Under the South Carolina Victim's Bill of Rights anyone who is alleged to be the victim of any crime, including domestic violence, has a right to be represented by an attorney. It is the responsibility of the victim to select and pay for their attorney. Public defenders are not appointed in this capacity.
We have represented alleged victims in the past. Typically it is advisable for an alleged victim to obtain their own lawyer when:
- The prosecution fails to consider their side of the story
- Contesting a Court summons or subpoena
- There are allegations made about perjury or false information to police
Once an alleged victim hires an attorney all communications from the police, victim's advocate and the prosecution should then be made through the attorney. Although in almost all cases it would not be possible for one lawyer to represent both the defendant and the alleged victim it is possible for two separate attorney's to speak and work together.