Under the Fourth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, each of us is protected against “unreasonable search and seizure” by law enforcement. Most of the time, this means that an officer must obtain a search warrant before conducting a search of you or your property....
How to handle a traffic stop
When you see red flashing lights in your rearview mirror, a sense of dread probably comes over you. Maybe you were speeding. Maybe you drove through a red light. You hope you aren’t driving drunk or high if you’re now on your way home after partying with friends....
What happens at a preliminary hearing?
Those going through the court system for the first time may be surprised at how many stages there are within the process. One of the first steps you may encounter includes the preliminary hearing. In North Carolina, judges have this step in place to determine if there...
Refusing a chemical test in South Carolina
South Carolina, like most other states, has an implied consent law. This means that motorists in the Palmetto State are expected to consent to requests to take a breath test or provide a blood or urine sample for toxicology testing. Motorists who worry that consenting...
An explanation of RICO
Congress passed the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act in 1978. The government must prove at least five different things to find an individual guilty of federal racketeering. This federal law applies to everyone living in South Carolina and throughout...
How many times can a case be appealed?
Individuals convicted of a criminal offense in South Carolina will likely want to know how many opportunities they have to appeal the verdict against them. Generally speaking, criminal defendants can make a single appeal to the court that rules directly above the one...
How synthetic drugs are interfering with drug trials
In recent years, a growing number of drug manufacturers have started selling synthetic forms of marijuana. Synthetic drugs have been known to cause overdoses and fatalities to the people who use them. These synthetic drugs also created another complication: they've...
