In South Carolina there are a great number of felonies, all with their own requirements and penalties. A felony lawyer needs to have extensive experience dealing with these kinds of charges. A good felony lawyer will be able to analyze the facts and pick out the inconsistencies that may exist in the prosecutor’s case.
It is also very important to note that felonies do not have a statute of limitations in South Carolina. That means that a prosecutor can charge you with a felony at any time after an incident. The clock does not run out and set you free!
How a SC Felony Attorney Can Help
Felonies are serious business in South Carolina. When it comes to criminal charges, felony charges are the most difficult type to face. Each felony charge has its own set of unique requirements the prosecution must prove. If the charge sticks, you could be facing some serious penalties including jail time and fines. The criminal punishments aren’t the only kind you will experience. In the short term, felony charges can deeply hurt families and current employment. Felony convictions also carry a bad stigma that can negatively affect future job prospects.
Felony attorneys in SC analyze cases and look for opportunities to put holes in the prosecution’s case. They fight to protect your rights and always put you first. They also have experience dealing with the prosecution in making favorable plea deals. This can result in reduced charges and a more lenient sentence.
Definition of a Felony
A felony is a criminal charge that is classified as a serious offense. They can be either violent or nonviolent. The alternative to a felony charge is a misdemeanor or citation.
Felonies are divided into six categories: Class A, Class B, Class C, Class D, Class E, and Class F, with Class A being the most serious and Class F the least serious. Each class also has a limit placed on its sentencing term. For example, a Class A felony may not exceed 30 years in jail, and a Class F felony can’t exceed 5 years. Some felonies are exempt from the categories described above and have their own set of guidelines. Murder, Incest, and Burglary in the 1st Degree are just a few that are exempt.
Examples of Felonies in Each Class
| Class A | Class B | Class C | Class D | Class E | Class F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kidnapping | 2nd Degree Arson | Carjacking | 3rd Degree Arson | Reckless Homicide | Stalking |
| Attempted Murder | Attempted Armed Robbery | 2nd Degree Burglary |
How Kent Collins Can Help
Kent Collins has over 13 years of experience dealing with criminal cases, including felony crimes. He is also a former prosecutor, which means he knows how to analyze a case from the opposing side. This can be helpful in anticipating how the prosecutor handling your case will act.
If you are wondering what a SC felony attorney will do for you, here is a look at what Kent Collins does for his clients:
- Explain the entire criminal court process so you know what to expect
- Analyze your case and present any defenses possible to invalidate your arrest
- Fight to keep you out of jail and with your family while your case is awaiting trial
- Study the facts of your case and use any defense that applies in defending you at trial
- Utilize his knowledge of the prosecutor’s approach to felony criminal cases to give you the advantage you need to beat the case or minimize the impact it has on your life.
Facing a felony charge?
If you have been charged with a felony crime in the Aiken, Newberry, Lexington, or Columbia, SC area call us today. Weekend and after-hours consultations are available too!
Contact our office today by calling 803-808-0905 or use this online form to send us an email. South Carolina felony attorney Kent Collins offers consultations to discuss the facts and circumstances surrounding your case and learn how he can help you protect your rights.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can felony charges be dropped to misdemeanors?
Yes! Felony charges can be reduced to misdemeanor charges. This most commonly occurs through the process of plea bargaining. Your defense attorney negotiates back and forth with the prosecutor until a deal that is favorable to you is reached in exchange for your guilty plea.
How can I get felony charges dropped?
A felony attorney can get felony charges dropped in some cases. Sometimes the police or prosecution make mistakes. Those mistakes can result in dropped charges if they are bad enough.
Is a felony a federal crime?
Felonies can be federal crimes, but not all federal crimes are felonies. A felony is merely a classification of a criminal charge. Some charges are felonies, some misdemeanors, and some tickets/citations.
What are felony crimes?
Felony crimes are the most serious type of criminal charge in South Carolina. They are more serious than tickets/citations and misdemeanors. They often come with hefty prison sentences and fines.
A few examples of felony crimes in SC are: 1st Degree Murder, Kidnapping, Trafficking Marijuana, and 1st Degree Arson.
What felony can be expunged?
Felonies can’t typically be expunged. This is due to the severity of felony crimes. There is a possibility of getting a felony charge for which you were not convicted expunged. This can include charges you were found innocent of and those that were dismissed.
Will a felony always be on my record?
Yes. Felonies do not expire and disappear from your record. They will follow you around unless you are able to get it expunged. This is why seeking the help of an experienced felony attorney as soon as possible is very important.
READY TO SPEAK WITH AN ATTORNEY?
Get your case evaluated by a real attorney at no cost to you.