Greenville Criminal Domestic Violence Lawyer

If you need a Greenville criminal domestic violence lawyer, work with the award-winning attorneys at Bannister, Wyatt & Stalvey, LLC. Our legal team aggressively represents people charged with domestic violence (DV). Contact us now for immediate legal help.

Domestic Violence Lawyers in Greenville, SC

We are domestic violence lawyers in Greenville, SC. With skilled and experienced legal representation, we fight charges of domestic violence. If you’re facing DV charges, you need focused and aggressive legal representation.

Our Greenville criminal defense lawyers believe everyone deserves a strong defense. To see how we help clients seeking justice and exoneration navigate DV defense, call (864) 298-0084 or message us now for your consultation.

Domestic Violence Lawyers

Here’s what our domestic violence lawyers want you to know:

  • Facing domestic violence charges can be daunting. A conviction can change your life. Even just an allegation can be enough to upset your daily routine and threaten your future. Our lawyers help with everything you need to respond to the charges against you.
  • Domestic violence witnesses can be challenged. They may not be truthful, and they may not have observed the events with a clear perspective. Our lawyers know how to question witnesses effectively and question the case against you.
  • Don’t talk to the police, or anyone else, without talking to us first. What you say can be used against you. Plus, it might be twisted or taken out of context.
  • What you do from the moment you are arrested or charged can impact the outcome of your case. When we represent you, we build your case. We preserve the evidence, advocate for justice, and appear with you in court.
  • We handle cases in Greenville, SC, and the surrounding areas.

If you have been arrested, or if you are under investigation, please contact us. You can have a lawyer representing you right away.

Domestic Violence Charges in South Carolina

In some ways, domestic violence charges are all the same – they are serious. They can bring serious penalties including incarceration, prohibition of owning or possessing a firearm, fines, probation, and the stigma of having a DV conviction. In South Carolina, there are four different levels of domestic violence charges depending on the circumstances of the offense.

What is domestic violence in South Carolina?

South Carolina law § 16-25-20 prohibits committing physical harm against a household member. The law also prohibits threatening to cause physical harm or injury with a present and reasonable creation of immediate peril.

Domestic violence of a high and aggravated nature (DVHAN)

Domestic violence of a high and aggravated nature is the most serious domestic violence charge. S.C. Code § 16-25-65 classifies DV as a high and aggravated nature when certain circumstances are present. Examples of DVHAN include committing a DV offense with a deadly weapon, inflicting serious injury, or committing acts that would make a reasonable person fear imminent and serious injury.

Penalty: Felony, 1-10 years in prison, batterers intervention, treatment, and lifetime firearms ban

Domestic violence in the first degree – § 16-25-20(B)

Domestic violence in the first degree involves:

  • Infliction of great bodily injury
  • Likelihood of great bodily injury
  • Second-degree DV when there is a protective order
  • Two (2) or more prior convictions (10-year lookback period)
  • A firearm
  • Second-degree DV in the presence of a minor, against a pregnant woman, while committing robbery, burglary, kidnapping or theft, impeding breathing, or blocking calling for help

Penalty: Felony, 10 years max incarceration, batters intervention, treatment, and firearms ban

Domestic violence in the second degree – § 16-25-20(C)

Domestic violence in the second degree involves:

  • Infliction of moderate bodily injury
  • Likelihood of moderate bodily injury
  • Third-degree DV when there is a protective order
  • One prior conviction (10-year lookback period)
  • Third-degree DV in the presence of a minor, against a pregnant woman, while committing robbery, burglary, kidnapping or theft, impeding breathing or blocking calling for help

Penalty: Misdemeanor, three (3) years max incarceration, $2,500-$5,000 fine, treatment, firearms ban

Domestic violence in the third degree – § 16-25-20(D)

A basic domestic violence charge, prohibited by S.C. Code § 16-25-20(A), is DV in the third degree.

Penalty: Misdemeanor, 90 days max incarceration, $1,000-$2,500 fine, treatment, firearms ban.

Who can be a domestic violence victim in South Carolina?

Domestic violence charges in South Carolina involve family, household, or former household members. A spouse, ex-husband, ex-wife, someone with a child in common, or cohabitating/previously cohabitating male and female may be the victim of domestic violence. If the alleged victim is not in one of these categories, it may be a defense to the charges.

Defenses to Domestic Violence

Defenses to domestic violence may include:

  • The act was in self-defense
  • An assault or battery did not occur
  • There was no household member involved
  • The victim or other witnesses are not being truthful
  • Another party was the aggressor
  • Law enforcement violated your rights
  • Any injuries were accidental
  • Injuries are defensive
  • The case can’t be proven beyond a reasonable doubt

Domestic Violence and Your Gun Rights

A serious consequence that can result from a domestic violence conviction is the loss of your firearm rights. Any DV conviction may result in loss of firearms rights if the judge orders it. In addition, there are certain convictions where loss of firearms rights is mandatory. The period of suspension depends on the conviction and may last up to a lifetime. (See S.C. Code § 16-25-30.)

Defending your gun rights is an important part of fighting DV charges for those we represent. We will help you understand how your DV conviction may affect your gun rights along with other potential penalties.

Contact a Greenville Criminal Domestic Violence Lawyer Today

Have you been arrested for domestic violence? Are you accused of DV or facing charges? We defend against domestic violence charges, representing people in the Greenville, SC area.

Don’t go through DV charges alone. Get the professional and aggressive legal help you need to fight the charges. Contact a Greenville criminal domestic violence lawyer at Bannister, Wyatt & Stalvey, LLC.

Why Choose Bannister, Wyatt & Stalvey Law Firm?

With the experience to address complex family law, criminal defense, and real estate matters, our knowledgeable team of attorneys are here to advocate for you. We operate our law offices on three main principles:

trust

Trust.

We strive to establish personal trust with each and every client.
integrity

Integrity

We operate with the utmost integrity when dealing with clients and the legal community.
excellence

Excellence

We commit to excellence in all aspects of the legal profession.

Reviews

Bannister, Wyatt & Stalvey, LLC Logo white

Get in touch with us today to evaluate your case. We’re only a call, click, or short drive away.

"*" indicates required fields

Name