Mount Pleasant Criminal Lawyer

If you have been arrested of a crime, a Mount Pleasant criminal lawyer could sit down with you to explain the impact this could have on your future and the penalties that might apply based on your specific charge(s).

Regardless of whether you have been charged with a misdemeanor or felony, you could benefit from consulting with a criminal defense attorney who is familiar with the local justice system and the possible pitfalls and obstacles you could face going forward.

Introduction to Criminal Laws

Mount Pleasant is governed by a set of local laws designed to maintain public order and safety. Local law enforcement, primarily the police department, diligently enforces these laws to ensure a safe community for residents and visitors.

Mount Pleasant follows state laws and its own municipal ordinances. Common offenses in the area include DUI, drug possession, theft, and assault. The legal consequences for these crimes can vary depending on the nature and severity of the offense. 

Understanding the intricacies of criminal laws and enforcement practices is crucial for anyone facing criminal charges. A knowledgeable criminal defense lawyer in Mount Pleasant can provide invaluable guidance during the process and ensure defendants receive a fair trial and effective representation.

Misdemeanors and Felonies

Crimes in South Carolina are broken down into two major categories: misdemeanors and felonies. Hiring a Mount Pleasant criminal defense attorney could help a person accused to understand the full scope of all charges.

Misdemeanors are rated as Class C, Class B, and Class A. Class A is the most serious misdemeanor charge with up to three years in prison in addition to fines, and Class C is the least serious.

Felonies are rated in six different classifications from A to F. A felonies are the most serious and can carry prison time of up to 30 years, whereas F felonies carry prison time of no more than five years. Examples of felony level crimes include kidnapping, attempted murder, voluntary manslaughter, carjacking, sexual exploitation of a minor, reckless homicide, stalking, burglary, or attempted armed robbery.

The classification of the crime is important because of the range of penalties assessed with misdemeanors and felonies. Any person facing more than one criminal charge at a time could have extended prison time or higher fines based on the results of each of those charges.

Criminal Charge Penalties

The consequences of any crime depend on how the crime is categorized and whether there are any aggravating factors. In general, misdemeanor crimes carry less serious penalties than felonies.

Each criminal statute details a range of fines and/or jail time and then leaves it to the judge to determine what is most appropriate given the case details. For someone accused of a crime, this uncertainty could be addressed by hiring a Mount Pleasant criminal defense attorney to walk through the possible consequences shortly after the accused person is charged.

Consult with a Mount Pleasant Criminal Attorney Today

A Mount Pleasant criminal lawyer could be brought into your criminal defense case as soon as you are under-investigated or have been charged. You might still be at the police station when you choose to exercise your right to speak to an attorney. The police might try to encourage you to make statements on your behalf while an attorney is not present.

However, you could expose yourself to further problems and issues down the line by being too cooperative or making statements without recognizing the possible implications without speaking to a lawyer. Contact us today.