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If you or a loved one has been arrested and charged with a crime in South Carolina, you need an experienced criminal defense lawyer serving Greenville SC, who will fight to protect your rights. Smith Jordan Attorneys at Law offers some of the best criminal defense in the state, and they’re ready to assist you.
Graham Buckner is a criminal law attorney and former prosecutor in the Pickens County office of the 13th Judicial Circuit. He has had years of experience prosecuting crimes. Graham has successfully tried a wide variety of cases to verdict in his career, ranging from DUI to murder.
The criminal justice system is complex and confusing. Without proper representation, charges can become a conviction and then negatively impact your future. A criminal defense attorney can assist you in contesting your charges and ensuring you are not taken advantage of in “the system.”
Criminal Defense lawyers understand how to navigate the law and work within the state court system to make sure you have the best outcome possible in your case. These skills include being a shield for you from the prosecutor’s office while your case is pending and presenting your case in the best possible light to a judge or jury.
Handling a case yourself could mean that you are at the mercy of the prosecutor’s office, hoping for a good outcome. The problem is that the state is not on your side if you’ve been charged with a crime. If you try to handle your case without a criminal defense attorney, you may not get the results you wanted.
What makes our criminal defense lawyer Greenville serving SC different is the passion for working to meet and exceed our clients’ needs. We fight for you. We do whatever we can to win your case. You can count on that.
Plea deals can be favorable in some cases but aren’t always worth taking. Our criminal defense lawyer serving Greenville SC can help you determine whether this approach might be worth pursuing based on the situation at hand.
In Greenville, South Carolina, like in the rest of the United States, criminal defendants are protected by various constitutional rights designed to ensure a fair legal process. These rights come from the U.S. Constitution, particularly the Bill of Rights, as well as the South Carolina state constitution:
Right to an attorney: Defendants have the right to legal representation. If they cannot afford an attorney, one will be provided for them by the court. Greenville has public defenders available who can be appointed by the court.
Right to remain silent: Under the Fifth Amendment, defendants cannot be forced to testify or provide statements that could incriminate them.
Right to a fair and public trial: Defendants are entitled to a speedy, fair, and public trial by an impartial jury, ensuring transparency and a timely legal process.
Right to be informed of the charges: Defendants have the right to know the exact charges brought against them so they can properly defend themselves.
Right to confront witnesses: Defendants can cross-examine any witnesses who testify against them, which allows them to challenge the prosecution’s evidence.
Hiring a Greenville criminal attorney pays off. When you have a trusted, experienced attorney with a solid reputation working for you, no mistakes occur, you learn about all of your legal strategy options, and you get results. Our team strives to provide our clients with exceptional support in navigating these challenging legal matters with confidence.
★★★★★ “The entire process with Smith Jordan Law Firm was smooth and easy. They were all very friendly and knowledgeable. Any questions I had were handled promptly and professionally. Graham was awesome to work with, always being sharp dressed and confident. I would recommend The Smith Jordan Firm for any issue you may have that is related to their business model”
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★★★★★ “Awesome team, with very professional services. Graham is a great guy! Would definitely recommend it!”
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★★★★★ “Graham and Penny were great. They kept me informed of any changes and worked diligently ton my case. I recommend them to everyone.”
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One of the defense strategies Smith Jordan will do is to examine options for alternatives to jail and prison, providing a way for you to avoid the worst punishments. The availability of these depends on the circumstances of your case. Some examples may include:
Given your situation’s urgency, selecting the first attorney available can be tempting. Discernment need not be abandoned, however. No one criminal defense attorney is ideal for every client, but a few essential qualities are universally beneficial.
Local representation is key; your attorney should be thoroughly familiar with the complications of the South Carolina criminal justice system.
Empathy is also essential, as open discourse is not possible unless you feel cared for and respected. Other key qualities include attention to detail and proactive representation. You should feel confident that your criminal defense lawyer serving Greenville SC will fight on your behalf.
Our attorneys can help you navigate any criminal matter you are facing. Below are just some of the types of cases we handle; if you don’t see your particular case listed, please give us a call.
Driving under the influence carries numerous penalties in South Carolina, including fines and potential jail time. Our attorneys will develop a defense and refute charges against you or work to lower your risks of facing the worst outcome. Call our South Carolina personal injury attorney as soon as you are facing any charges.
With even more serious penalties and jail time risks, a felony DUI is one that you should have a criminal defense attorney for, and you should choose that provider to ensure you are confident in their ability to help you. Our highly experienced felony DUI defense attorneys will work aggressively to protect your rights throughout this case.
Drug charges in South Carolina may include the use of illegal substances as well as charges for possession or selling. No matter if these charges are true, you have the right to an attorney who can work diligently to minimize your risk of facing the worst outcome. Let us be there for you.
Assault and battery are intentional acts in which the objective is to harm or otherwise offend another person. It is often the fear of imminent harm that a person has. However, there is a lot of speculation in these cases, and it can be hard to define that risk clearly. Let us help provide you with a defense against these incidents.
Domestic violence incorporates any instance in which a person living within your home feels threatened or has suffered injuries brought on by another party living in that home. If you have been charged with domestic violence, understanding your rights, including your ability to continue living in your home, can be challenging. We can help you.
In South Carolina, a violent crime could be any incident in which a person is harmed or they are threatened with violence. This could include robbery, assault, murder, rape, or sexual assault. Our violent crimes defense attorney will work with you to ensure your rights are met consistently if you are facing these charges. Let us protect your future.
A white-collar crime occurs when some financial or business transaction occurs illegally. These are typically non-violent crimes, but they could have a significant impact on many people. Some examples include public corruption, mortgage fraud, securities fraud, Medicare or Medicaid fraud, and health care fraud.
A charge of resisting arrest may stem from a misunderstanding or even fear. If you are charged with this type of action, we strongly encourage you to work closely with our legal team to get immediate help navigating the situation.
Traffic offenses are serious crimes in many situations, especially when you are charged with injuring another person or causing damage to their property. Traffic offenses can carry long-term consequences, including jail time and fines in some cases.
Kidnapping convictions can carry a lifetime of complications. If you are charged with abducting a person and holding them against their will, that could put you at risk for serious legal consequences. Let our defense team formulate a solution for you.
Arson charges may occur if you have been accused of setting a fire that caused damage to a person’s property or person. Typically, it relates specifically to deliberate actions that result in this type of loss.
A burglary charge could be a felony charge in which you are faced with prison time and fines. If you are charged with stealing anything or attempting to do so, you need a well-qualified attorney by your side to help you navigate the legal process.
A breach of trust occurs in situations where a person breaks the rules related to the trust that a person has given you. For example, if someone was given the trust to park a car as a valet but then drove recklessly in doing so, that puts you at risk of a criminal charge.
Following the rules set by a probation officer is critical but often can be confusing. Probation violations may result in a wide range of mistakes, and in some cases, it is a criminal act punishable by fines and jail time.
As you work with our Greenville criminal attorney, we will provide you with a step-by-step understanding of what is going to happen. A basic rundown of what to expect includes:
South Carolina crimes primarily fall into one of two main categories: misdemeanors and felonies. Misdemeanors are largely regarded as the lesser of the two types of crimes, but don’t let that convince you to be complacent. Both misdemeanors and felonies can carry significant penalties.
In South Carolina, misdemeanors are categorized as Class A, B, or C. Class A misdemeanors are the most severe and may result in up to three years of jail time.
Felonies hold similar classifications, ranging from Class A to Class F. While Class F felonies max out at five years in jail, Class A crimes often result in sentences spanning multiple decades.
Don’t discuss your situation without a Greenville criminal defense attorney present. You must exercise your right to remain silent — and get in touch with a trusted Greenville criminal attorney as soon as possible.
Unfortunately, it’s shockingly easy for law enforcement to elicit false confessions and other incriminating details, even after they’ve read your Miranda rights.
Remember: you are entitled to legal representation every step of the way. This includes booking and any bond hearings or other preliminary processes.
Just because you have been arrested does not mean you have committed a crime. It also does not mean you should feel pressured to plead guilty if you know you did nothing wrong.
Before making any decision that could affect your future, you should speak with a criminal defense attorney to discuss what’s best for you. Graham Buckner is a criminal defense attorney located in Easley, South Carolina. He can talk to you about what’s best for you in your situation.
Hiring a Greenville criminal attorney will come with a fee to pay, but the amount of that is dependent on many factors, including the type of charge and the amount of work we have to do. In every case, we are open and honest about what you can expect.
How you react could determine a lot about your future, so proceeding with caution is essential. Guidance from an expert criminal attorney is essential, especially given the high stakes of your current situation.
When you work with Smith Jordan Attorneys at Law, you can rest assured that your case is in capable hands. Contact us online or call (864) 343-2222 now.
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