What Is a Reckless Vehicular Homicide Charge in South Carolina?
“Reckless vehicular homicide” sounds like something the average, responsible Charleston driver shouldn’t need to worry about, right? Wrong. In fact, anyone who drives a car can find themselves on the wrong end of this criminal charge, regardless of how conscientious or reasonable they act. The fact is, automobiles are dangerous, and it’s common for even…
Read MoreDo I Have to Take a Plea Deal?
A plea deal, also called a plea agreement or a plea bargain, is an agreement between an accused person (defendant) and the state about criminal charges. If you are accused of a crime, at some point the Solicitor’s Office may hand you a plea deal. Do you have to take it? Short answer: no. You…
Read MoreChallenging a Traffic Stop for “Driving While High” in South Carolina
As you know, you can be pulled over and arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol in South Carolina. You can also be arrested for driving under the influence of marijuana and other drugs. South Carolina’s driving while impaired laws make it illegal to drive under the influence of alcohol “to the extent that…
Read MoreUnderstanding DUI Checkpoints in South Carolina
Driving Under the Influence (DUI) is a serious offense with potentially severe consequences, and law enforcement agencies across South Carolina and the United States employ various strategies to address this issue. One such strategy is the implementation of DUI checkpoints, also known as sobriety checkpoints. These checkpoints are designed to identify and apprehend individuals operating…
Read MoreThe Use of Expert Witnesses in Murder Defense
In murder defenses, expert witnesses play an important role, offering specialized knowledge and insights that can sway the outcome of a trial. Expert witness testimony is often the key to building a strong defense strategy, providing jurors with a deeper understanding of complex issues. If you are facing murder charges in South Carolina, it is…
Read MoreHow Do You Get a Pardon in South Carolina?
If a person is convicted of a crime in South Carolina state court, then the pardon cannot come from the President. In many states, a pardon is granted by that state’s governor, though in South Carolina pardons are granted by the seven-member Board of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services. To secure a pardon, two-thirds of…
Read MoreA Detailed Look at Trump’s Presidential Pardons
During his four years as president, Donald Trump has granted clemency to approximately 100 individuals, with a flurry of pardons going out at the end of the year as his presidency wraps up. A few days before Christmas, President Trump pardoned or commuted the sentences of over 40 people, and is assumed to grant between…
Read MoreDomestic Assault Rates Rose During the Early Days of the Covid-19 Pandemic
South Carolina is known for many things. We have great golf courses, beautiful beaches, and world-famous southern hospitality. In fact, Charleston is often ranked as the friendliest city in the world. We also have a high rate of assault and domestic violence crimes. The state has been making progress toward decreasing violent offenses, but the…
Read MoreCan Medications Affect a Datamaster Breath Test?
If you are arrested for DUI in South Carolina, under most circumstances, you will be asked by the police to submit to a breath test. Breath test machines (South Carolina uses the Datamaster DMT) can give false positive results or overstate your blood alcohol content. This false result can help bolster the case for the…
Read MoreCan I Get a DUI On a Boat in South Carolina?
Summer is here, and many of us want to get our boats out on the water and have a good time. A large number of those boats on the water are going to have coolers onboard. In South Carolina, it is not against the law to drink an alcoholic beverage while you are operating a…
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