Having federal agents show up at your home or office is a highly stressful experience. Even if they say they just want to ask you a few questions or “have a chat” and don’t appear to be accusing you of any wrongdoing, it’s natural to be anxious. Nonetheless, anything...
Felonies
Overcoming the challenges of finding a job with a criminal background
People make mistakes. It’s very likely that there are people all around you who have misdemeanors and felonies, but you may never have thought to ask. If you have a criminal background, you may find that it is harder to find a job. Before you give up, it’s important...
Man walks free after 44 years in prison
Though it sometimes takes many years, someone who is innocent should always have the opportunity to fight for their freedom. Sometimes, the courts do get things wrong, especially decades ago when racism often played a part in the criminal justice system. Take, for...
Making animal cruelty a federal crime
Cruelty against animals is currently a misdemeanor crime in many parts of the country. Those convicted of animal cruelty often face minor penalties, including small fines. However, some lawmakers hope to make this type of crime a felony across South Carolina and the...
Reckless homicide defined by ignoring obvious risks to others
The exact circumstances of a crime determine the selection of criminal charges in South Carolina. The intent and behavior of an individual accused of killing another person influence how a prosecutor applies a homicide charge. The term reckless homicide has been...
Differences between assault and battery
There is a common misconception that assault and battery are the same thing, but they are legally different in South Carolina and in other states. Assault means placing someone in fear of physical harm while battery involves actual contact. For example, a person...
South Carolina man connected to string of bank robberies
Authorities say that a 60-year-old South Carolina man who was taken into custody on the morning of Nov. 15 has been linked to a recent series of at least six bank robberies in Alabama and Florida. The man was apprehended when officers from the Lakeland Police...
Understanding what makes a crime a felony
Felonies are the most serious crimes in a classification system that can include infractions, misdemeanors and felonies. In South Carolina, a felony conviction can result in fines or prison time of five years or more. Many crimes classed as felony offenses are violent...
Up to 6 percent of inmates may be wrongfully convicted
Some Pennsylvanians are wrongfully convicted of crimes that they did not commit. While cases in which people have been exonerated by DNA for murder convictions have been reported, little information about the percentage of people who have been wrongfully convicted of...
Understanding stalking laws in South Carolina
South Carolina law acknowledges that there is a fine line between giving extra attention to and stalking someone. The law generally defines stalking as any activity that could cause fear of death or assault. Stalking may also occur when a pattern of activity causes...