Criminal Defense Attorneys in Beaufort, SC
Being charged with a state or federal crime can be a frightening experience for anyone, especially someone who has never been in trouble with the law before. At the Dore Law Office, we know that sometimes good people find themselves in bad situations. Our firm serves clients throughout the state of South Carolina. We are committed to protecting your rights and your future by providing zealous legal representation.
Criminal defense is a highly specialized and technical area of the law. Self-representation can be dangerous, and you have the right to have the assistance of a lawyer, at all stages of the proceedings. There may be certain factual, legal, or other defenses to the charge(s) you are facing that you may not be aware of, that an attorney can help with. There may also be collateral consequences of a conviction or plea that you are not aware of, including but not limited to, increased penalties for subsequent offenses, suspension on your driver’s license, restriction of the right to possess firearms and/or ammunition, or your immigration status may be affected.
Work with an Experienced Criminal Defense Attorney
Criminal defense attorneys have years of education and experience to help them with the finer nuances of criminal defense. No two cases are ever the same, and defense attorneys are trained to find and exploit the differences to your advantage. Through their years of trial experience, they have learned to find the small facts and arguments that can make big differences in the outcome. Criminal law is extremely complex, and there are many ways to reduce or negate charges.
That being said, a criminal defense attorney should never “promise” to get you an acquittal or similar outcome. It’s simply not possible to know that with 100% certainty, so it’s unethical to make such a promise. A criminal defense lawyer’s job is to use every tool available to mitigate your charges or attempt to get them dismissed. They fight for your rights as a person and stand on your side, even when other people might not.
What to Expect from Your Attorney
It’s in your best interest to work with an experienced criminal defense attorney; you should never attempt to represent yourself. There’s a lot more to a criminal trial than just stating your case and calling on witnesses. Your criminal defense attorney will:
- Try to negotiate a deal with the prosecutor, known as a plea bargain. This may mean reduced sentencing, reduced charges, or dropped charges in exchange for something. For example, a prosecutor may reduce your jail time in exchange for extended probation.
- Determine a sentence that works best for you and argue the case for it. He or she will explain to the judge why this sentence is fair and suitable. For example, your attorney may have your eight month sentence reduced to four months in jail and four months of supervised probation or rehab, if the charges were related to drug use.
- Identify investigators that may be able to help your case. Private investigators will examine the crime, witnesses, and other information that may prove useful. In some circumstances, investigations may turn up evidence significantly beneficial for your case.
- Obtain information from witnesses that otherwise may be hesitant to come forward, as is common in criminal cases.
- Assist you in navigating the complexities of the legal system. For example, this could mean helping you understand the written and “unwritten” rules of court. Your attorney will also advise you on the different consequences for each type of plea and help you decide how to proceed.
- Finally, your attorney will help you emotionally through this time. There are a lot of feelings that go along with a criminal case, and your attorney can help you address them.
If you or somebody you care about has been charged with a crime, you need the Dore Law Office on your side fighting for you. Call our Beaufort office at (843) 522-9112, or our Ridgeland office at (843) 645-1738 for a free consultation.