South Carolina’s Criminal Laws
Assault Charge Versus Self-Defense Claim in SC
An assault charge versus self defense claim in South Carolina turns on who started the fight, the threat faced, and the force used in response in court.
What Should You Do Immediately After Being Arrested in South Carolina?
As criminal defense lawyers in Charleston, South Carolina, we know that an arrest can turn an ordinary day upside down. Most of our clients worry about getting home, missing work, or what the charge will mean for their future. They also feel an urgent need to explain...
What Is Pretrial Intervention (PTI) in South Carolina?
Discover how pretrial intervention in South Carolina can help resolve your first-time, non-violent charge without a conviction. Learn more!
How Does South Carolina’s Stand Your Ground Law Work?
As criminal defense lawyers, we often hear questions about a person’s legal right to defend himself or herself against attackers or intruders. In the past, South Carolina imposed a “duty to retreat” on people who were threatened before they were justified in using...
How Does the Driving Points System Work in South Carolina?
Our criminal lawyers in Charleston regularly review driving records and help clients make decisions based on them. We’ve noticed that many folks don’t fully understand South Carolina's driving points system, how long points count toward a suspension, or how quickly a...
What Happens If You Are Declared a Habitual Offender in South Carolina?
As criminal defense and DUI defense lawyers in Charleston, South Carolina, we have helped many drivers who lost their license because the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) declared them a habitual traffic offender under S.C. Code Section 56-1-1020. A habitual...
What Are the Penalties for Shoplifting in South Carolina?
If you were recently arrested for shoplifting in South Carolina, knowing how to handle the situation is essential. In this article, our Charleston shoplifting lawyers explain South Carolina's shoplifting laws, the penalties, and how a criminal lawyer can help you...
How Do You Expunge a Criminal Record in South Carolina?
Our criminal defense lawyers in Charleston often get asked about expungement in South Carolina, including how to expunge your criminal record and which charges can be expunged. When we successfully defend someone accused of a crime, we follow up by expunging our...
Handgun Laws in South Carolina – What You Need to Know
As criminal defense attorneys in Mt. Pleasant and Charleston, SC, we know South Carolina handgun laws can be confusing. Violations of gun laws, even innocent ones, can lead to jail time, fines, and the loss of the weapon. Because these laws vary by state, it's hard to...
Is Marijuana Legal in South Carolina?
As criminal lawyers in Charleston, people ask us, "Is marijuana legal in South Carolina?" or "Are edibles legal in South Carolina?" Over half of the American states have decriminalized or legalized marijuana or edibles, at least medically, if not also recreationally....
All About Private Investigators (“PI’s”) in South Carolina
At Futeral and Nelson, our criminal defense attorneys have used private investigators for a number of reasons over the years, including gathering evidence of adultery in divorce cases, serving papers in family court or civil cases, or interviewing witnesses in...
Fitness to Stand Trial in South Carolina
The criminal defense lawyers at Futeral & Nelson handle cases for people with special needs, intellectual disabilities, and mental illness. Some people who face these challenges are completely functional in society or are at least very high functioning. Others,...