South Carolina Criminal Domestic Violence

Domestic Violence (DV), is one of the most common criminal offenses now in South Carolina. DV charges are either misdemeanor or felony depending on the exact nature of the allegations and the defendant's prior history of DV offenses. All DV 2^nd, DV 1^st, and DVHAN charges are prosecuted in General Sessions and carry a possibility of a multi-year prison sentence for a first offense.

James Snell taken a particular interest in defending clients charged domestic violence cases. Attorney James Snell is the author of "Challenging CDV", which is the book written on the defense of South Carolina Domestic Violence charges. He is also the member of a local committee which provides recommendations to area services providers and law enforcement on regarding domestic violence issues.

We recognize that charges may be brought in cases where there is little or no evidence. Many times situations are blown completely out of control by law enforcement. A DV arrest or conviction may have serious and lifelong consequences that may affect every aspect of your life. If you or a loved one has been charged you owe it to yourselves to educate yourself on the relevant law and court procedures and retain a domestic violence defense attorney. Mr. Snell is experienced in representing both men and women charged with domestic violence, including clients with and without previous arrest records. What follows is information primarily for those charged with DV 3^rd Degree.

Household member is defined as:

• A spouse;
• A former spouse;
• Persons who have a child in common; or
• A male and female who are cohabiting or formerly have cohabitated.

The penalties if convicted for DV 3^rd Degree are as follows:

• Up to 90 days in jail; and/or,
• A fine of approximately $5,000; and/or,
• 26 weeks of domestic abuse counseling. Prosecuted in Magistrate Court (although some counties like Spartanburg refer to General Sessions); and,
• Inability to purchase or possess a firearm or ammunition

Additional penalties will include a criminal record, difficulty in entering certain foreign countries or in remaining legally in the United States or becoming a U.S. Citizen, loss of ability to possess a Concealed Weapon Permit, and possible lifetime employment consequences.

The law in South Carolina is that an officer must make a domestic violence arrest when they are called to a domestic disturbance and find evidence of actual physical harm along with cause to believe the incident has only recently occurred. Many times officers may be erroneously trained that they must make an arrest every time they are called to a domestic disturbance. This is not the case - although it creates situations in which individuals are arrested and charged with only minimal, or no evidence that any violation of the law actually occurred.

The Criminal Domestic Violence law is different from other offenses, such as simple assault, in that it does not require that there was actually any injury or attempt to cause any injury to another. It criminalizes conduct that in all other situations would not be a criminal act. Individuals may be arrested based on a misinterpretation of the statute by the officer, or based solely on unsupported or false allegations. However those arrested and charged with domestic violence are entitled to all of the protections of the law, and an arrest does not automatically result in a conviction or in any of the penalties.

Individuals charged with any level of domestic violence in South Carolina are entitled to be represented by an attorney at every stage of their case. After an individual is arrested they will be transported by the police to the local jail or county detention center. There they will be "booked" or admitted in, which will include a photograph and fingerprinting. Usually within 24 hours they will be taken before a Magistrate for purposes of setting bond. The Magistrate will determine what conditions should be imposed to allow for a release pending trial and whether or not a cash or surety bond will be imposed. Defendants may be represented by an attorney at the Bond Court.

After an individual has been released they will frequently be under an order set by the Bond Court to have no contact with the alleged victim in their case. If this "no contact" order was put into place, and the defendant is found to be in contact (even if such was initiated by the alleged victim) the defendant can be held in contempt of court and may be sentenced to 30 days or more in jail. The "no contact" provision may be imposed even in cases where the parties are married, living together and have small children. James Snell is familiar with the steps required to request a "no contact" order be lifted by the Court in appropriate cases.

The next step in the process will be a referral to the county's central CDV Court (Lexington and Richland and other large counties), the local Magistrate or Municipal Court. This Court date is usually written on the blue ticket, or will be provided at the Bond Court.

At The Law Office of James R. Snell, Jr., LLC, we represent individuals charged with all levels of domestic violence. After we are contacted by or on behalf of an individual who has been charged, or is under investigation, for domestic violence we will schedule an initial consultation with Mr. Snell. At this consultation you will have an opportunity to learn about the different options available to you.

Upon being retained Mr. Snell will file the necessary motions and paperwork with the Court to request that he receives the evidence the police or prosecute has and may be planning to use against you. Once that evidence is made available you will have an opportunity to review it fully with him and agree on an appropriate strategy for your case. Once your charges are formally challenged by our office you will ordinarily not have to appear on your original Court date (given on your ticket or at Bond Court) and instead any contested trial would not be scheduled until after we have an opportunity to investigate your case and review the evidence intended to be used against you.

We also regularly make us of advanced defense strategies designed to give our clients the best chance at either an agreed upon resolution with the prosecutor or success in trial. This includes:

• Use of a licensed private investigator to help uncover favorable evidence, or to preserve defense friendly versions of events
• Voluntarily enrollment in counseling programs
• Use of psychologists or other expert witnesses

After a review of your case, and negotiation with the police or prosecutor, it may be possible that your case will be resolved in one of the following ways:

• Referral to a program for individuals charged with domestic violence that will result in you not pleading or being found guilty and upon completion your charges will be dismissed and your record expunged;
• Referral for a comprehensive jury trial in which all facets of your case or charges will be challenged;
• Through plea negotiations to a reduced or lowed charge;
• Pre-trial dismissal by the prosecutor

Sometimes when an individual is arrested for domestic violence there are companion criminal charges brought at the same time. These may include (not a comprehensive list):

• Old bench warrants
• Child support warrants
• Disorderly conduct
• Resisting arrest
• Public intoxication
• Weapons Violations
• Drug Possession
• Cruelty to Children
• Assault on 3rd Parties
• Kidnapping
• Burglary
• Sexual Assault/Rape
• Probation Violations

As a criminal defense attorney, James Snell will be able to represent you on any companion or other charges that may be brought and assist in the interplay and complexities that multiple pending charges in different courts may present. Mr. Snell Strongly believes that no case or situation is hopeless, and he has found that methodical preparation combined with the availability of an aggressive courtroom defense frequently results in outcomes more favorable than first thought possible.