Being charged with a crime is something no one ever wants to imagine happening, however, for many, it does, even if they are innocent, and if this has happened to you, you should speak with an experienced Chesterfield criminal defense lawyer as soon as you can. Contact the Cockrell Law Firm, P.C. today to learn more about how our legal team can shield you from your charges.
Chesterfield Criminal Defense Lawyer | Fighting for Your Freedom
Whether you’ve been charged with a DUI or you are the suspect in a serious criminal investigation, you need experienced legal counsel on your side. Fortunately, you’ve come to the right place. Our firm will handle each aspect of your case, from start to finish, in an effort to attain the positive outcome you deserve and need.
Criminal Cases We Handle
Here at the Cockrell Law Firm, P.C., we handle a wide array of criminal cases, including the following:
- Assault: What you may consider a misunderstanding or a simple fight, the state may consider a crime. If you’ve been charged with assault & battery in South Carolina, our firm is here to help.
- Domestic Violence: Domestic violence allegations can absolutely ruin a person’s reputation and family. Wrongful accusations of domestic violence must be disproven to preserve your good name.
- Drug Crime: Many people are arrested and accused of possessing or selling drugs every day in South Carolina. Often, these people are innocent, but at times, they simply made a mistake. Regardless, one mistake should not ruin a person’s life. Our firm is on your side.
- DUI: The state of South Carolina takes driving under the influence very seriously, and if you’ve been charged with a DUI, you cannot hire just any attorney to represent you. You need an aggressive Chesterfield criminal defense lawyer on your side.
- Probation Violation: Probation, for many, is a great opportunity to retain a large degree of their freedom, avoiding jail time in exchange for complying with probational terms. However, if you’re caught violating probation, there is a strong chance you will be sent to jail. Our job is to fight to prevent that from happening.
- Sex Crimes: South Carolina courts seek to punish all sex offenders to the fullest extent. If you’ve been charged with a sex crime, you need to act now. Our firm is ready.
- Theft: Whether you’ve been arrested for shoplifting or burglary, you can depend on us to review all the facts of your case and disprove the allegations made against you.
- Violent Crime: Violent crimes, such as murder, are typically seen as the most heinous in the state and throughout the country, and are dealt with as such. If you are accused of an act of criminal violence, you need an attorney today.
Penalties for Felony Vs. Misdemeanor Crimes in South Carolina
As you may know, there are two main types of crimes in South Carolina: felonies and misdemeanors. Typically, felonies are reserved for crimes of a more serious nature, though misdemeanor crimes can still land you in jail and warrant additional criminal penalties. Felonies in South Carolina are broken down into seven different classes, each class warranting a term of incarceration. Incarceration terms correspond with the class of felony as follows:
- Exempt felonies: Minimum 30 years of incarceration; potential life sentence or death
- Class A: Up to 30 years of incarceration
- Class B: Up to 25 years of incarceration
- Class C: Up to 20 years of incarceration
- Class D: Up to 15 years of incarceration
- Class E: Up to 10 years of incarceration
- Class F: Up to 5 years of incarceration
You should understand that misdemeanor crimes also often carry jail sentences, and they are nothing to be scoffed at. Some examples of misdemeanor crimes include third-time DUI (Class A misdemeanor), drawing a fraudulent check valued at $5,000 or less (Class B misdemeanor), and failure to report abuse or neglect of a vulnerable adult (Class C misdemeanor). The potential penalties for misdemeanor crimes in South Carolina are as follows:
- Class A: Up to 3 years of incarceration
- Class B: Up to 2 years of incarceration
- Class C: Up to 1 year of incarceration
Obtaining a Criminal Record
Though the time in jail or prison that a person may face for a criminal conviction may seem harsh, the truth is, after the person completes his or her period of incarceration, they will still have to face the harsh reality of having a criminal record. A criminal record can severely inhibit a person’s opportunities and freedoms in various ways, including the following:
- Employers can see your criminal record, so it may limit where you can find employment.
- If you have custody of your children, a criminal record may change that.
- You may not be able to purchase or own a firearm.
- You may lose your driver’s license.
- You may find it harder to rent or lease a place to live.
- If you are an immigrant in the United States, it may warrant your deportation.
- If you are convicted of a subsequent crime, you may face even harsher penalties due to you being a repeat offender.
Rather obviously, each of these consequences is incredibly serious, which is why you must hire the right attorney to fight your criminal charges from the start.
Contact a Chesterfield Criminal Defense Lawyer
The bottom line is that if you were recently charged with a crime here in South Carolina, your best line of defense is hiring an aggressive Chesterfield criminal defense lawyer who can fight your charges at every turn. Our firm proudly serves clients in Chesterfield County and throughout the state of South Carolina, including in Darlington County, Dillon County, Florence County, Marion County, Marlboro County, and the Peedee Region. Contact the Cockrell Law Firm, P.C. today to schedule your free consultation with our competent legal team. We are here to help you, every step of the way.
