A number of factors may impact the reliability of eyewitness testimony, which may lead to innocent people being convicted of crimes they did not commit. Often, law enforcement officers in South Carolina, and elsewhere, use statements from eyewitnesses as key evidence in criminal investigations. Historically, this type of testimony has been considered one of the most reliable sources of proof. Research, however, shows the opposite to be true. In fact, eyewitnesses commonly misidentify people and misremember events. As such, a number of people have been falsely convicted of crimes, including&nbs ..read more

There are several factors that will immediately elevate a misdemeanor DUI to become a felony charge. In early September of this year, a 23-year-old woman was driving eastbound on Interstate 26 near Lexington, South Carolina. Law enforcement officers report that the woman struck an SUV, which veered off the road and overturned. As a result of the incident, a 21-year-old died from her injuries. The 23-year-old was charged with a felony DUI in connection with the incident. There are several factors that can cause a drunk driving incident in South Carolina to become a felony, and those are the fol ..read more

South Carolina lawmakers are weighing bills that would legalize all medical marijuana, sparing patients from serious penalties imposed under state law. From 2008 to 2012, the rate of marijuana-related arrests rose faster in South Carolina than in any other state, according to The Huffington Post. While some people in Greenville are arrested for the alleged recreational use of this drug, many others may face criminal charges for attempting to use marijuana for medicinal purposes. Fortunately, state lawmakers are now considering legislation that could enable more people to use medical marijuana ..read more

Breath tests are often used to determine whether people in South Carolina have been drinking but evidence suggests they may not be accurate. The South Carolina Department of Public Safety reports that almost 27,000 arrests were made in the state last year for drinking and driving. When people are stopped for a traffic violation, officers may ask them to take a breath test to determine whether they have been drinking. However, is the breath test really accurate? It’s not science Most people think that a breath test is a scientific tool that law enforcement use to measure alcohol in a person’s b ..read more

Residents in South Carolina who have been arrested and charged with sexual crimes against children should understand the different types of charges and potential consequences. There are several different types of criminal charges that can be faced in South Carolina relating to sex crimes with minors. Each charge has a specific definition and carries with it a specific set of penalties if a conviction is achieved. Understanding these facts is important for anyone who has been charged with such a crime. What types of charges can be faced? According to the University of South Carolina Law Sc ..read more

There are several factors that can lead a jury to wrongfully convict an innocent person of a crime. Not everyone who receives a jail or prison sentence is guilty of committing a crime. A number of people who are currently sitting behind bars are actually innocent, and have been wrongfully charged and convicted. The Innocence Project, an organization dedicated to freeing and clearing the names of people who have been erroneously imprisoned, has exonerated 341 people from prison. As a result, many people in South Carolina and across the U.S. are left to wonder what flaws in the judicial sys ..read more

The difficulty of defending against criminal charges, the risk of wrongful conviction and the consequences of a conviction make hiring a lawyer advisable. Each year, thousands of people in Greenville and other parts of South Carolina face accusations of criminal activity. In 2013 alone, over 99,000 people were arrested statewide for assault, drug crimes, weapons violations, driving under the influence or other alcohol-related infractions, according to the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division. With other offenses factored in, the overall number of arrests was even higher. Many peop ..read more

Tax evasion and tax fraud are terms that are often used interchangeably. However, their meanings and impacts are distinct. Both involve intentional wrongdoing related to taxes but diverge in their specific definitions, consequences and legal ramifications. Educating oneself on the key differences between these two terms can provide clarity when navigating the complex terrain of tax law. What is tax evasion? Tax evasion refers to the illegal act of deliberately underpaying taxes owed to the government. It encompasses various deceptive practices that conceal income, assets or financial transacti ..read more

Robbery is the use of force or intimidation to take another person’s property. This use of violence, or threat of violence, makes the offense more serious than ordinary theft. But some U.S. states also use the term robbery to define a crime committed in the direct presence of a victim aware of the theft, even if no violence is involved. By that definition, snatching someone’s purse – a crime where the victim would surely be aware that someone is taking their purse – is robbery. But where does South Carolina stand in this case? Purse snatching is its own offense According to South Carolina law ..read more

There is a lot for you to think about when you’re being charged or investigated for a crime. One of the most important things to keep in mind and make an effort to understand is due process. Due process is included in the U.S. Constitution to prevent states from depriving individuals of the civil liberties granted under federal law. As such, you can (generally) expect the legal system to treat you fairly even if the police suspect that you might have committed a crime. The right to know the prosecution’s evidence Individuals have the right to be informed about the evidence presented against th ..read more