Learn more about criminal defense:
- DUI (Driving Under The Influence) Defense
- Drug And Narcotics Arrest Defense
- Criminal Sexual Conduct Defense
- Criminal Domestic Violence
- Homicide Self Defense
- Traffic Accident With Fatality
- Burglary
- Child Abuse
- Tax Evasion
Why Should I Hire a Greenville, South Carolina Criminal Defense Lawyer?
You may have never hired an attorney before and, therefore, not understand the benefits of a criminal defense lawyer on your side. You may be wondering why you just can’t do everything on your own, and that is a valid question. The reality is that handling a criminal case is not your typical do-it-yourself project.
Legal criminal cases are severe, and one wrong move on your part could land you years in prison and could ruin your life. Your freedom and future are on the line. You need to trust that the South Carolina criminal defense lawyer handling your case knows what they are doing.
If you handle your case yourself, this means that instead of having an experienced and skilled South Carolina criminal defense attorney at your side controlling your defense, you have instead designated authority to a novice, hoping that you can make things turn out okay.
Skilled and knowledgeable South Carolina criminal defense attorneys understand the law, the rules of the courtroom, and their procedures, including how to talk properly to the judge, how to present your case to a jury, and how to negotiate with the prosecutor. Someone without a legal background simply don’t have these types of skils, and they are the skills necessary when you are being charged with a serious crime.
Is There Something Wrong With A South Carolina Public Defender?
There’s absolutely nothing wrong with having a South Carolina public defender handle your case. They are generally skilled and dedicated lawyers who work extremely hard.
However, you need to understand that most often, South Carolina public defenders are handling extremely high caseloads and may not be able to give your case the amount of attention they would like to.
When you think about what is at stake in your case, you don’t want to be one of a hundred or so cases on your public defender’s desk. You want a South Carolina attorney who is focused on your case and can devote the time and care your case deserves.
What Should I Consider When Hiring a South Carolina Criminal Defense Lawyer?
You may not know where to start if you’ve decided to hire a Greenville, South Carolina criminal defense attorney. This is quite a common problem, and you may be feeling overwhelmed.
Your first step should be to do some research. Ask your friends and family, read websites, and gather as much information as you can. Once you’ve narrowed down your choices, make some telephone calls, and set up some appointments. Most criminal defense lawyers offer free consultations.
When you meet with each prospective Greenville, South Carolina criminal defense lawyer, you should ask them some important questions which may include:
- How long have they been a criminal defense lawyer?
- How many criminal cases have they handled?
- How long have they practiced criminal law?
- How many of their criminal cases have gone to trial?
- How many of those trials were in front of a jury?
- Ask how much they charge for your particular matter.
Make sure you are comfortable with the answers they give and pay attention to how you interact with them. If you feel comfortable talking with them, then that is a good possibility for you. If you don’t feel pleased with them or don’t think you can trust them, you should keep looking.
What is the Difference Between a Misdemeanor and Felony in South Carolina?
Many people in South Carolina may not understand the difference between a felony and a misdemeanor.
A misdemeanor generally refers to a less serious criminal matter. Being charged with a misdemeanor could mean you do less jail time. In fact, the Federal system considers any offense that is punishable by one year or less in prison to be a misdemeanor.
Felonies involve more serious criminal matters, and the people who commit felonies are punished more harshly. In South Carolina, the Code of Laws is particular as to what crimes are considered misdemeanors.
While there is a difference between a felony and misdemeanor in regards to jail/prison times, make no mistake, both are serious criminal matters and can have a lasting negative impact on your life.
What Should I Do First If I’ve Been Arrested?
The first thing you should do if you’ve been arrested is to be quiet. You have the right to remain silent – use it!
You should also be as polite as possible and give South Carolina law enforcement any personal information they request, such as your name and driver’s license. Still, you don’t have any obligation to talk to any law enforcement.
From the moment you are stopped by South Carolina law enforcement, you are more than likely to be videotaped. If you are polite and keep quiet, you don’t run the risk of saying too much or saying the wrong thing. Remember, anything you say or do can be used against you in a court of law.
Along with being silent, you should contact one of our experienced Greenville, South Carolina criminal defense lawyers as soon as you can. Every minute counts, especially at the beginning of your criminal case.
Can My Prior Convictions Be Used Against Me?
If you were convicted of a criminal offense in the past, it might come back to bite you if you are arrested in the future on a criminal matter.
However, it depends on the exact nature of the previous conviction and whether it’s relevant to your current criminal case. It also can depend on how long ago your prior conviction was.
