Modifying No-Contact Bond Restrictions
When our clients are placed under a no-contact bond restriction we are
able to immediately begin the process to request it to be lifted. No-contact
bond restrictions are dangerous to everyone charged, as any violation,
no matter how slight, can lead to an immediate return to jail, but now
with no possibility of making bond.
If a no-contact bond applies to you it is important that you have no contact
with your partner. The law does not make exceptions for married couples,
co-workers, or people with children in common. No contact means no contact.
Don't risk a return to jail, contact us to begin the process to legally
get your life back on track.
Domestic Violence Offenses
South Carolina now recognizes four distinct DV charges. These include:
-
DV 3rd Degree
-
DV 2nd Degree
-
DV 1st Degree, and
- DVHAN
These aren't the same as the prior CDV charges that you may have been familiar
with. In fact, under the current law penalties have increased by a factor of
thirty-six (36) times for many first offenses! Many cases where there is no actual physical
injury and no prior complaints of domestic violence now face a real possibility
of an actual prison sentence.
We help our clients regardless of what court their case is assigned to.
Services are available in every county, in every Magistrate, Municipal,
or in the Court of General Sessions.
In addition to the domestic violence charges, we also are available to
represent clients in any related criminal charge. This includes offenses such as:
- Unlawful Conduct Towards a Child
- Kidnapping
- Spousal Sexual Battery
-
Assault 3rd Degree
We approach domestic violence defense in a way much different than other
types of criminal charges. Understanding how and why domestic violence
is different from other types of assaults or incidents is a critical part
of a defense strategy. We have seen favorable results in domestic violence
cases from a variety of circumstances. No matter what your situation is
no case is hopeless. Our attorneys have found that an investigation into
the facts of a domestic violence case, along with the availability of
an aggressive courtroom defense, can result in outcomes far more favorable
than was first thought possible.
Major Case Defense
Attorney James Snell also has significant experience in represent clients
in major domestic violence related felonies. This includes charges up
to and including murder. We can provide a fully comprehensive defense
that includes all the necessary experts and investigators to defend any charge.
Mental Health and Domestic Violence
A significant number of domestic violence arrests stem from mental health
issues or psychotic brakes. We have seen many situations where police
were called by a concerned family member trying to get someone help, only
to have them carted off the jail instead. In other instances we have seen
were family members were arrested based on false accusations made during
a mental health breakdown. In any event, when we see that mental health
circumstances play a significant role in a domestic violence case we regularly
include the services of trained forensic psychologist (Ph.D. level) to
evaluate the circumstances of the arrest as part of our service.
Services We Offer for Domestic Violence Charges
If you have been charged with domestic violence you should consult with
an attorney before appearing in Court. If you fail to do so you could
find yourself convicted before having any meaningful opportunity to challenge
your arrest or present your side of the story.
Possible Sentences for DV Charges
We want to work hard to ensure that our clients can avoid an unnecessary
domestic violence conviction, and to otherwise seek a reduction in the
severity of charges or sentencing. For many though the first question
is how much jail time does the charge carry.
Here are the sentence ranges for South Carolina domestic violence charges:
-
DV 3rd Degree, up to 90 days
-
DV 2nd Degree, up to 3 years
-
DV 1st Degree, up to 10 years
- DVHAN, up to 20 years
There is no charge to meet with our South Carolina Defense Lawyer about
your case. To schedule your appointment call the Law Office of James R.
Snell, Jr., LLC, directly at (803) 359-3301. Initial appointments are
scheduled in-person only at our office located in 123 Harmon Street, Lexington.
The hiring of a lawyer for a serious criminal matter is an important decision
and we do not recommend it be attempted over the telephone.
