Orangeburg County Gun Lawyer

Despite a constitutional right to own guns in the U.S. Constitution, this right is not unlimited. There are gun laws at both the state and federal level that must be followed, or criminal charges could result. If you face gun charges you could potentially face high fines, years in prison, and loss of certain constitutional rights. This could include the right to own and carry a firearm in the future.

An Orangeburg County gun lawyer can help you fight back against these gun charges. Schedule a consultation today.

Severity of the Charges

Gun charges can vary greatly in their severity depending on the facts of the situation the defendant faces. These offenses can be either misdemeanors or felony level of offenses depending on the case specifics. Misdemeanors can carry up to a maximum of a year in prison and carry fines. Felonies, on the other hand, can carry many years in prison, high fines, and the loss of constitutional rights.

In some of these cases, a sentence to probation or a grant of parole can help keep a defendant out of prison. These alternative sentencing options come with strict supervision requirements that must be strictly followed. A qualified criminal defense attorney can help a defendant understand the type of charges they face and the potential consequences of a conviction.

Gun Crimes in South Carolina

Prosecutors in the state tend to take gun law violations very seriously. State and federal laws set strict restrictions on certain aspects of gun use and ownership, as well as the gun’s ammunition. If a defendant is alleged to have violated a gun law, they could face serious penalties.

Commonly charged gun crimes include, but are not limited to:

• Use or possession of illegal weapons
• Use or possession of a lawful weapon but without the proper licenses
• Use or possession of a gun in an unlawful area
• Use or possession of a gun by a juvenile
• Use of a firearm by person who is not permitted to own or use a gun (i.e. probationers or felons)
• Using weapons in the commission of a crime

Firearm charges can carry extremely serious penalties if the defendant is convicted. This is especially true if the gun was used in the commission of a serious crime, such as a burglary. Guns used in these types of crimes can quickly escalate the gun charge and the underlying charge it was used in.

Presenting a Defense to Gun Charges

Every case deserves a legal defense that is built specifically for that defendant. A skilled attorney will adapt strategies and defenses to fit the case at hand to help best protect the defendant. Common defenses that can be used to help protect a defendant’s constitutional rights include:

• Failure to properly read Miranda warnings
• Show reasonable doubt exists to the jury
• File a suppression motion for illegally collected evidence
• Show mistaken identity
• Prove defendant had proper license to own firearm

More defenses exist that may help reduce the charges the defendant may face or even lead to a dismissal or acquittal of the charges.

A Gun Attorney in Orangeburg County Can Help

Gun charges in the state can have serious ramifications for you if you are convicted. The possibility of a criminal record with a gun crime can make it difficult to be employed and could result in prison time.

To begin the process of defending your case, contact an experienced Orangeburg County gun lawyer for help.