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Arrested and charged with a drug-related offense in South Carolina? It is a very serious matter. Many drug charges are felonies. They can carry severe criminal penalties. You need to know exactly what you are facing. Within this article, our Charleston drug defense lawyers provide an overview of the penalties…
A pardon is an official act that “forgives” a person for a criminal offense. In South Carolina, a person who receives a “pardon” has all of their civil rights restored. How common are pardons? An average of 300 to 400 are issued in South Carolina each year. Here, our Charleston…
A felony offense is a serious crime. Under South Carolina law (SC Code § 16-1-10), there are six different categories of felonies: Class A felonies, Class B felonies, Class C felonies, Class D felonies, Class E felonies, and Class F felonies. The maximum penalties for a felony offense will depend,…
A criminal record can cause serious problems for a person. It could make it harder to get a job or even rent an apartment. For that reason, getting record expungement can be advantageous. South Carolina has a specific process for expungement. It is notoriously complex. Unfortunately, not all records can…
Evidence is key to any criminal case. Police and prosecutors take evidence very seriously. If a person is accused of tampering with evidence—or otherwise interfering with an investigation—they could potentially be arrested and charged with a serious crime. Within this article, our Charleston criminal defense lawyer provides an overview of…
Money laundering is a serious criminal offense. In South Carolina, engaging in money laundering in excess of $500 within a 30-day period can result in a felony criminal charge. At Query Sautter & Associates, LLC, we defend money laundering cases. Here, our Charleston white-collar criminal defense lawyer provides an overview…
Distracted driving is dangerous driving. There is perhaps no more risky form of distracted driving than texting and driving. It is against the law in South Carolina. A driver who texts while behind the wheel puts everyone else at serious risk. They can face serious consequences. Here, our Charleston traffic…
Whether you are arrested for a state or federal offense, if the police plan on detaining you for questioning, they must read you your Miranda rights. A police officer who forgets to read you your Miranda rights will be unable to use any testimony that you provide or evidence that…
In the past, officers’ statements about arrests were generally considered beyond reproach unless there was considerable proof to the contrary. In the age of a smartphone on every person and a bodycam on every officer, this is changing. We’ve all seen news clips of bystanders using their phones to record…
Defined as crimes that have a financial motive or involve a power play, white-collar crimes are on the rise. Even though white-collar crimes are non-violent in nature, white-collar crimes are estimated to cost victims anywhere from $426 billion to $1.7 trillion annually. Offenders may be charged under state or federal…
In fiscal year 2022, 1,001 individuals were prosecuted for money laundering. Money laundering is an increasing concern in our society and is considered an offense committed by wealthy businessmen and politicians. Money laundering involves taking illegally earned money and making it appear as though it was earned through legitimate means….
The term white-collar crime refers to a broad range of crimes that are predominantly fraudulent and financially motivated. The majority of white-collar crimes are prosecuted at the federal level and charged as felonies. A federal white-collar crime conviction carries an extended prison sentence and costly fines. For example: Money Laundering…
If you are charged with drug possession in South Carolina, you will have an opportunity to refute the government's allegation in court. Depending on the strength of your argument, it may be possible to have your case thrown out before it gets to trial. A strong...
Approximately 29,500 cases of burglary occur in South Carolina annually. It is the second most common type of property crime in the state. For the courts to decide that a burglary has occurred, three elements must be true. Breaking and entering The first element that...
Eyewitness testimony is a critical aspect of the criminal justice system as it can be used to identify suspects, establish motives and provide evidence in court. However, research has shown that eyewitness testimony can be unreliable and prone to error, leading to...
Whether it happens in South Carolina or any other state, illegal insider trading is a serious white-collar crime that could warrant federal charges. According to the Securities and Exchange Commission, illegal insider trading involves buying or selling securities in...