Criminal Defense

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

Research from two prestigious national institutions, the University of Pennsylvania and Georgetown University, indicate that drug-related deaths for the 15-64 year-old population were 9 percent in 2016 – more than twice what it was 20 years ago. New research from these two schools indicate that the drug mortality rate may be more than twice that…

The South Carolina Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services was created in 1941. The goal of the department is to help protect the community while also helping offenders of criminal offenses move forward with their lives. The mission of the department is: “To prepare offenders under our supervision toward becoming productive members of the…

Ten people have filed a lawsuit in Lexington County state court against the owners of the Pantaeo Sportsman’s Club. The club is a 76-acre outdoor collection of shooting ranges for guns of all sizes and types. The lawsuit alleges “rogue bullets” are flying into the plaintiff’s personal properties like a “warzone.” The plaintiffs are asking…

Just about everyone has experienced that sinking feeling when they see those familiar blue lights in their rearview mirror and hear the siren signaling them to pull over. Whether you’ve gone a little over the speed limit, or have no idea why law enforcement is stopping you, you’re likely feeling stress and anxiety. It’s crucial…