Columbia Breach of Trust Lawyer

If you are under investigation or have been charged with mishandling money or property that was entrusted to you, the stakes can feel immediate. A Columbia breach of trust lawyer could intervene early, explain the accusation, and help you respond in a way that protects your rights. Allegations involving trust, property, and fraud often depend on records, context, and intent, which makes early legal guidance especially important.

A fraud attorney could assess the facts, identify weaknesses in the State’s case, and help you avoid decisions that could make the situation harder to manage. If you are facing accusations tied to breach of trust, our firm could help you understand what comes next and prepare a strong defense.

What Must the State Prove in a Breach of Trust Case?

Under South Carolina Code § 16-13-230, breach of trust with fraudulent intent is treated as an extension of larceny. The offense includes the core features of larceny, but it differs in one important respect. Instead of alleging an unlawful taking at the outset, the State claims that the property was first placed in the accused person’s possession in trust and was later carried away with fraudulent intent.

To convict, the prosecution must prove that:

• The accused carried away the personal property of another
• The property had been placed in that person’s possession in trust
• The purpose of carrying it away was to deprive the owner of its use by fraud

A breach of trust attorney in Columbia could analyze whether the facts actually support each of those elements. In many cases, the real dispute involves authority, ownership, consent, or financial records rather than criminal intent. That is often where a strong defense begins.

How Penalties Change Based on the Amount Alleged

The potential penalty depends on the value of the property that the State says was involved. If the amount is $2,000 or less, the charge is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $1,000 or up to 30 days in jail. In some cases, that level of offense may be handled in the South Carolina summary court.

If the amount is more than $2,000 but less than $10,000, the charge is a felony punishable by a fine in the discretion of the court or up to five years of imprisonment. If the amount is $10,000 or more, the offense remains a felony, but the maximum prison exposure increases to 10 years. In a Columbia breach of trust case, a defense attorney could review how the alleged amount was calculated and whether the evidence supports the level of charge selected by the prosecution.

Why Early Defense Work Matters in Breach of Trust Cases

Breach of trust allegations often involve documents, account activity, internal communications, and competing explanations about what authority existed. Those details can affect whether the case appears to be a criminal offense or a dispute over business or financial responsibilities. A breach of trust attorney in Columbia could move quickly to review records, identify missing context, and prepare a response that does not hand the State unnecessary evidence. Early legal guidance may help you protect your position and make informed decisions about the next stage of the case.

Call a Breach of Trust Attorney in Columbia Today

If you are dealing with an investigation or formal charge, it is important to understand what the State must prove and how the alleged amount can affect the potential penalty. Working with a Columbia breach of trust lawyer gives you the chance to challenge the accusation with a defense built on the actual elements of the offense and the weaknesses in the prosecution’s theory.

Our firm is prepared to evaluate the allegation, explain your options, and fight for the strongest available result in your case. Contact us today for a free case evaluation to discuss your case with an experienced attorney.