Criminal Defense Attorneys Columbia SC
Criminal investigations, arrests, and charges can be life-changing. These are matters for which you have little understanding or experience. They can have profound consequences on your reputation, your job or career, your family, and your future. Because of this, having someone on your side who knows the law, how the criminal justice system works, and how to get positive results is critical.
At Truslow & Truslow, you can turn to our Columbia criminal defense attorneys, who will aggressively advocate for you while representing you both in and out of court. Our team understands how to tackle criminal charges, whether they involve DUI, drug offenses, property crimes, crimes against people, or other offenses. We have focused on criminal matters since 1975 and can put our long history of representation to work for you.
Have you been arrested for a criminal offense? Call Truslow & Truslow today at 803.256.6276 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation with our criminal defense lawyers in Columbia.
Providing Experienced Representation
Not only can criminal charges threaten you with jail or prison time, heavy fines, lengthy and restrictive probation, and other court-ordered actions, but a conviction will result in a permanent criminal record. Your record will be accessible through any routine background check. This means it will be available to present and future employers, professional licensing boards, landlords, and others. Because of this, you could be turned down for present or future life opportunities.
Living with a tarnished reputation and a criminal record can be difficult at best. That is why you need to ensure that you have representation dedicated to protecting your rights and seeking your best interests, whether through negotiations with prosecutors or at trial in the criminal courts. Our team has decades of experience handling criminal cases in court as well as providing proactive intervention in criminal investigations and seeking dropped charges, dismissed cases, or reduced charges when negotiating with prosecutors.
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Criminal Cases We Handle
Our team handles all types of arrests and charges in municipal, state, and federal courts as well as with Magistrates, including but not limited to the following:
- Drug crimes: drug manufacturing, drug possession, drug distribution, drug trafficking, and prescription fraud.
- Traffic crimes: DUI, driving under suspension, reckless driving, and vehicular manslaughter.
- Crimes against people: criminal domestic violence (CDV), assault and battery, criminal sexual conduct (CSC), kidnapping, and hazing.
- Property crimes: arson, burglary, robbery, petit larceny, grand larceny, and shoplifting.
- White collar crimes: bribery, extortion, embezzlement, forgery, counterfeiting, various types of fraud, identity theft, and more.
- Miscellaneous crimes: offenses on federal property, offenses on Fort Jackson or Shaw Air Force Base, public intoxication, disorderly conduct, minor in possession of alcohol, ABC violations, and more.
We understand what may be at stake for you and your family. That is why we devote ourselves to resolving your case in the best possible way based on your individual situation. We believe everyone deserves an effective defense regardless of the nature of the crime at stake. Our team has handled thousands of cases for South Carolinians, whether adults, minors, or military personnel. You can rely on our advocacy, knowledge, and skills whether you are under investigation or have already been charged.
Defenses Against Criminal Charges in South Carolina
In South Carolina, there are various defenses available to individuals facing criminal charges. Some common defenses that can be used include:
- Innocence: Evidence, alibis, or witness testimony may be used to argue that you did not commit the crime charged against you.
- Self-Defense: You may be able to prove self-defense if you acted reasonably to protect yourself or others from harm.
- Defense of Property: You may be able to argue that you acted to protect your property or the property of others.
- Duress: If you were forced or coerced into committing a crime under threat of harm to yourself or someone else, you might be able to raise the defense of duress.
- Mistaken Identity: You may be able to claim that you were wrongly identified as the perpetrator of the crime and can provide evidence that demonstrates you were not present at the scene.
- Lack of Intent: If you can prove that you lacked the necessary intent to commit the crime, it may serve as a defense.
- Entrapment: Entrapment transpires when police officers influence an individual to commit a crime they would not have otherwise committed on their own.
- Constitutional Violations: Evidence may be suppressed or excluded from a trial if law enforcement violated your constitutional rights during the investigation, arrest, or search and seizure.
The availability of these defenses may vary depending on the specific facts and circumstances surrounding the case. It’s essential to consult with a criminal defense attorney from Truslow & Truslow, who can help assess your situation and determine the most effective defense strategy.
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Contact Our Columbia Criminal Defense Lawyers Today
If you are in need of a committed and experienced criminal defense lawyer in Columbia, SC, Truslow & Truslow is here to help. Our team understands the challenges and complexities of criminal cases and is dedicated to providing you with the vigorous representation you deserve. Regardless if you are facing charges for a DUI, drug offense, assault, theft, or another criminal matter, we have the skills and knowledge to navigate the justice system on your behalf. Devoted to protecting your rights and pursuing the best possible result for your case, we take pride in our compassionate approach and strategic advocacy. Contact Truslow & Truslow today to schedule a free consultation, and let our Columbia criminal defense attorneys fight for your rights and freedom.
Common Criminal Defense FAQs
Early intervention is your most powerful defense. From the moment you are a suspect, your rights are at risk. Contacting our firm early allows us to protect you during police questioning, guide your interactions, and begin investigating while evidence is fresh. We can also engage with prosecutors before formal charges are even filed, often to argue against charges being brought or to influence them to be less severe, which can dramatically alter the trajectory of your case.
Our attorneys have deep, localized experience critical for effective defense. Founder Douglas N. Truslow is a former Assistant Solicitor who managed the Major Crimes Unit for Richland County, giving him unparalleled insight into prosecution strategies. We have practiced in these courtrooms for decades, cultivating professional relationships and a thorough understanding of local judges, prosecutors, and court procedures. This “inside” knowledge is invaluable for negotiating favorable outcomes and crafting arguments that resonate.
A conviction creates a permanent criminal record that acts as a lifelong barrier. It can lead to the loss of current and future employment, professional licenses (in nursing, law, real estate, etc.), eligibility for student loans, housing opportunities, and even child custody rights. For non-citizens, it can trigger deportation. Our goal is not just to avoid jail time but to protect your record and your future, often seeking dispositions that result in dismissal, acquittal, or record expungement.
We begin with a meticulous investigation, obtaining all discovery (evidence) from the prosecution. We then analyze it for weaknesses, such as violations of your constitutional rights (illegal search/seizure, Miranda violations), unreliable witnesses, flawed forensic evidence, or alibis. We tailor a strategy that may involve filing pre-trial motions to suppress evidence, negotiating for case dismissal or charge reduction, or preparing for a vigorous trial defense built on themes like mistaken identity, lack of intent, self-defense, or reasonable doubt.
Absolutely. A significant portion of criminal cases are resolved before trial through skilled negotiation. By conducting a thorough investigation and identifying flaws in the prosecution’s case early, we are often able to convince prosecutors that their case is weak or that a lesser charge is more appropriate. Our reputation as formidable trial attorneys strengthens our negotiating position, as prosecutors know we are fully prepared to go to court and challenge them if a fair resolution cannot be reached.
Your only response should be: “I wish to remain silent and I want to speak with my attorney.” You are under no obligation to answer questions, and anything you say can be misconstrued and used against you. Politely invoke your rights, then contact us immediately. Do not try to explain your way out of the situation; an investigator’s goal is to gather evidence for a conviction, not to clear your name. Let us be your voice.
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