Finding a DUI Attorney Rock Hill SC for My Criminal Defense

In a DUI accident case, great bodily injury means bodily injury which creates a substantial risk of death, or which causes serious, permanent disfigurement, or which causes protracted loss or impairment of the function of any bodily member or organ (e.g., finger, hand, brain damage, loss eye or vision, or legs).

So, even in a situation where no burns, scars, or broken bones are part of the victim’s injuries, a severe brain concussion or TBI traumatic brain injury (i.e., caused by sudden deceleration or whiplash due to airbags and seat belt) can be the basis of a South Carolina felony DUI.

An experienced DUI attorney will carefully consider the surrounding circumstances in a car accident case and subsequent DUI arrest. “Is a DUI a misdemeanor or a felony?” If someone died as a result of impaired driving or a wreck caused by DUI in South Carolina, there are provisions in SC DUI laws that allow for felony prosecution.

If there is a tragic wreck and associated death, it's not unusual to see a substantial bond required for release from a city or county jail. There is more than one way to be charged with a DUI felony case in South Carolina, separate and apart from fatalities.

While most traffic offenses like speeding tickets are non-serious misdemeanors in South Carolina, another group of serious misdemeanors can be the “predicate” offense for indicting a person for a felony. As stated, that can happen in drunk driving accident cases, or where outrageous, reckless driving results in a fatality or “great bodily injury” to another person.

South Carolina attorneys practice in different areas of the law. Lawyers who handle criminal charges and work within the justice system are often referred to as "criminal justice lawyers." They work in the challenging atmosphere of the General Sessions Court.

When it comes to criminal charges in South Carolina, the prosecutor may be referred to as the Circuit Solicitor. Prosecutors nationwide enjoy a substantial amount of discretion in deciding what matters to prosecute, what matters to make a plea offer, and even what criminal charges to dismiss.

If there are DUI charges and a DUI accident, fatality, or permanently disabled victim, due to a drunk driver or drunk driving, those charges tend to be the most serious and therefore the most vigorously prosecuted in court.

The General Sessions Court is the South Carolina criminal court that handles Grand Jury Proceedings and felony Jury Trials. The process of seeking and obtaining a True Bill of Indictment in South Carolina can be a bit complicated. For more information regarding the questions, "What does a Grand Jury Do?" and "What is an Indictment?" please see our website and blog posts.

It is quite serious if you are charged with DUI and have been accused of drinking driving while there are other related South Carolina motor vehicle crimes that make legal representation more serious, such as:

• Hit and Run
• Failure to Stop or Render Aid
• Attempting to Elude a Police Officer
• Driving while License Suspended
• Driving while License Revoked Due to DUI
• Reckless Driving or Exceptionally Dangerous Driving
• Prior convictions for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
• Causing the death of another while felony driving under the influence
• Causing great bodily injury by vehicle
• Felony reckless vehicular homicide

Misdemeanor DUI cases are one of the most common serious driving offenses that Mr. Beddow handles. They are "serious criminal charges" because DUI and DWI cases across the nation carry long-term if not permanent consequences that may include things like prison, jail, probation, loss of license, fines, court costs, community service, and treatment.

Chris Beddow is experienced in handling DUI felony cases when car accidents result in serious injuries to another or a death, while driving drunk or under the influence of drugs. In fact, he has argued to a jury Murder charges related to a drunk driving fatality. There aren't a lot of criminal defense lawyers who have handled felony murder charges all the way to verdict.

In fact, there are a limited number of South Carolina attorneys in Rock Hill SC who practice criminal defense and go to court when regularly requested, let alone on a daily basis. Part of being an experienced lawyer means regularly helping clients with their criminal charges, working within the criminal justice system, and handling court appearances.

There are criminal defense attorneys who focus their daily efforts on things like criminal appeals, filing appellate briefs, and processing pardons and paroles. So they don't really go to court very often.

Still other trial attorneys handle allegations of white-collar crime, embezzlement, and employee misconduct cases in both federal court and state court.

Defense lawyers often handle a wide range of different criminal charges from minor traffic tickets, to misdemeanor larceny, assault and battery charges - all the way to sex crimes or sex offenses like rape and statutory rape.

More minor misdemeanor charges (shoplifting, unlawful concealment, and theft offenses) are far more common than serious misdemeanor (assault, assault and battery, threats, and assaults inflicting serious bodily harm) and felony charges like robbery, murder, and manslaughter.

Mr. Beddow is available for consultation by appointment at our York County law office. Mr. Beddow handles a wide range of criminal cases including manslaughter, felony death, murder, rape, felony assault, sexual assault, rape, sex offenses, employee crimes of larceny and embezzlement, defending sexting charges, and domestic violence allegations.

CarolinaAttorneys.com has convenient locations in Rock Hill, South Carolina as well as law offices less than 20 minutes away in Charlotte NC (at two different locations) for people who live or work in the Charlotte-metro region. One Charlotte law office location is near the Mecklenburg County Courthouse and is available by appointment only. The primary Powers Law Firm office is situated right off I-77, near I-85 at 2412 Arty Avenue, Charlotte NC.

Lawyers in Rock Hill SC will have a wide range of legal fees, depending on the nature of their law practice and the type of criminal charges. Lawyers who rarely go to court, file suppression motions, argue case law, or go to trial sometimes advertise themselves as cheap DUI lawyers. Criminal defense attorneys who fight and who seek to avoid a drunk driving conviction will often charge more.

We look out for the best interests of our clients. We explain legal rights and options. Our goal is to provide sound legal advice after a careful and thoughtful review of the charges and prior criminal history.

DUI charges in South Carolina are handled differently than DWI cases in NC. Put simply, there is sometimes the ability to plea bargain to a lesser offense like DUAI or even reckless driving. DUI misdemeanor cases in South Carolina also sometimes have a disposition by waiver. That means there are times where we are able to negotiate with the Solicitor and handle the case on your behalf, without you ever having to go to court.

Each case is different - each client and their goals are important . That's why it's a good idea to meet in person and talk to an experienced DUI lawyer. We will explain your legal options and how we can help. We prefer to sit down with you, listen to your concerns and worries, ask a lot of questions, and figure out your goals as part of your legal representation.

Our law firm discourages the common practice of quoting fees on the phone because again, EVERY CASE is DIFFERENT, and your case deserves personal attention.

Plus, we offer 100% FREE consultations, so it doesn't cost you a penny to get legal information, ask questions, and figure out what works best for you.

Experienced lawyers want to get all the facts and only then quote an appropriate legal fee. Our law office offers clients attorney fees payment plans. Again, this is often best handled in the office and face-to-face.

Contact our FREE consultation lawyer in Rock Hill SC if you or a loved one faces a serious misdemeanor charge, DUI, or felony accusation. Our Phone Number is 877-462-3841, so call us for FREE legal advice about the legal system and how the courts work at your initial consultation.

Experience counts when you need the help of a criminal defense lawyer. For serious motor vehicle violations, your driver’s license and freedom may hang in the balance.