and Reporting Procedures of Sexual...
Victims of sexual assault do not often speak up for certain reasons. And though they have legal rights whenever they do, there are also specific procedures they must follow to properly report their assault. Criminal charges for sexual assault are serious, and their repercussions can threaten a person’s livelihood and...
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Legal Consequences and Defense Options of Assault...
Assault and battery is a serious crime that can lead to prison time, fines, and serious collateral damage anywhere throughout the U.S. Fortunately, criminal defense attorneys can provide those accused with options that can lead to mitigated sentences, reduced charges, or even charges that are outright dismissed or dropped. Assault...
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Common Myths About Criminal Law Debunked
The popularity of crime dramas in the U.S. has taught Americans a lot about the criminal justice system. Unfortunately, some of those teachings are incorrect. Whether from television shows or other sources, there are many myths about the justice system that are accepted as fact. Believing in misconceptions about the...
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Cyberbullying and the Law Protecting Victims and...
Sometimes, new technologies require the development of new laws. There is nothing new about bullying, but cyberbullying is a problem that society is still figuring out how to deal with. It includes harassment, intimidation, or threats that happen on the internet or other forms of mobile technology. There are no...
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In re Social Media Adolescent Addiction/Personal Injury...
This is a Multi-District Litigation (MDL) involving various defendants such as Meta Platforms, Inc., Instagram LLC, Snap, Inc., TikTok, Inc., ByteDance, Inc., YouTube LLC, Google LLC, and Alphabet Inc. Plaintiffs have alleged that the defendants’ social media platforms are defective because they are designed to maximize screen time, which can...
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The Legal Consequences and Defense Strategies of...
Criminal activity covers a range of actions beyond the common conception of violent actions. White-collar crimes are one such example of nonviolent crimes, centering on deceitful tactics carried out by individuals or businesses with the intent of obtaining money or avoiding monetary losses. It is a common misconception that white-collar...
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The Role of Miranda Rights in Criminal...
Criminal activity is a wide subject that includes violent altercations, property damage, white-collar offenses, and organized crime, as well as acts that are categorized as victimless or consensual. In most cases, authorities will attempt to determine who is at fault, charge them with the crime, and obtain either a conviction...
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Self-Defense When Is It Justified in Violent...
Your attempts to defend yourself against attack can land you in legal trouble. Overzealous law enforcement officers or aggressive prosecutors can charge you with committing a crime if they believe your response to an attack was disproportionate to the threat. Depending on the situation, you could face prison time and...
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Dissecting a Search Warrant What You Should...
A search warrant is a powerful legal document. It grants law enforcement officers the authority to access your home, computer, or other property to look for evidence of a crime. If you are later charged with a crime based on evidence found during the search, the search warrant becomes an...
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Traffic Stops Involving K-9s When Is It...
Seeing flashing lights in your rearview mirror during a traffic stop can be intimidating, especially if you were pulled over for a minor traffic violation. In these situations, it may be daunting to assert your rights — especially when drug dogs are involved. While trained K-9s can be a valuable...
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Field Sobriety Tests What They Are and...
Over 13,000 deaths occurred in 2021 alone as a result of drunk driving. Adherence to DUI laws could have prevented thousands of such incidents where drivers and other pedestrians got hurt or worse. Cops know that there are many potential reasons for traffic violations. When an officer pulls someone over,...
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Can Social Media Be Used Against You...
Now more than ever, people have easy and instant access to the internet. However, since many people use the internet to share their thoughts and feelings without a filter, it can often come with significant legal risks. Social media and criminal cases do not play well together, and posting frequently...
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Understanding Probable Cause for Car Searches
Police use many tools to uncover evidence of criminal activity. Search and seizure is one such avenue, but under the law, it must be conducted with either a search warrant, the consent of the property owner, or enough probable cause that neither is required. What is probable cause and how...
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State vs. Federal Drug Crime Penalties What...
The U.S. war on drugs began in 1970, with the passage of the Controlled Substances Act. However, it wasn’t until President Richard Nixon stated to Congress that drug addiction had become “a national emergency” that America kicked off a campaign of criminalizing drug use. This campaign has persisted for decades....
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Stop and Identify Laws in Greenville County,...
People should be able to go about their daily lives without fear of unwarranted interference. But a police officer stopping you without a valid reason can disrupt your day and infringe upon your privacy, so it’s important to know what the law says about such situations. Understanding what’s known as...
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Ask the Attorney Is It Illegal to...
As you drive home after a night on the town in Spartanburg, you feel a bit tipsy and as though you should not be driving, but you reason that you can get home quickly without being pulled over. Then, you see the telltale lights and signs alerting you to a...
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Charged With Theft on the Self-Checkout Line?...
There is only a month left before Christmas time is here once again. This means that stores and businesses will soon be jam-packed with shoppers purchasing food, toys, and gifts they need to make the season as merry and bright as possible — but also as quickly as possible. As...
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What Can Police Search Without a Warrant...
Both the U.S. and South Carolina Constitutions protect people from unreasonable searches and seizures, requiring the police to have a search warrant reviewed and signed by a judge to comply with these protections in many situations. Be that as it may, the police can occasionally conduct a search without a...
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What Happens if You Can’t Afford Bail...
The Constitution of the State of South Carolina guarantees bail for non-violent offenders, and throughout the state’s history, it has expanded that assurance by creating a statutory right to bail for all non-capital offenses. Equally important, that statute creates a presumption that favors release on recognizance (OR) without bail. In...
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What Is the Difference Between 1st, 2nd,...
South Carolina has an unusual murder statute, as it does not define separate murder charges; in fact, the state law never uses terms like “capital murder,” “first-degree murder,” or “second-degree murder.” Nevertheless, the statute defines three punishment levels for murder, which roughly correspond to the punishments other states associate with...
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South Carolina Marijuana Laws Your 2023 Guide...
In most of the U.S. — 38 states plus Washington, D.C. — medical marijuana is legal. Washington, D.C., and 23 states allow the use of recreational marijuana. South Carolina is one of only 12 states that does not allow either medical or recreational use of cannabis. Worse yet, South Carolina...
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Charged with an Overdose Death
If you supplied another person with drugs that led to an overdose death, it’s possible that a South Carolina court will bring criminal homicide charges against you. This can occur even in cases where you shared your drugs for free, not expecting payment for them. Fortunately, an experienced criminal defense...
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Criminal Charges When Interfering with a Custody...
Child custody hearings are notoriously contentious, but they sometimes cross the boundary between civil matters and criminal charges. In some cases of custodial interference, criminal charges are justified because one parent attempts to keep the other from access to the child. In other cases, one parent may report custodial interference...
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Pulled Over? What You Should Know About...
You have been pulled over by Spartanburg law enforcement for speeding — so it catches you off guard when the officer asks if they can search your car. For many law-abiding drivers, the thought of police searching through their cars as part of a routine traffic stop is unsettling. Can...
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After Arrest Understanding the Booking Process in...
You know that when an officer arrests you, they will place you in handcuffs and take you to jail. You might also know that you can post bail and be released from jail after an arrest. However, what happens between your arrest and your release is a less commonly understood...
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When Self-Defense Turns into a Manslaughter Charge...
Manslaughter is a serious charge, with serious penalties for those who are convicted. But if you unintentionally killed someone while defending yourself in South Carolina, it’s possible that the law could recognize you as a victim rather than an aggressor. In these cases, an experienced criminal defense attorney may be...
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Ask the Attorney How Does the Prosecutor...
Suppose that you are charged after allegedly stealing items from a business, but you later repay the merchant for the allegedly stolen goods. Or suppose that you are charged with domestic violence after a heated argument with your partner, but the two of you later work the matter out in...
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Common Defenses to Evading Arrest Charges
Being arrested can be scary and traumatic. You never know how you might feel or react until the moment, and it’s not uncommon to act in a way that could be deemed as resisting or evading arrest. However, this is a crime that will only make the situation worse. What...
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Consequences for Drug Distribution Charges
Knowing your options when facing drug distribution charges is essential for you and your future. An experienced South Carolina criminal defense attorney can help you understand the potential consequences you face and fight for freedom on your behalf. What is drug distribution? Drug distribution refers to the selling, distributing, and...
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Steps to Take to Get a Criminal...
If you are facing criminal mischief charges, it’s normal to feel overwhelmed and uncertain about the future. Therefore, it is critical to speak with a knowledgeable criminal defense and civil rights attorney when you are facing any type of charge. A skilled criminal defense lawyer will leverage their knowledge and...
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What to Do if You’ve Been Falsely...
Domestic violence is a criminal offense involving violence, abuse, or threats of harm against a partner or family member. In most states, including South Carolina, where our office is based, domestic violence charges can be filed as a misdemeanor or a felony, depending on the severity of the offense. If...
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How an Attorney Can Help in Your...
If you’re facing charges for drug possession, you may be unsure of what to do or where to turn. Taking action by consulting with a defense attorney should be the first task on your list. A lawyer can substantially help with your drug possession case and fight for justice on...
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How to Get Your Shoplifting Case Dropped...
Shoplifting is a serious crime. In the state of South Carolina, shoplifting charges can result in significant legal consequences for the accused. If you or someone you know has been charged with shoplifting, you may be able to take steps to get the charges dismissed. Getting a shoplifting case dropped...
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The Penalties for Fleeing the Scene of...
Hit and run accidents can be traumatic and life-changing experiences for both the victims and the drivers involved. When fleeing the scene of a hit and run in South Carolina, it is important to know that you can face severe consequences and charges — both legally and financially. South Carolina...
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What Is the Duration of an Aggravated...
Aggravated assault charges involve the attempt or actual infliction of serious bodily injury on an individual and are serious criminal allegations. In the state of South Carolina, aggravated assault is a felony offense and can carry severe penalties. South Carolina Law: When You Use a Deadly Weapon Under South Carolina...
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Most Common Civil Rights Violations
Civil rights are fundamental to the United States Constitution, and numerous laws exist to protect these rights. Civil rights are vital in guaranteeing freedom of speech, the right to vote, housing, education, and employment. However, despite decades of legislation to support these rights and guaranteed protections for individuals, heinous violations...
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Things to Know Before Being Pulled Over...
Driving Under the Influence (DUI) is a serious criminal offense that can have lasting consequences on your personal and public life. In South Carolina, being convicted of a DUI can result in many penalties, including court fines, jail time, vehicle impoundment, and the loss of driving privileges. Because DUI significantly...
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What to Expect After Being Charged with...
Drug trafficking is one of the most severe felonies in South Carolina, and even a first-time conviction comes with many legal repercussions. State and federal drug laws are stringent, and anyone found guilty of drug trafficking can face substantial fines, lengthy jail sentences, and a criminal record that can follow...
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Your Rights During a Search for Drugs...
“We are searching for controlled substances,” is one of the most intimidating things that anyone can hear. If you are in this situation, do you know what to do? It is important that you know your rights when you or your property is the subject of a search. In this...
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Food Box Program
Under the leadership of County Councilman Mo Abusaft, 60,000 pounds of fresh produce was distributed to the Spartanburg Community in partnership with the USDA Farmers to families food box program.
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