Richland County Criminal Lawyer

Being charged with most crimes in South Carolina can result in harsh jail or prison sentences, hefty fines, years of probation, and a criminal record which can significantly affect your ability to secure employment, rent an apartment, or receive financial assistance.

If you have been charged with a crime in Richland County or surrounding areas, contact an experienced Richland County criminal lawyer who can evaluate the charges against you and determine what legal defenses might apply to your situation. A qualified criminal defense attorney can advocate for you.

South Carolina Recognizes Many Crimes

South Carolina recognizes many types of criminal offenses. Some of the most common types of criminal charges include assault and battery, theft, and driving under the influence (DUI).

Assault & Battery

According to SC Code Sec. 16-3-600, there are four assault and battery charges:

First-Degree Assault and Battery

This involves assault and battery where an injury results. It includes nonconsensual touching of genitals in a lewd manner, or when the incident happened during theft, robbery, kidnapping, or burglary.

The charge can also consist of merely an assault (without battery or physical contact) which was likely to produce death or great bodily harm, or that occurred during the commission of a theft, robbery, kidnapping, or burglary. This is a felony that which can result in up to 10 years in prison.

Second and Third-Degree Assault and Battery

Second-degree assault and battery involves only moderate bodily injury (or something which could have resulted in moderate bodily injury) that required seeking medical treatment or the nonconsensual touching of someone’s genitals. This is a misdemeanor which can result in up to three years in prison.

Third-degree assault and battery is commonly called simple assault and generally involves striking someone – the result of which does not result in severe injury. It is a misdemeanor which can result in up to 30 days in prison.

Assault and Battery of a High and Aggravated Nature

Assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature (ABHAN) is the most serious of assault and battery charges as it involves physical contact (battery), which results in great bodily harm or in a manner which was likely to produce death or great bodily injury. ABHAN is a felony which can result in up to 20 years in prison. A Richland County criminal lawyer can attempt to mitigate the penalties that an individual may face.

Theft

According to SC Code Sec. 16-13-10, et. seq., theft is defined as the unlawful taking of property (or services) belonging to someone else with the intent to permanently deprive the person of that property.

South Carolina classifies theft offenses as larceny and recognizes three types:

• Petit larceny. This involves stealing property or services with values of $2,000 or less. It is a misdemeanor which can result in spending up to 30 days in prison
• Grand larceny. Stealing property or services valued between $2,000 and $10,000 is a felony which can result in spending up to five years in prison
• Grand larceny. Stealing property or services valued at over $10,000 is a felony which can result in spending up to ten years in prison

DUI

Under South Carolina law, DUI is illegal when a person’s blood alcohol concentration (BAC) level is 0.08% or higher, 0.02% or higher for those 21 years or younger, and 0.04% or higher for those who hold a CDL (commercial driver’s license). South Carolina presumes consent to provide police with a blood, breath, or urine test to determine BAC levels. Refusing to consent will result in a six-month license suspension (three months for those under 21).

Every criminal charge can be different, regardless of whether it is one of those listed above or the possession and sale of drugs, murder, and manslaughter, sexual assault, and abuse, or anything else. The bottom line is important to identify all the legal defenses to a crime – and that is where a criminal lawyer in Richland County can help most.

How a Richland County Criminal Attorney Can Help

If you have been charged with a crime, contact an experienced Richland County criminal lawyer who can look at all the charges against you and advise you as to all your legal options going forward.

The consequences of a criminal conviction are simply too steep to face alone. Your future is important, and a conviction can change your life forever. Find out how a criminal attorney can help you today.