Is Weed Legal in South Carolina?
The legal landscape of marijuana has changed considerably over the last decade or two, and many people are confused about its legality throughout the country. The bottom line is that while even recreational marijuana has been legalized in many states, South Carolina is not among them. In other words, weed...
What Proof Do You Need for a Restraining Order?
Restraining orders in South Carolina are used to help protect those being harassed or stalked by others. These orders prohibit those accused from engaging in specific actions and activities, and they are generally issued by the state’s magistrate courts or, in some situations, by the state’s family courts. If you’re...
What Is a Felony BUI?
While boating is a form of recreation, that doesn’t mean that strict laws don’t apply. When the person manning a boat is under the influence of alcohol or drugs, they can face a charge of boating under the influence (BUI), which can be elevated to a felony if they cause...
What Are the Consequences for Driving with a Suspended License?
To drive in South Carolina – and every other state in the nation – you need a driver’s license. If you’re pulled over and your license has been suspended, you can face the charge of driving under a suspended license, which comes with serious consequences of its own that vary...
Consequences of Public Intoxication in South Carolina
The consequences of public intoxication in South Carolina can be serious and costly. These consequences can have long-lasting effects on individuals’ personal and professional lives. If you are facing charges of public intoxication, immediately consult with an experienced Columbia criminal defense attorney who can assess your best defense options. Understanding...
What Happens When Your License is Taken Away?
Losing your driver’s license can have severe consequences for your daily life and overall mobility. Whether it’s due to a traffic violation, a DUI charge, or accumulating too many points on your license, the loss of this privilege can significantly impact your ability to work, run errands, or even visit...
What is Extortion?
Extortion is a serious criminal offense that involves using intimidation, threats, or coercion to obtain property, money, or services from another person. If you’ve been accused of extortion, you face significant legal challenges that require a clear understanding of the charges and your defense options. Columbia, SC, criminal defense attorney...
Have you been charged with intent to distribute drugs?
The state of South Carolina is cracking down on offenses related to the possession and distribution of prescription drugs. There is now a prescription monitoring program designed to stop the illegal diversion of drugs from both community and hospital outpatient pharmacies. Did the SCRIPTS program lead authorities to you? The...
3 common types of federal offenses
Some criminal acts are so serious that they require federal prosecution. Federal crimes are generally worse and come with harsher punishments than state crimes. But what exactly are federal offenses? There are many types of unlawful acts that are subject to federal prosecution. Here are some of the more common...
Are you unknowingly committing tax fraud?
Have you ever filed your own taxes and guessed when it came to an answer or two? If so, you are in good company. Taxes are inherently complicated, and even if you have the best intentions and believe you are being as thorough and forthright as possible when filing, you...
What is embezzlement?
When an employee misappropriates or steals money from his or her employer, it is embezzlement. This type of employee theft is different than pure stealing. This is because the employee has permission to handle the assets in a particular way, but not to use it for his or her enrichment....
Are cryptocurrencies contributing to tax fraud?
The IRS is worried. The meteoric rise of cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin has led to something of a techno-money “boom” in recent years. Consequently, the IRS wonders whether or not it’s getting its fair share of the profits. As with other monetary transactions, Bitcoin exchanges are subject to capital gains taxes...
Federal and state criminal charges in South Carolina
Those who face criminal charges must deal with a tangle of often confusing procedures and rules. At this time, you need a reliable attorney at your side who can keep you informed while working vigorously to defend your case. One important issue relates to whether the charges in question will...
Could I be convicted of wire fraud?
Wire fraud is a white-collar crime. This means it involves money and finances. It is non-violent, but that does not mean its effects are not serious. This type of fraud can cost individuals and financial institutions a lot of money. In simple terms, wire fraud is when one person gets...
Why are some drug charges a federal offense?
Drug charges are a serious problem that can disrupt your life significantly. This is true if you are facing charges at the state level, but it is especially true if you have been accused of a federal-level crime. You might be wondering what differentiates the two and why a drug...
What is wire fraud?
Federal prosecutors may charge you with wire fraud when they allege you used a communications device to transmit information across state lines as part of a scheme to defraud someone of property. Sometimes, prosecutors use wire fraud charges as a fallback when they encounter difficulties proving the elements of more...
Drug addicts need treatment, not jail time
After a drug-related conviction, the punishments you may face tend to vary based on factors, such as the severity of the crime itself and where the crime occurred. While you may have to serve jail time for your offense, drug offenders in many areas may have the option of participation...
What constitutes trademark infringement?
If you own your own business, you probably understand that your name means everything. To get people to remember you and what your business brings to the table, you need strong, cohesive branding, and part of the branding process often involves the development of a trademark. A trademark is a...
Entrapment and white-collar crime
When a person is accused of committing a crime, entrapment is one of the possible defenses available. Asserting this defense means that the accused must prove that he or she would not have committed the crime in question without the pressure from law enforcement agents. This can be a complicated...
What is insider trading?
The basic tenets of prohibited insider trading forbid using “inside” knowledge to get an advantage in securities trading. With continuously increasing levels of enforcement along with strict court rulings that give prosecutors more scope, anyone involved in trading and investment should be aware of the many complex laws and regulations...
What constitutes embezzlement, and how serious is it?
Embezzlement occurs when someone in charge of another’s money and/or property, usually a company’s, takes or uses those assets for their own personal gain. In definition, it may sound the same as any other type of theft, but there a few key differences that set embezzlement apart. If you are...