Florence Criminal Defense Lawyer

Florence Criminal Defense Attorney

Being arrested for a crime can be a life-changing experience, and it’s natural for anyone in this situation to feel a strong mix of emotions and a great deal of uncertainty about the proceedings ahead of them. If you have been arrested for any criminal offense in Florence, it is vital to know your rights in this situation and the value of having defense representation you can trust as your case unfolds.

Experienced Criminal Defense Counsel

The attorneys at Axelrod & Associates, P.A., have extensive professional experience in criminal defense. Every individual charged with a crime in South Carolina has the right to legal counsel, and a private criminal defense attorney with a proven record of success is the ideal asset for anyone in this situation. When you choose our firm to represent your defense, we will immediately begin gathering evidence to challenge the prosecution’s case. If you have been wrongfully accused of a crime you did not commit, we will seek to clear your name as soon as possible, and if you did break the law, we will do everything we can to minimize your penalties as much as the law allows.

Know Your Rights After an Arrest in Florence

Every American citizen has two very important constitutional rights that come into play upon arrest for any crime. First is the Fifth Amendment right to remain silent, a protection against self-incrimination. No American citizen is compelled to act as a witness against themselves in a criminal case. Once you are placed under arrest, you have no obligation to answer any questions or sign any statements for the police.

Comply with arresting officers politely to avoid having resisting arrest or similar charges added against you, but do not say anything until you have legal representation. The Sixth Amendment guarantees your right to legal counsel. Once you are permitted to make your phone calls after booking, contact a Florence criminal defense attorney you can trust to build an effective defense for you.

Types of Criminal Cases We Handle

The state’s criminal code includes specific penalties for various types of criminal offenses. Many crimes can be prosecuted at the misdemeanor or felony level, depending on the severity of the offense. A few of the most common types of criminal cases we represent for clients in the Florence area include:

• Driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol or drugs. Penalties for this offense can include driver’s license suspension, fines, and jail time. At the misdemeanor level, the defendant could face time in county jail, while a felony DUI offense could lead to incarceration in state prison. Penalties for DUI offenses increase when a defendant has a record of past DUI offenses and/or if they cause bodily harm or death.
• Drug offenses. These are some of the most commonly prosecuted crimes in the United States. Possession of an illicit substance, possession with intent to sell, and drug trafficking are just a few examples of drug charges you might face in Florence. The severity of the penalties a defendant faces usually hinges on the type and quantity of the drug.
• Violent crime. Any type of assault and/or battery is likely to lead to felony prosecution, especially if the defendant caused severe bodily harm to a victim with their actions. In most criminal cases involving violent crimes, self-defense is the only viable defense available to the defendant.
• Sex offenses. These are some of the most heavily prosecuted crimes in the state, and penalties for any sex offense can include fines, incarceration, restitution to the victim, and registration as a sex offender, potentially for life. Penalties for sex offenses increase dramatically when a victim is a minor and/or the defendant caused severe bodily harm to the victim.

It is possible for a defendant to face multiple charges in a single case, and it is possible for additional minor offenses to be added against them due to their actions during and after arrest and other details uncovered by the prosecution.

When you choose Axelrod & Associates, P.A., to represent your defense, we will begin by reviewing the details of how the police and prosecutors have handled your case. We will identify any procedural missteps or misconduct that may form grounds for case dismissal. If the prosecution has a solid case against you, we will begin searching for evidence that builds your defense and helps you understand what to expect as your case unfolds.

How Your Florence Criminal Defense Attorney Can Help

In every criminal case prosecuted, the burden of proof rests with the prosecution. This means the prosecutor seeking conviction must prove that the defendant is guilty of the charges against them beyond any reasonable doubt. They will attempt to accomplish this by effectively leveraging evidence and testimony to convince the jury that they are guilty. The criminal defense attorney aims to ensure their client’s rights are protected throughout their case proceedings.

If you have been wrongfully accused of a crime you did not commit, you cannot hope that the prosecutor’s case will fall apart naturally. Circumstantial evidence could be stacked against you, and the jury may begin forming opinions at the very outset of your case proceedings. Your defense attorney can highlight problems with the prosecution’s evidence, produce exculpatory evidence that contradicts and challenges their case, and ultimately do everything they can to prevent the prosecution from meeting their burden of proof.

Time is a crucial consideration for anyone facing criminal charges in Florence. You have a very limited time in which to secure defense representation after arrest, and the police will likely do everything they can to convince you to sign a confession or provide a statement they can use against you. When you choose Axelrod & Associates, P.A., you will have a responsive legal advocate readily available to assist you with every aspect of your defense, and our team can help you determine the most viable strategies available to you that may bolster your defense. Our goal is case dismissal or acquittal if possible, but we can potentially help a client negotiate a lighter penalty if necessary.

Criminal Defense Lawyer FAQs

Q: How Do I Find a Good Criminal Defense Attorney?

A: It’s important to find defense counsel as soon as possible after you have been arrested and booked for any criminal offense in Florence, but it is equally important not to rush your decision to hire an attorney. Take time to find an attorney who has proven experience handling cases similar to yours and offers a reasonable billing policy. Remember to exercise your right to remain silent until you have secured defense representation.

Q: What Does a Criminal Defense Attorney Do?

A: In any criminal case, the prosecutor has the burden of proving a defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. It is the defense attorney’s job to prevent this from happening. Your Florence criminal defense attorney can help gather exculpatory evidence that proves you were wrongfully arrested for a crime you did not commit, challenge the prosecution’s evidence, or assist you in securing a plea agreement if you did break the law. Ultimately, you have the greatest chance of reaching a positive outcome to your case when you have reliable defense counsel on your side.

Q: How Can I Minimize My Penalties for a Crime?

A: Criminal offenses in South Carolina are prosecuted as misdemeanors or felonies, with the latter involving much harsher penalties for convicted defendants. Some defendants may have the option of signing plea deals, exchanging immediate guilty pleas for lighter sentences, and/or reduced or dropped charges. However, plea deals are not always offered. Your Florence criminal defense attorney is the most effective asset you have for reaching the optimal outcome to your impending criminal case.

Q: How Much Does a Criminal Defense Attorney Cost?

A: Every private criminal defense attorney has a different billing policy. Most will charge their clients an hourly rate for their representation, so the more time they spend working on a case, the more it costs the client. Always verify a potential attorney’s billing policy before signing a contract for their representation.

Q: How Long Will My Criminal Case Take to Conclude?

A: The criminal justice system can move slowly at times, and it is possible for any given case to take several months or even several years to resolve. Your Florence criminal defense attorney can offer an estimate of your case’s likely timetable and assist you in exploring any options you may have to expedite your proceedings. The time a case takes to complete typically hinges on the extent and severity of the charges filed against the defendant.

The right criminal defense attorney on your side can potentially mean the difference between conviction and acquittal or dismissal, and you must exercise your constitutional right to legal representation as soon as possible after an arrest for any crime. The attorneys at Axelrod & Associates, P.A., can provide the comprehensive legal support you will need for your impending case, and the sooner you reach out to our team, the sooner we can begin compiling your defense. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and learn what a seasoned Florence criminal defense attorney can do for you.