You have the constitutional right to be represented by an attorney when you’ve been accused of committing a violent crime. If you wind up in handcuffs and charged with a criminal offense, exercise and protect your rights by contacting the South Carolina violent crimes defense attorneys at Truslow & Truslow in West Columbia as soon as possible.
When the police or prosecutors bring charges against you, the status and future of your freedom are thrown into complete uncertainty. You’re presumed innocent until proven guilty, but it is hardly unusual to feel stress and fear of what may happen in court. This is especially true if the cops grabbed the wrong person or if you’ve never been accused of a crime.
In addition to being deprived of your physical freedom, a conviction, moreover, could result in you losing your job, your savings, your right to vote, and the revocation of any state-issued licenses. And think of the unpleasant ripple effects on your family. Even coming under a criminal investigation without an arrest can be unnerving and isolating. You don’t have to go it alone. The West Columbia criminal defense lawyers at Truslow & Truslow will help you to relax during this challenging time by mounting the strongest possible defense in your case. We will walk you through every step of your case, explaining everything from defense options to potential outcomes and what to expect.
When you’ve been charged with a crime, experience counsel matters. With a combined 50-plus years of experience in criminal defense, and a track record of success, the attorneys at Truslow & Truslow will construct a strategic defense while keeping you informed at every stage.
Contact the criminal defense lawyers at Truslow & Truslow today for a free consultation. Call us at (803) 256-6276, via live chat, or with our online response form.
Why Do I Need a Lawyer?
It’s no secret that a conviction for a crime, especially a felony, can change your life forever. Upon a conviction, the amount of jail time or other penalties increases along with the severity of the crime. Within the scope of representation, a skilled South Carolina criminal defense attorney will work tirelessly on your behalf so that the violent crime charges are potentially dropped or reduced. The goal of a reduced charge is a significantly lesser prison term or none at all, plus downsized financial penalties or other court-imposed sanctions. Contesting the underlying charges and the evidence in a full-blown criminal trial is always an option to keep you.
When you are accused of committing a violent crime, it is important to call and retain an experienced criminal defense attorney immediately. An attorney well versed in criminal law plus the nuances of local jurisdictions can properly handle your case, making sure that your due-process rights are protected as the case moves through the various stages of the legal process. Don’t let the criminal justice system walk all over the rights granted to you by the U.S. Constitution or South Carolina law. Reach out to the proactive attorneys at Truslow & Truslow. In the meantime, refrain from answering any questions from authorities until a criminal defense lawyer is at your side.
In that context, everyone has a right to a lawyer when charged with a crime. A private criminal defense attorney may be able to provide representation that a public defender is unable to offer, however. By necessity, overworked court-appointed public defenders take on many cases assembly-line style and do the best they can. A skilled criminal defense attorney, in contrast, can dedicate significant time and personalized service to your case. The lawyers at Truslow & Truslow provide service and strategies tailored to your individual needs. A defense built specifically for you and positioned for your case may significantly increase the chances that the violent crime charges may be reduced or even thrown out entirely.
Why Choose Truslow & Truslow To Handle Your Violent Crime Defense?
At Truslow & Truslow, we care deeply about the fairness of all proceedings in the criminal justice system. As such, we are dedicated to protecting the rights of the accused. Our team works hard to find a way to obtain the best possible outcome for West Columbia area residents. Our seasoned and diligent criminal defense attorneys explore all options when it comes to defending violent crime charges. We have the resources to commit to building a strong defense based on the specific circumstances of your case. And we also handle appeals of rulings that might go against you.
Violent Crime Cases We Handle
The Truslow & Truslow represents individuals accused of a variety of misdemeanors and felonies of greater and lesser severity. In South Carolina, violent crime, i.e., the terminology generally describing crimes against the person, applies to a whole range of serious offenses. If you have been accused of, or formally charged with a violent crime in the West Columbia area, contact the criminal defense attorneys at Truslow & Truslow immediately.
In South Carolina, these crimes include, but are not limited to, the following:
Murder or manslaughter – A conviction for what amounts to an intentional killing can result in the death penalty or a mandatory minimum prison sentence of 30 years to life. The lesser offense of manslaughter carries a jail term of two to 30 years. A defendant convicted of attempted murder faces a maximum 30-year prison sentence. An involuntary manslaughter conviction results in a maximum five-year sentence. The stakes are particularly enormous when any homicide-related charge is in play, so high-level legal representation is a necessity.
Kidnapping – This occurs when a person, including an adult, is unlawfully seized or carried away. This crime carries a jail sentence of up to thirty years.
Assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature –This crime involves injuring someone by a method that causes or is likely to cause death or serious bodily harm. The charge can carry a sentence of up to twenty years. A conviction for assault and battery in the first and second degree imposes a jail term of 10 years or three years, respectively.
Sexual crimes – These offenses include criminal sexual conduct in the first degree and second degree, including the use of force carry a sentence of up to between twenty and thirty years behind bars.
Domestic violence — Aggravated domestic violence and first-degree domestic violence involving an attempt to harm or causing physical harm to a household member under certain statutory circumstances can be punishable by up to ten to twenty years in prison. Domestic violence in the second degree, considered a misdemeanor, carries a maximum sentence of three years.
Burglary — Violent crimes may also extend to certain crimes against property. Under Southern Carolina law, the first-degree burglary can result in 15 years to in life imprisonment, while second-degree burglary can carry a sentence of up to 15 years.
Hazing – Someone who physically harms another person as a condition of acceptance into a fraternity, sorority, or similar organization can be charged with misdemeanor hazing. If convicted on this charge, the court can impose upon the defendant a maximum fine of 500 dollars and/or a maximum one-year prison term.
This is just a broad outline of the potential legal jeopardy for anyone accused of certain violent crimes in South Carolina and subsequently found guilty. Please understand that criminal law jurisprudence in South Carolina is vast. It contains many potential violent crime offenses along with lots of technical definitions and potential legal landmines.
If you’ve been charged with a violent offense, contact Truslow & Truslow right away to discuss your situation with the utmost confidentiality. With legal precedent and current law at our fingertips, our team will craft the best possible argument for your innocence.
Put Our 50-Plus Years Of Legal Experience To Work For You Today
The West Columbia criminal defense attorneys at Truslow & Truslow are passionate about safeguarding the freedom of an accused person. For anyone represented by our firm who is charged with a violent crime, we demand that authorities meet their burden to establish probable cause and prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. We strive to ensure that law enforcement and the prosecution act reasonably and in a way that does not violate your rights. And we will be at your side during your day in court until your case is resolved.
Do not hesitate to contact a South Carolina criminal defense attorney when you have been charged with a violent crime in the West Columbia area. The attorneys at Truslow & Truslow offer a free, confidential consultation. Contact us today at [phone number] or reach out to us by live chat or by filling out our email response form to schedule a confidential case evaluation.
