When determining whether or not your charges are misdemeanor or felony level it is important to understand that just because you have be arrested for an offense it is not the same thing as being convicted.
In South Carolina there are both misdemeanor and felony level domestic violence offenses. Although everyone who has been arrested for criminal domestic violence of a high and aggravated nature (DVHAN) has been currently charged with a felony, this does not mean that everyone will be convicted of a felony.
The "no drop" policy also does not prevent a prosecutor from reducing your charge, nor does it limit a Court's ability to find you not guilty after a trial.
There are several ways we have assisted clients in favorably resolving a South Carolina DVHAN charge:
- Negotiated placement in the pre-trial intervention (PTI) program. Successful completion of this program will result in a dismissal of the charge and having your record cleared
- Reduction in charges to a misdemeanor level, and then instead of a mandatory prison sentence be allow to pay a small fine or complete a serious of counseling classes
- Pleading "not guilty" and then proceeding as a contested case in Court.
If you or a loved one has been charged with DVHAN you should understand that time is of the essence if you wish to provide the best possible chance of achieving a favorable outcome. We offer free case valuations in our office to those who are seeking to retain counsel regarding any domestic violence charge. To schedule your appointment please call (803) 359-3301.