When considering exonerations -- where someone who was convicted of a crime is later found to be innocent -- it is important to think about just how drastically a wrongful conviction can change a person’s life. The wrongfully convicted can lose many years that they...
Criminal Defense
Workplace theft happens when workers are treated poorly
Workplace theft -- ranging from theft of office supplies all the way up to direct embezzlement of company funds -- is more common than many people realize. Most workers have stolen something at one time or another. In fact, in one study, it was concluded that 68% of...
Exonerations raise questions about justice
It’s a nightmare scenario, getting arrested for a crime you did not commit. This fear is so prominent that it’s been the theme of countless movies, shows and books over the years. But it’s a real challenge that many people have faced, with some of them winding up on...
Does a criminal conviction affect my ability to secure a job?
It can be difficult for anyone to gain employment. It's particularly challenging if you have a criminal record, though. Your convictions never disappear off your permanent record, as happens with a bankruptcy here in the United States. Any conviction is instead...
What does South Carolina law consider drug paraphernalia?
Believe it or not, you do not have to possess any drugs to face a drug charge. The police could press charges based solely on some of the things you have lying about your house if they consider they are drug paraphernalia. What does South Carolina law say? South...
Racial bias continues to impact people in the U.S. justice system
In the past, and sometimes even today, racial injustices have an impact on the justice system and the people who are caught up in it. In 2009, the North Carolina General Assembly enacted the Racial Justice Act, or RJA, which allowed prisoners who were on death row to...
Clemency requests: How they’re handled in South Carolina
Sometimes, the criminal justice system makes a mistake: The wrong person gets convicted or a sentence is simply unfair. When that happens, it's important to look for ways to find post-conviction relief, including clemency or a pardon. In South Carolina, the governor...
Are 1% of people in prison actually innocent?
If you go to a prison and ask people whether they’re innocent, many will tell you that they are. While a cynical person may roll their eyes and assume that everyone is lying, you may ask yourself a deeper and more meaningful question: How many of those people are...
Eyewitness evidence is not always reliable
“It was him. He did it. I’d recognize him anytime.” That may be all it takes to send you to prison for a very long time -- one eyewitness who swears it was you. If you are in a police lineup, many things could go wrong. For this reason, courts will not admit...
Those convicted of theft crimes can face civil action by victims
There are multiple forms of theft ranging from embezzlement and shoplifting, which often occur without the victim's direct knowledge, to robberies and burglaries. Those accused of theft crimes may sometimes feel like they don't have many options to defend themselves....