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...
What is drug trafficking?
Drug trafficking in South Carolina carries some of the harshest punishments for drug-related crimes. If you're convicted of drug trafficking, you could spend years behind bars and pay thousands of dollars in fines. Depending on the situation, you might also incur...
Can you accidentally commit tax fraud?
Most taxpayers in South Carolina understand that cheating on their taxes is a crime that can lead to serious consequences. These consequences can include as much as three years behind bars and a fine of up to $10,000. But many taxpayers may be surprised to learn that...
Why witnesses’ testimony isn’t as accurate as people think
If you have recently gotten charged with a criminal offense or if you know that you are the subject of an investigation, finding out that law enforcement officers or state prosecutors have a witness who will testify to the court can seem like a worst-case scenario....
Difference between implied and informed consent laws
When a police officer in South Carolina pulls over a driver suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol, the officer may administer a breath or other field sobriety test. Officers do not possess the right to force drivers to take any part of a field sobriety...
Appealing a court decision
It can be frustrating for defendants in Greenville, North Carolina, to still be found guilty regardless of the best efforts of their attorneys. Some defendants opt for a plea bargain to avoid a trial. In either of these cases, he or she may be able to file an appeal....
Suspect in South Carolina murder turns himself in
A man who was being sought by police in South Carolina in connection with a deadly shooting on the night of Sept. 11 turned himself in to authorities on Sept. 14 according to a report from the Laurens County Sheriff's Department. The 38-year-old Fountain Inn resident...
Man sentenced for defrauding investors out of $3.4 million
Fraud is a type of white-collar crime committed by individuals and businesses in South Carolina and across the United States. While this type of crime can be prosecuted under state law, it is usually handled by federal prosecutors. For example, on Aug. 31, a U.S....
