If you have been arrested for a crime in South Carolina, you need to put an experienced criminal defense lawyer on your side. This starts with scheduling a free consultation. While some lawyers charge for their initial consultations, we do not. Why? Simply put, we believe that you shouldn’t have to pay to make an informed decision about your legal representation.
Why It’s Important to Hire an Experienced Criminal Defense Lawyer in South Carolina
We also know that many people have questions about hiring a criminal defense lawyer to represent them. Is it really worth it to hire a lawyer for your criminal case? What if you know you are guilty?
Here are five reasons why it’s important to hire an experienced lawyer to represent you, regardless of the facts of your case:
1. All Criminal Charges Carry Steep Penalties in South Carolina
Regardless of why you were arrested, you are facing steep penalties. In South Carolina, all misdemeanors and felonies carry fines and jail (or prison) time, and you could be facing various other penalties as well. For example:
- DUI – For a “standard” first-time DUI, you could be facing nearly $1,000 in fines and fees, up to 30 days in jail, and up to a six-month driver’s license suspension.
- Assault – For a simple assault charge (which is a misdemeanor in South Carolina), you could be facing up to a $500 fine and 30 days in jail.
- Drug Crimes – Simple possession charges are also misdemeanors in South Carolina, while distribution and other more-serious crimes are felonies that can carry years or decades behind bars.
Getting convicted of a crime can have academic, professional, military, immigration, and other consequences as well. As a result, you owe it to yourself to fight your case by all means available.
2. You May Have a Variety of Options for Avoiding Unnecessary Consequences
When you are facing criminal charges in South Carolina, fighting for a “Not guilty” verdict at trial is not your only option. Depending on the facts of your case, you may also have options such as:
- Entering into a pre-trial diversion program (which allows you to avoid a conviction without going to court);
- Seeking a pre-trial dismissal on constitutional or other grounds; and/or,
- Negotiating a plea bargain for a reduced charge or sentence.
An experienced defense lawyer will be able to help you understand your options based on the specific circumstances of your case. Then, you can use this information to make smart decisions about your next steps.
3. Avoiding Unnecessary Consequences Requires an Informed Approach to Your Case
Regardless of the options you have available, avoiding unnecessary consequences requires an informed approach to your case. Once you hire an experienced defense lawyer to represent you, your lawyer will be able to give you advice, help you make smart decisions, and help you avoid costly mistakes every step of the way.
4. The Prosecutor’s Role is To Pursue a Conviction By All Means Available
Regardless of whether you hire a defense lawyer to represent you, prosecutors will be on the other side of your case. Prosecutors are lawyers who work for the government, and their job is to pursue a conviction by all means available. They will not go easy on you if you choose not to hire a lawyer.
5. The Judge’s Role is to Apply the Law to the Facts Presented in Court
The judge will not go easy on you, either. In criminal cases, the judge’s role is to apply the law to the facts presented in court. If the judge only has the prosecution’s facts to go on, the judge may have no choice but to find you guilty and impose a sentence consistent with South Carolina law.
Preparing for Your Free Consultation with a Criminal Defense Lawyer
As we said above, hiring a defense lawyer to represent you starts with scheduling a free consultation. To prepare for your free consultation, you should:
- Take detailed notes about the events leading up to your arrest.
- Take detailed notes about everything that has happened since your arrest; and,
- Prepare a list of questions you want to ask during your free consultation.
While it is important to take these steps, it is even more important to get started on your defense as soon as possible. With this in mind, if you are fuzzy on the details or don’t know what questions you want to ask, this should not stop you from scheduling a free consultation today.
Answers to Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Criminal Attorney Free Consultations in South Carolina
Are assault and violent crime cases eligible for a free attorney consultation?
Yes, we provide free consultations for all criminal cases in South Carolina. Regardless of the charge (or charges) you are facing, we strongly encourage you to schedule a free consultation at our law firm today.
What happens during a free criminal defense consultation?
A free criminal defense consultation is an opportunity to learn what you can expect from your criminal case and get questions to any questions you may have. At the end of your free consultation, you should feel like you have the information you need to make smart decisions about your next steps.
Will the attorney give legal advice during a free consultation?
Your attorney may provide some advice during your free consultation, but the purpose of this meeting is more about providing you with information than advice. Before your attorney can provide in-depth advice, he or she will need to learn the details of your case.
How long does a free criminal defense consultation usually last?
A free criminal defense consultation usually lasts somewhere around 30 minutes. Depending on the complexity of your case, your free consultation could be shorter or longer.
Experienced South Carolina Criminal Lawyer | Free Consultation | Call Today
If you would like to schedule a free consultation with a South Carolina criminal lawyer, we encourage you to contact us today. Call 803-328-8822 or request an appointment online now.