“Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, today we are gathered here to discuss one of the most heinous crimes committed in the history of our country – the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln.  The prosecution contends that the accused, John Wilkes Booth, is responsible for this horrific act, and we will prove beyond a reasonable doubt that he is indeed guilty. … “In short, we will paint a clear and compelling picture of a man who committed an act of unspeakable violence against our nation’s leader, and who deserves to be held accountable for his actions.  We ask that you carefully ..read more

As law enforcement in the 2020s focuses on the rise in drug trafficking and other offenses, criminal organizations have increasingly turned to retail crime to generate illicit profits by using internet-based tools to steal merchandise, sell stolen goods, and move money. Simply stated, organized retail crime and the related losses have reached epidemic proportions for American retailers.   What Is Organized Retail Crime: A Primer Organized retail crime (ORC) occurs when criminals exploit the retail sector to commit large-scale theft. These criminals typically target high-value items, such ..read more

Collins & Lacy is pleased to announce that attorney Molly Flynn has been elevated to Special Counsel. Before joining Collins & Lacy, Flynn had significant service as an Assistant Solicitor in the Fifth Circuit Solicitor’s Office and at a Columbia-based law firm focusing on representation of school system legal matters. “The firm and our clients benefit from Molly’s legal experience and her leadership abilities,” stated firm president Christian Stegmaier. “She is making major contributions as we build out our firm’s teams. We see a bright future for Molly a ..read more

In a popular, recent blog article, Collins & Lacy Retail & Hospitality attorney, Evan Gessner, outlined the legal aspects associated with DELTA 8 product sales and usage. Read the article here.  In this podcast, Gessner welcomes University of South Carolina researcher, former Vice President of Research for the University, and current Senior Research Advisor to the University President, Dr. Prakash Nagarkatti, to discuss the chemical makeup of this synthetic and the continued research his team is performing to better understand its medical uses. Listen here. The post New Podcast: D ..read more

With the holidays upcoming, everyone is certain to have a favorite tradition.  From wrapping presents to the tunes of Bing Crosby’s Christmas album, to waking up on January 1st feeling like your brain lost a fight with King Kong, the next several weeks are sure to be jam-packed with annual rituals that have been passed down within families and friend groups.  To many, New Year’s Eve revolves around the same event; the annual fireworks show.  Whether you are attending a crowded celebration in your community, or just firing a few bottle rockets with friends in the neighborhood, yo ..read more

On October 19, 2022, Chicago-based pharmaceutical company, Green Thumb Industries announced a partnership with Arizona-Headquartered Circle K to create a first-of-its-kind gas station and convenience store that also sells recreational marijuana.  This plan will allow ten Circle K stores in Florida to sell marijuana products such as gummies, vapes, and raw cannabis through newly created “RISE Express” dispensaries that will be attached to Circle K store, but utilizing a separate entrance from the main store.  A spokesperson for Green Thumb stated, “To be clear, Circle K is not selling ..read more

Marijuana, the flower of the cannabis plant, has been used for its psychoactive and medicinal qualities for thousands of years. While the 1900’s were marked by criminalization of marijuana, the new millennium brought about a reversal, favoring legalization in many jurisdictions. Today, 38 states and the District of Columbia recognize the medical benefits of the drug, allowing people to obtain and use it if they have the endorsement of their physician. Furthermore, with recent ballot measures passing in Maryland and Missouri, 21 states and the District of Columbia have legalized recreational ma ..read more

By Andrew Smith Listen to the podcast here to hear Collins and Lacy Attorney Andrew Smith discuss this topic with his special guest, Josh Rainwater, owner of Transmission Arcade in Columbia, SC. It has been nearly a century since coin-operated pinball machines were first manufactured in the early 1930’s. Nearly forty years before Pete Townshend of The Who told us that he “sure plays a mean pinball,” these simple machines were an affordable source of entertainment for people who sought a brief moment of fun during the Great Depression. Once the machines began gaining popularity with c ..read more

South Carolina’s frozen alcoholic dessert industry has flourished over the past decade, just as one might imagine sweet tea did in the early 1800’s. Like sweet tea, ice cream is in high demand throughout the hot South Carolina summers and is sometimes enjoyed with alcohol. However, unlike sweet tea, ice cream is typically not served as a beverage. Rather ice cream is served, and most often consumed, as a solid. While this is a minor detail to most, it makes all the difference in the application of South Carolina’s alcohol regulatory scheme. Due to the Alcoholic Beverage Control Act’s (ABC) ant ..read more

If you’ve spent time in South Carolina, whether you live near a golf course, have visited the barrier islands, or have been to a college football game, you’ve probably noticed golf carts being driven on the road. Whether you’re considering purchasing a golf cart for personal use, renting a golf cart on your next family vacation, or using a golf cart for business purposes, you should learn how to comply with state and local laws. To legally drive a golf cart on a public road, the golf cart must be insured, permitted, and registered with the DMV. The cost for registration and a permit is five do ..read more