A convicted felon faces seven years in federal prison after pleading guilty to possession of a firearm as well as marijuana possession with intent to distribute. James Eric Hampton, Jr., of Columbia, admitted to selling marijuana when the University of South Carolina Police seized one ounce of marijuana packed in baggies from his car in […] The post South Carolina man pleads guilty to federal charges first appeared on Ryan Beasley Law ..read more

Drug charges can quickly derail your life, especially if you’re convicted and slapped with the harsh penalties sought by prosecutors. Jail or prison time, enormous fines, a lingering criminal record, and haunting damage to your reputation can all leave you feeling scared and uncertain about your future. But before you let overzealous prosecutors push you […] The post Here’s how to block the prosecution’s evidence first appeared on Ryan Beasley Law ..read more

Commercial vehicles are a common sight on the South Carolina roads. Trucks go to, from and through the state delivering and carting items that are vital to everyday life. This can include food, materials, retail items and more. For commercial drivers, it is imperative that they maintain their status as holders of a commercial driver’s license. If a truck is stopped by law enforcement and its driver is alleged to be under the influence, then this could result in a conviction with the accompanying penalties like fines and even jail time. In addition, it could put the driver’s livelihood in jeopa ..read more

Every relationship has times when you and your partner will disagree. An argument can feel very after both parties have had a chance to cool off than it does while it is happening. In some cases, a disagreement can get out of hand or misinterpreted, leaving both people feeling frustrated, hurt and upset. It can be overwhelming and stressful when an argument involves your partner filing domestic charges against you. Here’s what you should know about the potential defenses for domestic violence charges in South Carolina. Defending yourself or others Often, an argument at home can become heated t ..read more

College is an exciting time for young adults. Newfound independence often comes with having to make important decisions on your own, including whether to drink and drive. Unfortunately, millions of college students choose to drive while intoxicated. While you may be aware of the legal consequences of a DUI, such as fines, imprisonment, and license suspensions, you may not know about the potential college consequences of a DUI. What can happen to your education Even though a college is not a part of the legal system, they have the right to enact their own punishments for DUIs. In fact ..read more

In South Carolina and across the United States, opioids are garnering significant attention. This is understandable given the number of people who are having problems with these types of drugs. Specifically, fentanyl is drawing scrutiny from state and federal law enforcement with regular investigations and arrests being made. People who are alleged to be involved in drugs could be confronted with a litany of charges related to its possession, sale, trafficking and distribution. There are laws that dictate the possible penalties if they are convicted and it is imperative to understand them as p ..read more

There’s a lot to consider when building your criminal defense. While you may want to work with prosecutors early on to try to mitigate the fallout from your case, and you certainly want to gather evidence that contradicts the prosecution’s case, you can’t neglect the legal technicalities that are involved in your case. This includes jury selection. Why jury selection matters The jury that ends up hearing your case is going to be charged with determining whether the state has met its burden of proof by proving your guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. That’s a high bar, for sure, but it can be skew ..read more

Unexpected events occur in people’s lives in South Carolina. Many of these unexpected events can be very costly as well. This could be a car accident resulting in damage to vehicles and injuries. There could be a hurricane or other weather event that damages people’s homes. People can also develop diseases or other medical conditions that result in the need for extensive medical treatment. People often do not have the money available to pay for these unexpected costs and that is why it is important that people have the appropriate insurance policies in place. Insurance can be very valuable for ..read more

There’s certainly a lot at stake in your criminal case. So, it’s completely normal to feel nervous about the outcome of your case. But you shouldn’t let your nerves push you toward accepting a plea deal that isn’t right for you. Instead, you need to fully analyze your set of circumstances to determine which course of action is best for you. This includes knowing how a conviction could affect your life in both the short- and long-term. The penalties that you could face upon conviction We know this is an uneasy conversation to have, but if you’re thinking about accepting a plea deal or taking a ..read more

A DUI conviction promises ramifications beyond criminal penalties. On the surface, you understand that you face incarceration, probation, steep fines, restitution, loss of your driver’s license as well as your vehicle. But digging deeper, you also face stark challenges to your professional career. A DUI conviction means that you now have a criminal record. You have tarnished your reputation in ways that may lead to getting fired from your job and having prospective employers turning their backs on you. Termination and loss of professional license Here are some of the ways that a DUI conviction ..read more