Common Criminal Charges in Myrtle Beach and How to Defend Against Them

Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, is a vibrant coastal city, marked by its port and beaches, boardwalk, and amusement parks. It is among the top tourist spots across the country which, consequently, attracts its fair share of wrongful activities. Be it a native or a traveler, being faced with criminal legal disputes is shocking and could potentially change your life for the worse. In resolving your case, knowing the various common charges and how best to defend yourself is immensely important. 

In the case that you are facing incarceration for a crime, hiring a well established Myrtle Beach criminal defense attorney such as the ones at Brad Richardson Law Firm will allow you to put forth the best defense strategy possible. At Criminal Defense Lawyer Myrtle Beach, you will find a myriad of criminal lawyers ready to assist you with proficient legal counsel. Here is some more information on the common criminal charges as well as the possible defenses to them. 

1. Drug Offenses

In Myrtle Beach, drug-related offenses are the most popular crimes. These include possession and trafficking of drugs. Drug laws within South Carolina are very rigid and a conviction can lead to major penalties including costly fees, probation, and imprisonment. 

How to Defend Against Drug Charges:

•   Challenging the Evidence: An arguement can be made that the drugs were obtained through an illegal search and seizure, which violates the Fourth Amendment.
•   Lack of Possession: Your Myrtle Beach Personal Injury Lawyer can claim you do not have actual or constructive possession of the drugs if they were not within your immediate reach.
•   Medical Necessity: In some cases, a valid medical prescription or medical necessity defense may apply.

2. Driving Under the Influence (DUI)

Myrtle Beach has a large volume of DUI offenses, specifically during the tourism season. Losing one’s license, fees, taking mandatory alcohol classes, or even jail time may all be consequences of a DUI conviction. 

How to Defend Against DUI Charges:

•   Questioning the Stop: Argument can be made whether or not the police had adequate reason to conduct a traffic stop.
•   Accuracy of Field Sobriety Tests: External factors such as fatigue or other medical conditions can affect the accuracy of these tests, which is often subjective by nature.
•   Breathalyzer Calibration: Results from the breathalyzer are inadmissible in court if the device used was not properly calibrated or maintained.

3. Assault and Battery

Assault and battery charges stem from fights, domestic violence issues, or simply just misinterpretations. These can be anything from simple assault (a misdemeanor) to aggravated assault (a felony), depending on the situation.

How to Defend Against Assault and Battery Charges:

•   Self-Defense: If the accusations were of you defending yourself or someone, your lawyer would need proof but his defense is there to support the case.
•   Lack of Intent: To charge someone with assault, they require intent. If it was a mere accident, your Myrtle Beach Car Accident Lawyer can argue the claim had no intent to cause any harm.
•   False Allegations: Sometimes, these charges can be the product of false allegations and your lawyer will take steps prove that.

4. Theft and Property Crimes

Crimes such as shoplifting, burglaries, or robberies are commonplace in Myrtle beach due to the high volume of tourists. These crimes have varying penalties depending on the amount of property deemed as stolen and if there was violence involved. 

How to Defend Against Theft Charges:

•   Mistaken Identity: If someone wrongfully identified you as the suspect, your attorney can gather evidence that proves you were not the perpetrator.
•   Lack of Intent: To substantiate theft prosecution, there must be proof that a person intended to deprive the owner of their property. If you thought the property was yours or that you were authorized to take it, then this defense will work
•   Return of Property: Sometimes, cooperating with authorities and returning the stolen property can lead to lower charges or reduced penalties

5. Domestic Violence

The restraining order, custody right revocation, and the lifelong mark on a person’s criminal record show how seriously domestic violence charges are treated in South Carolina. The repercussions are significant.

How to Defend Against Domestic Violence Charges:

•   False Accusations: Anger can lead to domestic violence charges being filed during turbulent divorce or custody proceedings. Your attorney can objectively review the situation and defend the fabricated charges.
•   Self-Defense: Defending yourself or your children is justification, thus valid.
•   Lack of Evidence: It is the responsibility of the prosecutor to prove the occurrence of domestic violence beyond reasonable doubt. Your lawyer is able to dispute evidence and witness statements.

6. Disorderly Conduct

Disorderly conduct charges often arise from public disturbances such as large fighs, arguments, or any other type of disruptive behavior. The altercation can result in a lawsuit which can damage a person’s reputation, yield community service, hefty fines, or even result in a jail time. Typically, they are classified as misdemeanors.

How to Defend Against Disorderly Conduct Charges:

•   First Amendment Rights: If the charges stem from free speech or peaceful protest, your attorney can argue that your actions were protected under the First Amendment.
•   Lack of Public Disturbance: Your lawyer can challenge whether your behavior actually caused a public disturbance or posed a threat to others.
•   Proportional Response: If law enforcement overreacted to the situation, your attorney can argue that the charges are disproportionate.

Conclusion

In case you stumbled into criminal charges in Myrtle Beach, remember that the sooner one approaches a skilled criminal defense attorney to present your case, the better. Get in touch with Brad Richardson Law Firm and learn more about how their team can aid you in deserting crimanial charges. Your life is fragile and cannot be relied upon to take chances. Rather, a Myrtle Beach criminal defense lawyer can assist you greatly.