(843) 374 - 4529
If you’ve been charged with a crime, the stakes are incredibly high, and bringing your strongest defense is paramount. You face not only legal fines and penalties but also social consequences that can negatively affect your future. If a criminal charge has been levied against you, the time to act is now – reach out for the professional legal counsel of an experienced Kingstree, SC, criminal defense lawyer today.
First and Foremost – You Have the Right to Remain Silent
If you are arrested or detained in relation to a crime, you are required to answer the officer’s basic identifying questions, but that is where the matter ends. You are not required to make a statement or to answer any additional questions, and it is not in your best interest to do so.
The police have well-honed interview skills that are designed to get you to say more than you mean to, and invoking your right to remain silent from the start is virtually always the best option. If you have something to share with the police, you can do so once you have skilled legal representation backing you up.
Another important point to make here is that, in order to invoke your right to remain silent, you’ll need to actually remain silent. Otherwise, anything you say could come back to haunt your case.
You Have the Right to an Attorney
This brings us to another primary right, which is the right to an attorney. You’ve been arrested, and your mind may be running in a million different directions but focusing on your right to remain silent and your right to an attorney can make all the difference in how your case is resolved. These are called your Miranda rights, and you should know them well.
Criminal Charges: Misdemeanors and Felonies
Criminal charges in the State of South Carolina include both misdemeanors and felonies. Misdemeanor charges are less serious, but this is only relatively speaking. A conviction for a misdemeanor charge can carry jail time and steep fines. Felony charges, however, are that much more serious – with higher fines and serious prison sentences.
The Social Consequences of a Conviction
If you’re convicted of a crime in South Carolina, it’s a matter of public record, and as a result, you can face serious social consequences that you may not have anticipated. Common examples include all the following:
- Difficulty renting a place to live or being approved for a home loan
- Problems related to your current job or difficulty finding a job
- Losses related to any professional licensure you may have
- A tarnished reputation overall
- Hindrances related to furthering your education, such as in relation to federal financial aid
Turn to an Experienced Kingstree, SC, Criminal Defense Attorney for the Help You Need Today
Cezar McKnight at The Law Offices of Cezar McKnight is a resourceful Kingstree, SC, criminal defense lawyer who dedicates his impressive practice to zealously protecting his client’s legal rights, and he’ll do the same for you. Your future is too important to leave to chance, so please don’t wait to contact us online or call 843-374-4529 today.