Longs Criminal Defense Lawyer

Longs Criminal Defense Attorney

When you are accused of a criminal offense, you have the right to legal representation. It can be terrifying to face criminal charges, especially knowing that a conviction can hurt your entire life and future opportunities. Even a minor charge could lead to a criminal record that prevents you from educational or career opportunities.

However, an arrest and charge do not equal a conviction. You have rights you can exercise, including the right to an attorney, and you can work with diligent legal counsel to defend against penalties such as fines and imprisonment. Your attorney can protect your rights throughout the entirety of your criminal case. You deserve a fair trial, and you need a strong and knowledgeable criminal law attorney in Longs, SC to defend you against criminal charges. An attorney provides the greatest chance of mitigating the penalties of a conviction or getting the charges against you dropped.

Axelrod & Associates: Defending Our Community’s Rights

When the prosecution charges you with a crime, they believe that they can win the case against you. Your attorney has to be capable of finding the weaknesses in their case and challenging the evidence against you. They must also create an effective defense and negotiate with the prosecution if necessary.

At Axelrod & Associates, we have over 100 years of collective experience providing legal services and have successfully defended individuals in the criminal law system for many years. We are proud to represent those facing criminal charges in our community in Loris, and we believe that everyone has the right to vigorous defense in criminal court. Our attorneys always remain upfront and honest with you about your criminal case, ensuring that you understand your legal options and the likely outcomes of your charges. We investigate the case against you and fight for the most favorable outcome. We understand how severely criminal charges can affect your life and work to eliminate or lessen those effects.

Common Criminal Cases in Longs

The attorneys at Axelrod & Associates have seen numerous criminal law cases. Some of the most common include:

• Juvenile criminal offenses. Minors under the age of 17 or 18 may be charged in juvenile court rather than criminal court, particularly for drug crimes, theft, or assault. Juvenile court is a facet of family court. An experienced defense attorney is still important for limiting the consequences of these charges. If a juvenile is tried in criminal court, an experienced criminal defense attorney is essential.
• Theft and property crimes. Common theft and property crimes include shoplifting, burglary, larceny, robbery, and armed robbery. Theft and property crimes could be charged as misdemeanors or felonies. Aggravating factors, such as violent actions, the use of deadly weapons, or the involvement of high-value stolen items, may affect the sentencing for these crimes.
• Drug offenses. Drug offenses include crimes such as possession, manufacturing, distribution, sale, and trafficking of controlled substances. The penalties faced for drug offenses depend on the nature of the crime and the type and amount of controlled substance involved.
• Driving under the influence (DUI/DWI). This is operating a motor vehicle while impaired or over the legal limit due to drug or alcohol use. In South Carolina, the legal limit is 0.08% blood alcohol concentration (BAC). DUI offenses can result in the suspension of your driver’s license in addition to criminal penalties.
• White-collar crimes. These include crimes such as many types of fraud, embezzlement, money laundering, forgery, bribery, cybercrime, and insider trading. White-collar crimes are frequently committed in a business, corporate, or other professional setting.
• Domestic violence. Domestic violence charges occur when family members or those who share a household commit physical acts of violence. They may result in both civil and criminal cases against an accused individual, and they can also lead to restraining orders.
• Assault and battery. Assault is charged when someone causes or tries to cause harm to another person, while battery is charged when physical harm is done to another person. These two charges are frequently pressed at the same time.
• Sex crimes. These charges include sexual assault, criminal sexual conduct, and prostitution. A sex crime conviction can result in mandatory registration as a sex offender.
• Homicide. Homicide is an umbrella term for manslaughter and murder charges. If a homicide case is charged as a capital crime, it could result in the death penalty.

Criminal cases involve several steps and may include bond hearings, appeals for charges, and relief proceedings after conviction. An attorney is a necessary asset in helping you manage these various hearings and has experience dealing with each part of a criminal law case. Every criminal case is unique, and your criminal defense attorney can use their experience to help you navigate the proceedings and be prepared throughout the case.

What Can I Expect From a Criminal Defense Case?

Your unique case may differ, but the typical process for a criminal defense case follows these steps:

1. Investigation. After a crime is reported, law enforcement will investigate the crime and gather evidence. If they believe that they have enough evidence to charge you with the crime, they will arrest you. If you know that there is a criminal case against you, or you have been arrested and charged, you need to get in contact with a defense attorney as soon as possible. The earlier you begin working with legal counsel, the better protected your rights are and the sooner an attorney can begin your defense strategy.
2. Arraignment. An arraignment is where you plead guilty or not guilty to the charges against you. Your attorney can advise you on your options for both by determining if negotiations with the prosecution are needed or if the case should proceed to a trial. Pleading guilty may result in immediate sentencing, while a not-guilty plea results in a trial.
3. Pre-trial motions. This may include actions such as filing to dismiss the case or suppress evidence when appropriate. These actions can affect the entire trial, so you want an attorney who understands the importance of pre-trial motions.
4. Trial. Your criminal defense attorney and the state prosecution will present their cases during the trial, either to a judge or to the jury. You want an attorney who is experienced in criminal trials, knows how to build an effective defense, and can challenge the case brought by the prosecution. The state prosecution must prove that you are guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
5. Sentencing. If you are convicted, you may be sentenced to jail time, imprisonment, and fines. You may also be provided with alternative sentencing in place of all or some of your incarceration, including community service or probation. If avoiding conviction isn’t possible, your defense attorney can fight to reduce your penalties.
6. Post-trial motions. A post-trial motion may include a motion for a new trial or a motion to set aside the verdict. These motions apply in unique circumstances.
7. Appeals. For some criminal cases, you can appeal the conviction to a higher court to alter the guilty verdict or the terms of your sentence.

Criminal Defense Lawyers FAQs

Q: What Is a Defense Lawyer?

A: A criminal defense attorney represents a person who is charged with a criminal offense. An attorney protects and defends their client’s rights while guiding them through the criminal justice system. A criminal defense attorney:

• Gathers evidence
• Interviews witnesses
• Challenges evidence
• Negotiates settlements with prosecutors
• Advocates for their client in court
• Builds a defense strategy

The goal of a defense attorney is to mitigate or eliminate the charges and penalties against their client.

Q: How Much Do Criminal Defense Attorneys Charge Per Hour in South Carolina?

A: The average hourly rate for a criminal defense attorney in South Carolina is $351 an hour. However, this rate varies drastically based on the attorney. An attorney’s fees are based on several factors, including their level of experience, how difficult your case is expected to be, and where the attorney’s firm is located. Some attorneys will charge a flat fee, particularly for straightforward defense cases. You should always discuss fee structures and pricing with an attorney before you hire them. Ensure that you can afford their services for the duration of your case, and don’t work with attorneys who are not upfront with you about their costs.

Q: What Is a Retainer Fee?

A: A retainer fee is an upfront payment for an attorney’s services, based on the anticipated number of hours an attorney will work. This retainer fee covers an attorney’s future and ongoing services to a client and introduces a continued professional relationship. The cost of this fee varies based on an attorney’s experience and a client’s particular case. A retainer fee is in addition to other attorney fees and is a common practice in criminal law cases.

Q: What Is Attorney-Client Privilege?

A: The attorney-client privilege is an essential aspect of legal representation, as it protects clients by ensuring that they can have confidential discussions with their legal advocate. This allows a client to discuss their case openly with their attorney without fear of this information being used against them in court. In a criminal law case, the attorney-client privilege allows an attorney to understand the client’s situation and create a strong defense strategy. This protection does have its limitations, however, such as not extending to future criminal actions committed by the client.

Contact Axelrod & Associates for Your Longs Criminal Defense

When you are charged with a crime, it is not the end, and these charges can be fought. A skilled attorney can determine what options, such as case dismissal, plea bargains, or other legal routes, can help your situation. Contact Axelrod & Associates today for a strong criminal defense.