When you face a criminal case, you should not go into it unprepared. A West Columbia criminal lawyer can explain the charge, protect your rights and talk with you about your options. A lawyer who understands how the criminal justice system works can help you decide what steps to take next.
Touma Law Group serves West Columbia from its Columbia office at 1820 Bull Street, Columbia, SC 29201. Call (803) 879-4499 to schedule a free consultation. Our Columbia criminal defense attorneys can review the charge with you. A licensed South Carolina attorney at our firm must review the facts of your case before you rely on the general information on this page.
What Should I Do First if I’ve Been Arrested?
If you have been arrested, you have the right to remain silent and the right to a lawyer. Under Miranda v. Arizona, police must warn you of those rights before they question you while you are in custody, and the Fifth Amendment protects you from being forced to incriminate yourself. You can ask for a lawyer before you answer questions. If you think there may be a warrant for your arrest, a lawyer can help you find out and explain how to handle it.
Do not resist the arrest, even if you disagree with what the officers are doing. In South Carolina, knowingly resisting an arrest by a person you know or reasonably should know is a law enforcement officer is a separate misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of $500 to $1,000, up to one year in jail, or both (S.C. Code Ann. § 16-9-320(A)). You can raise your disagreement with the arrest later in court, with the help of your attorney.
Why Should I Hire a Criminal Defense Lawyer?
The Sixth Amendment gives a person accused of a crime the right to the assistance of counsel. A West Columbia criminal defense attorney can explain the law and the court process, and can review the evidence in your case.
A lawyer can point out possible weaknesses in the prosecution’s case, look into possible defenses, and help you understand your rights throughout a criminal case.
A lawyer can investigate your case, interview witnesses, prepare evidence, file the necessary paperwork and keep you informed about what is happening at each stage of your case. The outcome of a case depends on the facts, the evidence and the law, and no lawyer can promise a particular result.
What Do Criminal Defense Lawyers Do?
Criminal defense attorneys represent people who are facing criminal charges. They give legal advice, speak with prosecutors, interview witnesses and represent clients at trial.
A lawyer’s job includes appearing in court for a client and explaining the law and the process to people who do not know it. A lawyer can also review whether there were errors or misconduct in the investigation or the proceedings, and can tell clients about the options available to them. Depending on the charge, those options can include plea negotiations, a trial, or a program such as pretrial intervention, which the Pretrial Intervention Act governs for eligible defendants.
Tips on Hiring a Lawyer for Criminal Defense Cases
When you look for a lawyer in South Carolina, consider the lawyer’s legal experience, knowledge of South Carolina laws and license to practice in the state. A person may practice law in South Carolina only if enrolled as a member of the South Carolina Bar (S.C. Code Ann. § 40-5-310).
Schedule a Consultation With Attorneys
It helps to meet a lawyer before you hire one. Touma Law offers free consultations. It is important that you feel comfortable talking about your case with your lawyer and that the lawyer explains legal concepts in a way you understand. You should feel listened to and treated with respect.
Ask About Their Experience
Ask whether a lawyer is willing to represent you in court if your case requires it, and how the lawyer would approach a case like yours. You can ask a defense lawyer questions about their experience with cases similar to yours. Keep in mind that no lawyer can promise a result, so be cautious about anyone who does.
Look at Their Reviews
Communication matters. A lawyer should be able to explain legal matters clearly and keep you updated on the progress of your case. Online reviews can give you an idea of how a firm works with clients, but they describe other people’s cases and do not predict the result in yours.
Ask potential lawyers about their qualifications and how they communicate. Which court hears your case depends on the charge and where it is alleged to have happened. The SC Judicial Branch courthouse directory lists the county courthouses, and your attorney can confirm where your case will be heard.
Criminal Cases We Handle
Touma Law Group is a criminal defense firm that represents people facing criminal offenses in West Columbia and the surrounding area from its Columbia office. The criminal cases we handle include:
- Criminal defense
- DUI charges: a first offense carries, at the lowest tier, a fine of $400 or 48 hours to 30 days in jail, and higher alcohol concentrations carry higher penalties (S.C. Code Ann. § 56-5-2930)
- Drug charges, including simple possession, drug crimes and drug trafficking (S.C. Code Ann. § 44-53-370)
- Domestic violence (S.C. Code Ann. § 16-25-20)
- Theft charges (S.C. Code Ann. § 16-13-30)
- Student defense
- Juvenile defense: a child accused of breaking a state or local law is generally handled in Family Court, with exceptions set out by statute (S.C. Code Ann. § 63-3-510)
- Gun charges (S.C. Code Ann. § 16-23-50)
- Assault and battery (S.C. Code Ann. § 16-3-600)
- Federal charges
- White collar crimes
Penalties differ by charge and can change when the General Assembly amends a statute, so confirm the current law and your specific charge with your attorney. An attorney at our firm can review your charge with you and explain how the court process works.
Schedule a Free Consultation With Our Defense Firm
Whether or not you have a prior criminal history, facing criminal charges can be frightening. If you have been accused of a crime in South Carolina, you may be worried about your future. You may face serious consequences, including financial penalties or prison time.
You do not have to face the process alone. Our attorneys can listen to what happened, explain the charge and talk with you about your options.
You can set up a free consultation by calling our Columbia office at (803) 879-4499. In the initial consultation, we will listen to your side of the story and discuss how the charges against you may be addressed. We cannot promise any particular result.
