Criminal Defense in Mt. Pleasant – Free Consultation

We work hard to excel as criminal defense lawyers in Mount Pleasant, SC. We have the highest rating (AV) by Martindale-Hubbell. Stephan Futeral has an AVVO rating of 10 (Superb), and one of Super Lawyers Rising Stars is Thomas Nelson. The National Trial Lawyers Top 100 Criminal Trial Lawyers includes Stephan and Thomas. This is an invitation-only organization composed of the premier trial lawyers from each state who meet strict qualifications as criminal defense lawyers. Also, our clients give us 5 stars ★★★★★ on Google Reviews.

Choosing the right criminal defense lawyer in Mt. Pleasant can make all the difference. For a FREE consultation, get in touch with us right away if you require a criminal defense attorney in Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina.

• Under SC law, embezzlement and other financial crimes have serious consequences. Contact us to put us to work defending you as soon as possible.

1. ASSAULT & BATTERY

   • We’ve spent decades defending people in Mount Pleasant from charges such as Assault & Battery.

2. CRIMINAL DOMESTIC VIOLENCE (CDV)

   • CDV charges mean major consequences to your future. Our top-rated criminal attorneys have helped hundreds of clients with CDV charges.

3. DRUG CRIMES

   • Drug arrests are frequent in Mount Pleasant and range from simple possession to distribution. Whatever drug charges you may be facing, we can defend your rights.

4. DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE (DUI)

   • Mount Pleasant enforces DUI’s aggressively. Likewise, we will vigorously defend you if you are facing a DUI.

5. EMBEZZLEMENT

   • Embezzlement and other financial crimes are serious under South Carolina law with steep fines and a long jail sentence. Let us work on your defense today.

6. SHOPLIFTING & THEFT

   • We have over 30 years of combined experience defending people in the Mount Pleasant area who have been arrested for shoplifting in Wal-Mart and other stores. 

7. JUVENILE CHARGES

   • When a kid is taken into custody In South Carolina, they are not treated the same as adults. As juvenile justice lawyers in Mount Pleasant, we’ve helped many kids who’ve been charged of crimes in South Carolina. 

8. WHITE-COLLAR CRIMES

   • White-collar crime is a highly sophisticated legal area, which is why it is crucial that you hire an experienced lawyer in this legal field, such as one of our defense attorneys.

Helpful Information by Our Mt. Pleasant Criminal Attorneys

As criminal defense lawyers & criminal attorneys in Mt. Pleasant, we’ve prepared this overview of what to do if you’re arrested and to answer some of the typical questions our clients ask us:

• You have the right to know the details of your arrest, including the accusations that are being brought against you (the crime for which you are being arrested).
• Before being interrogated (but not before being arrested), you must be informed of your legal rights (often referred to as Miranda rights).

You also have the following rights:

• The right to call or otherwise communicate with a responsible person to inform them of your arrest and the nature of your charges. 
• The right to have a lawyer present during any line-up or other identification process where you could be seen by potential bystanders.
• The right to reasonable bail or bond to secure your release from jail unless you are charged with a capital crime.
• The right to be brought before a court as soon as is reasonably practicable after your arrest, so that you can request a preliminary hearing to challenge whether there was “probable cause” to arrest you.
• The right to a jury trial to determine your guilt or innocence.

Many individuals mistakenly think that if police enforcement doesn’t inform you of your Miranda rights, which include the right to silence, the accusations against you will be dropped. In South Carolina and other states, the police are only required to read you a Miranda warning after they have already taken you into custody but before they question you. Your statements can’t be used against you in court if the police do not read you your Miranda rights, but the charges will not be dropped.

Bond Court – After you are arrested, fingerprinted, and jailed, you’ll appear before a magistrate judge in bond court. In Mt. Pleasant, this is done by video conference. You have a right to an attorney during your bond hearing. The judge will determine whether you pose a flight risk or a community safety concern before determining the appropriate bond amount. You’ll need to post bail in order to be let out of jail unless the judge grants you a release on your own “personal recognizance.”

Bail is a monetary guarantee that when you are released from custody, you will appear in court again. To post bail, there are two options. First, money (or other assets) may be posted with the court clerk. Second, you can employ a bail bondsman to post bail if you don’t have the money. A bondsman costs a fee, which is not reimbursed after your case is resolved. You will receive a refund if you personally post bond and the charge is dropped or you are proven not guilty. Your money will be refunded to you following your sentencing if you are proven guilty.

Preliminary Hearing – You are entitled to a preliminary hearing in South Carolina, and you have ten days from the date of your bond hearing to request one. The prosecution must demonstrate to the judge during the preliminary hearing that there was “probable cause” to arrest you. Your arresting officer must be able to provide evidence supporting their suspicions that you committed a crime in order to establish probable cause. Your charge might be dropped if the judge doesn’t find the reasonable cause.

Discovery – Finding out what information the prosecution plans to use against you will help you plan your defense. You have the right to get this material from the prosecution in South Carolina through official, written motions for discovery. You have the right to the disclosure of any evidence that tends to exonerate you of guilt, first and foremost (exculpatory evidence). You also have the right to information including witness statements, photos, papers, test or experiment findings, and other details.

Trial – It typically takes many months to a year for cases in Mount Pleasant and the neighboring areas to be scheduled for trial. You have the option of a jury trial with 12 jurors in criminal cases in General Sessions Court or 6 jurors in misdemeanor cases in magistrate’s court, or a bench trial (a judge hears and resolves your case). The prosecution testifies first during a trial, and the defense last. The prosecution has the burden of proving your guilt beyond a reasonable doubt since you are presumed innocent unless proven guilty. This means that you are not needed to present any testimony or supporting evidence to prove your innocence.

The jury reaches a decision after hearing from the witnesses, the attorneys, and the lawyers’ closing arguments. If you’re found not guilty, the case is closed, and you can leave. If the jury finds you guilty, the judge will determine your penalty, which may include fines, probation, or even jail time.