Lawyers, Answer Questions  & Get Points Log In
South Carolina Criminal Law Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law for South Carolina on
Q: in south Carolina in 2011 plead guilty to a 44-53-0420 CDR code 0027. i was thinking in 2011 this was a misdemeanor ?

years ago i asked a lawyer and he also told me it was a misdemeanor. can you verifly in 2011 did i plead guilty to a misdemeanor or a felony >

Ryan D Templeton
Ryan D Templeton
answered on Dec 11, 2021

In order to answer this question I would need more information. That particular code section has two different sections. Under the (A) section, depending on the underlying charge that you were convicted of conspiring to commit that could be a felony but the penalty would be one half of the... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law, Criminal Law and Child Custody for South Carolina on
Q: What is the best type of attorney for a DSS/CPS case? Family law seems too broad...

I need an affordable attorney that has experience dealing with and winning cases with DSS involvement. I need to know exactly what my rights and options are.

Megan Hunt Dell
PREMIUM
Megan Hunt Dell
answered on Dec 2, 2021

You can ask any attorney you consult with about how much experience they have defending DSS cases.

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law, Cannabis & Marijuana Law, Civil Rights and Municipal Law for South Carolina on
Q: Is there a statue of limitations for simple possession in SC?

The cops came to my house on Wed. 11-17 with a search warrant looking to find a large amount of marijuana. They found a roach. My girlfriend said it was hers so they gave her a ticket for simple possession. They then told me I had to go to the police department Mon. 11-21 because they wanted to... View More

Jonathan Edmond Bennett Lewis
Jonathan Edmond Bennett Lewis
answered on Nov 21, 2021

Is there a statue of limitations for simple possession in SC?

No. There are no statutes of limitations on criminal offenses in South Carolina.

Can they really come back to the house and arrest me?

Yes. In South Carolina we have two types of possession, constructive and...
View More

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law for South Carolina on
Q: Second offense Pwid less than 3 grams ...what is the sentence in South carolina???
Jonathan Edmond Bennett Lewis
Jonathan Edmond Bennett Lewis
answered on Nov 15, 2021

3 Grams of....

What?

In South Carolina, Drug Crimes are specific to the substance. Without this information we cannot give you an accurate sentencing range.

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law and Traffic Tickets for South Carolina on
Q: Why am I receiving a court summons for a ticket I've already paid?

I got a ticket in June 2021 for driving "10mph or less", paid the fine, but am now receiving a court summons for Dec 2021 for this same offense. I don't understand the timing, nor the reasoning for such an escalation in action. Since the incident, I have taken a defensive driving... View More

Stephen Grooms
PREMIUM
Stephen Grooms
answered on Nov 15, 2021

If you received a ticket and paid the fine then generally you are not required to attend Court. When you pay the requested fine then you are essentially pleading guilty to the offense. I would contact the Clerk of Court for the court in which you received the notice and find out the status of your... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law for South Carolina on
Q: I placed my guns, 5 of them, in my brother's safe for a bit while I was moving. Now he refuses to give them back.

What are my legal options? I do not have serials numbers, but can get affidavits that they are mine, and I had owned them for about 20 years

Ryan D Templeton
Ryan D Templeton
answered on Oct 30, 2021

The best avenue to get your guns back is going to be a claim and delivery action in magistrate court (assuming the value is under $7,500.00).

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law and Traffic Tickets for South Carolina on
Q: Should this still be on my record as a misdemeanor?

I went to apply for an apartment recently and was denied due to a misdemeanor on my background check. This came as a shock to me. They informed me that it was "carless operation," and then I remembered. In the beginning of 2018 I accidentally ran a red light in a town that I had never... View More

Stephen Grooms
PREMIUM
Stephen Grooms
answered on Oct 18, 2021

When you pay a fine that is essentially pleading no contest, which has the same result as a guilty plea for purposes of your driving and criminal record. So unfortunately the answer is yes, this traffic citation should have been on your driving record.

The expungement process generally...
View More

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law and Domestic Violence for South Carolina on
Q: So I missed my court date for Criminal domestic violence 3rd degree? Is it possible I was tried in my absence?

Is it possible I was found not guilty or nolle prosse. There is an update online that says application for destruction of arrest records

Peter David Brown
Peter David Brown
answered on Sep 2, 2021

Yes, you can be convicted in your absence.

The prosecution only needs to present the victim to the court.

If the victim testifies to the elements necessary to convict you of the offense, you could be convicted.

You would then have only a very limited time to appeal that conviction.

2 Answers | Asked in Criminal Law, Personal Injury and Wrongful Death for South Carolina on
Q: When a person "gets in my face" because of road rage, could that be prosecuted as assault or attempted murder,
Peter N. Munsing
Peter N. Munsing
answered on Jul 27, 2021

The likely charges would depend on what they did, and those are up to the police & the DA. Possible charges would be disorderly conduct, threatening, others.

View More Answers

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law for South Carolina on
Q: Is it legal to charge an overdose victim w drug poss if the evidence was found as a result of needing med. Help
Jonathan Edmond Bennett Lewis
Jonathan Edmond Bennett Lewis
answered on Jul 25, 2021

Hello,

Yes. If police respond with EMS and discover illicit narcotics or illegal drugs on the person who is receiving emergency medical assistance, or if police are the first responder prior to EMS and discover an individual needing help with evidence of illicit narcotics or illegal drugs,...
View More

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law for South Carolina on
Q: Is receiving goods presented as stolen , and receiving stolen goods the same thing, is an indictment required?

A request for preliminary hearing was put in but was denied

Michael Ryan Loignon
Michael Ryan Loignon pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Jul 15, 2021

Not exactly. SC Code 16-13-180 addresses both "receiving stolen goods" and "receiving or possessing property represented by law enforcement as stolen". While they fall under the same statute and carry the same penalties, the elements of each offense are a bit different.... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law for South Carolina on
Q: Did a law pass or change where a person can get credit for being on house arrest prior to trial and sentencing?

Can the time on house arrest be credited to their sentencing time?

Stephen Grooms
PREMIUM
Stephen Grooms
answered on Jul 14, 2021

Universal Citation: SC Code § 24-13-40 (2015)

The computation of the time served by prisoners under sentences imposed by the courts of this State must be calculated from the date of the imposition of the sentence. However, when (a) a prisoner shall have given notice of intention to appeal,...
View More

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law for South Carolina on
Q: If served 18 months and got 6months time served with good time and work time credit when will release be
Jonathan Edmond Bennett Lewis
Jonathan Edmond Bennett Lewis
answered on Jul 11, 2021

Hello.

Unfortunately, we aren’t able to do anything but estimate your release date with the information you provided. Without knowing your actual conviction offense, so that we know whether or not the offense is a 65% or 85% time served offense, we cannot give you an accurate amount of...
View More

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law and Federal Crimes for South Carolina on
Q: motion to continue arraignment & trial granted w/out opposition- does that mean case is going to trial w no plea deal?

Federal case. Read this info on the docket. It’s a motion to extend time to file Pre-trial motions.

Meg Strickler
PREMIUM
Meg Strickler pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Jul 7, 2021

There are a lot of reasons why this could occur, but, no it definitely does not mean a case is going to trial with no plea deal. One reason a motion to continue is filed could be that the AUSA is about to reindict with a superseding indictment and doesn't want to arraign defendant twice and... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law and Federal Crimes for South Carolina on
Q: Am I required to report information I have discovered that could affect the outcome of a federal criminal case

Suspect is indicted already & is my husband.

Jonathan Edmond Bennett Lewis
Jonathan Edmond Bennett Lewis
answered on Jul 4, 2021

No, you are under no obligation to testify or inform the government of information in your possession unless you are under subpoena.

Even then, you cannot be forced by subpoena or the court to testify against your spouse, if you are legally married, as you and he have “spousal...
View More

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law for South Carolina on
Q: Which offense is a lesser included offense to 16-3-29? And is it's lesser included offense violent or non-violent?

I was sentenced to 8 years non violent from a 16-3-29 due to the judge stating he was "dropping it" to non-violent aggravated assault....I don't know if this is consistent with the law

Jonathan Edmond Bennett Lewis
Jonathan Edmond Bennett Lewis
answered on Jul 1, 2021

Hello,

In South Carolina, SC Code Ann. 16-3-29 is Attempted Murder, a violent felony. The lesser included offenses of Attempted Murder are:

Assault and Battery of a High and Aggravated nature, a violent felony, S.C. Code Ann. 16-3-600B)(1);

Assault and Battery in the First...
View More

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law for South Carolina on
Q: Can you get more than one 1st offense shoplifting? I had a 1st offense pending, was awaiting court, and got another.
Stephen Grooms
PREMIUM
Stephen Grooms
answered on Jun 29, 2021

In South Carolina a conviction as opposed to a pending charge is required to enhance a subsequent offense. Further it takes a minimum of 3 property crime convictions to enhance to a felony level property crime. Once you get to a felony level property crime, it carries up to 10 years in prison.... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Appeals / Appellate Law and Criminal Law for South Carolina on
Q: I lost pcr in SC. Pcr Judge say Georgia case from Georgia appeals isn't binding upon SC courts ,is this true

Caselaw from Georgia..state v Goodman, 469 s.e.2d 327.

Georgia court of appeals ruled in favor of the guy,and say he did not violate the left turn law , my case from SC is 98% like his.

Charles William Michaels
PREMIUM
Charles William Michaels
answered on Jun 21, 2021

First I am not a SC attorney. But generally a case from out of state (by it Georgia, or elsewhere) do NOT bind the South Carolina courts. It can be persuarive authority but the South Carolina courts do not have to follow it.

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law for South Carolina on
Q: I have someone on the Gay Dating app Grindr who is threatening to expose me with pictures and text unless I pay them

$500, which was increased to $1000 when I said I couldn’t. They apparently followed me yesterday and saw the apt I live in. Now they are threatening to expose me to my family.

Jonathan Edmond Bennett Lewis
Jonathan Edmond Bennett Lewis
answered on Jun 20, 2021

Hello. We are terribly sorry to hear about this. No one should be afraid of such exposure by such types of people, merely for being who they are. This is repugnant and despicable.

You have several causes of action both criminal and civil.

South Carolina has no Revenge Porn Laws; the...
View More

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law for South Carolina on
Q: Can my armed robbery be reduced to strong armed robbery
Jonathan Edmond Bennett Lewis
Jonathan Edmond Bennett Lewis
answered on Jun 6, 2021

Hello,

Yes, the State could reduce armed robbery to strong armed robbery. However, this is usually done as a condition of plea negotiations. We recommend that you speak with this possibility to your attorney.

We hope that this helps you, and wish you the best in your matter.

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.