Ask a Question

Get free answers to your legal questions from lawyers in your area.

Lawyers, increase your visibility by answering questions and getting points. Answer Questions
Questions Answered by Stephen Grooms
2 Answers | Asked in Criminal Law for South Carolina on
Q: What is the maximum sentence for offence code 2655. Code/Ordinance Sec 43-35-0085(B).
Stephen Grooms
PREMIUM
Stephen Grooms
answered on Mar 2, 2020

5 years in prison, felony class F

View More Answers

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law for South Carolina on
Q: I'm a first time offender reasonably what am I looking at facing in court?

I was charged with a hit and run. There was minimal damage done to either vehicle. This is my first offense. There were also issues in the police report. Officially it was claimed that I hit an unattended vehicle and there was there were people in the car when it happened. Am I facing looking fines... View More

Stephen Grooms
PREMIUM
Stephen Grooms
answered on Feb 26, 2020

If no one was injured and the damage was minimal then the Hit and Run charge is likely a misdemeanor charge carrying up 30 days for an unattended vehicle or up to 1 year in prison if the vehicle was occupied and property damage was the result. No ethical attorney can tell you what the sentence will... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Criminal Law and Federal Crimes for South Carolina on
Q: do you automatically get jail time if you’re a first timer with two felonies? assault 1st degree. burglary 1st degree.
Stephen Grooms
PREMIUM
Stephen Grooms
answered on Feb 26, 2020

If you were convicted of Burglary 1st Degree the minimum mandatory sentence is 15 years in prison. The assault charge has no minimum so probation would be possible if convicted on that charge. However just because you are charged doesn't mean you will be convicted, and there is often times a... View More

View More Answers

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law and Sexual Harassment for South Carolina on
Q: what would the charges be if a 17 year old is raped by three college students? victim was intoxicated before the assault

marijuana was involved, but it was the victims.

Stephen Grooms
PREMIUM
Stephen Grooms
answered on Feb 24, 2020

In South Carolina age 17 is considered to be an adult in terms of engaging in sexual activity so her age alone will not result in a potential criminal charge, but if she was voluntarily intoxicated to the point of being "mentally defective, mentally incapacitated, or physically helpless"... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law, Appeals / Appellate Law and Civil Litigation for South Carolina on
Q: I'm 1995, was convicted of murder in Union County, South Carolina.

Agree months ago, the victims family members wrote The Solicitors Office, The Clerk of Court, and The Department of Probation, Parole, And Pardon Services asking them to please release do to mercy /clemecy. Other members of The community also wrote The Department. No answer or response has been... View More

Stephen Grooms
PREMIUM
Stephen Grooms
answered on Feb 14, 2020

To be blunt, they do not have to answer the letters or open any investigation into a closed case for the reasons given. A judge and jury heard the case in 1995 and a decision was made. Reducing a sentence on the grounds that the interested parties now want mercy is not going to be possible without... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law for South Carolina on
Q: Can I buy a firearm if I plead guilty to distribution of cocaine?
Stephen Grooms
PREMIUM
Stephen Grooms
answered on Feb 13, 2020

You can always buy a firearm if someone is willing to sell it to you. The question is will your possession of that firearm be an illegal act. Distribution of Cocaine is a felony in South Carolina, but you will not be restricted from owning a firearm under South Carolina law as this is not an... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law and White Collar Crime for South Carolina on
Q: Should I go back up to the police station if they ask me too or do they plan to arrest me? He wouldn't say on the phone.

I got arrested on 1/9/2020 for forgery. For a returned check and trying to cash another check for work I've done.{it was freelance on a app and I can't get ahold of them.} I was given the check under the assumption it was good {I had an inkling but I didn't think this person would do... View More

Stephen Grooms
PREMIUM
Stephen Grooms
answered on Feb 10, 2020

I would recommend you consult with an attorney before you make a decision. If you talk to an experienced criminal defense attorney in your area he/she will be able to make contact with the officer to get the story before you put yourself at risk. You should also remember the police are legally... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Criminal Law for South Carolina on
Q: Is 16-03-600 (d)(1) an misdemeanor
Stephen Grooms
PREMIUM
Stephen Grooms
answered on Jan 28, 2020

Yes, it is a misdemeanor assault and battery charge that carries up to 3 years. This statute and charge is specific to South Carolina. One thing to keep in mind is that any charge that carries over 1 year, may be classified as a felony for federal purposes on your criminal record. (NCIC)

View More Answers

2 Answers | Asked in Criminal Law for South Carolina on
Q: Do I need a lawyer for a shoplifting case?

Its my first first offence and I have not been in trouble before I am worried of it staying on my record and possibly going to jail and losing my kids

Stephen Grooms
PREMIUM
Stephen Grooms
answered on Dec 12, 2019

If the charge is a misdemeanor shoplifting and you have no record you are likely eligible for Pre Trial Intervention. The program will cost around $325 but if you complete the program the charge will be dismissed and your record will be eligible for expungement. However just because you are... View More

View More Answers

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law for South Carolina on
Q: is it against the law in south Carolina to egg someone's car?
Stephen Grooms
PREMIUM
Stephen Grooms
answered on Nov 20, 2019

It is against the law in South Carolina and likely every other state. In South Carolina it is called malicious injury to personal property and depending on the amount of damage caused it is either a misdemeanor or felony charge.

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law for South Carolina on
Q: i need a lawyer

im being chargeded for first degree sexual assult

Stephen Grooms
PREMIUM
Stephen Grooms
answered on Oct 2, 2019

Then you need to call a criminal defense attorney in your area to arrange a consult. While I do not know the allegations or potential facts, generally speaking I wouldn't talk about the case with anyone until you can retain or at least consult with an attorney to get some advice on how to proceed.

2 Answers | Asked in Criminal Law for South Carolina on
Q: I have a fraudulent check arrest record from over 20 years ago. How can I request that it be removed/expunged?

What documents are needed? Must they be filed in person? Is a lawyer required to assist in this process? The check was less than $50 and was paid for at the law enforcement agency when processed.

Stephen Grooms
PREMIUM
Stephen Grooms
answered on Sep 30, 2019

It depends on what the actual charge was, if you have had anything expunged in the past, what if any record you have from the three years after the conviction, etc. You can either contact the clerk of court and ask to speak to someone in expungements or call a local criminal defense attorney.... View More

View More Answers

2 Answers | Asked in Criminal Law for South Carolina on
Q: I was recently charged with breach of trust with fraudulent intent. I have no idea what to do is I’ve never been through

I’ve never been in trouble if I’m found guilty what could happen

Stephen Grooms
PREMIUM
Stephen Grooms
answered on Sep 23, 2019

What the potential outcome might be largely depends on the facts of the case. Not having a record is a great thing, but that's only a small part of the puzzle that a Judge must consider if your were in fact found guilty.

I agree with the previous response in that you need to talk to...
View More

View More Answers

2 Answers | Asked in Criminal Law and Federal Crimes for South Carolina on
Q: Can my boyfriend be charged with trafficking if he was never in the house where the drugs were found.
Stephen Grooms
PREMIUM
Stephen Grooms
answered on Aug 20, 2019

Yes, as an element of trafficking is conspiracy. Meaning a person doesn't have to actually be in possession to be found guilty. He will need to talk to a defense attorney as every case is different.

View More Answers

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law for South Carolina on
Q: How long can someone sit in jail awaiting trial in sc
Stephen Grooms
PREMIUM
Stephen Grooms
answered on Aug 19, 2019

There is no set time, someone can sit for as long as the State takes to call the case to court. The only ways to speed up the process is for him/her to file a motion for a speedy trial or often times filing a motion for a bond reduction due to an unreasonably long pretrial incarceration can help... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Criminal Law for South Carolina on
Q: Hi. I'm researching through files in my brother discovery. And it's a witness statement that wasn't used at trial. I

I would like to know what remedies can I use? Note he's exhausted all appeals and through due diligence this testimony was found.Also this testimony will change the out come of his case

Stephen Grooms
PREMIUM
Stephen Grooms
answered on Jun 28, 2019

This is a very specific type of law, what you need is an experienced "Post Conviction Relief" attorney. If you can't find one in your area try contacting the South Carolina Bar at 803 799-7100.

View More Answers

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law for South Carolina on
Q: What makes a receiving stolen property charge a felony in South Carolina?My kid has hers marked $2000 or less but a felo

But listed as felony with actually listed items valued at $1050.00 and she was only in a .motel room belonging to friend who had the stuff in motel room when police came to arrest that so called friend on child neglect charges and found stolen property they charged my kid too because the friend... View More

Stephen Grooms
PREMIUM
Stephen Grooms
answered on Jun 18, 2019

If you have two or more prior property crime related convictions your third offense can be indicted or charged as a felony regardless of dollar value involved.

1 Answer | Asked in DUI / DWI for South Carolina on
Q: How can you find a lawyer who won’t take advantage of you, especially if you are in your 70s, and sober 29 years?

Friend was arrested for DUI, however she is sober 29 years. She’s in her 70’s, she was driving recklessly for her, because she was talking on phone and trying to get a piece of candy out of a wrapper. They did not give her a breath test or offer one. She failed her physical sobriety test... View More

Stephen Grooms
PREMIUM
Stephen Grooms
answered on Jun 11, 2019

A DUI arrest, charge and potential conviction could in fact be solely due to intoxication as the result of taking prescription drugs. Your friend has a lot going for her due to her age and lack of alcohol or drug use, but she will still need zealous representation to ensure her best defense. The... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law for South Carolina on
Q: if a person called the police and lied to them about a situation then wrote a false statement on the person

how long will the person have to sit in jail

Stephen Grooms
PREMIUM
Stephen Grooms
answered on May 17, 2019

The answer is that it depends on what they lied about, and therefore what they were charged with. If they lied about a false misdemeanor then its 30 days, but if they lied about a false felony that charge carries up to 5 years.

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law for South Carolina on
Q: How can a person have the same charge 3 times?

My friend was arrested, and when I look up his name under inmate search he has the same charge 3 times... Manufacturing / distribution 3. Three times though!? And one more charge, felon in possession of a firearm. I'm just confused as to how they are giving him three counts of the... View More

Stephen Grooms
PREMIUM
Stephen Grooms
answered on Feb 19, 2019

From your description the charging agency appears to be alleging that on 3 separate occasions your friend distributed and or manufactured a controlled substance. This is often the case when they have been building a case over a period of time against a defendant. You friend should strongly consider... View More

Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.

The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.

Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.