SOUTH CAROLINA CRIMINAL TRIALS
I have set my life upon a cast, and shall stand the hazard of the die…
Richard III, William Shakespeare
Five things to know about criminal jury trials in South Carolina
1. Trials are governed by the South Carolina Rules of Evidence and South Carolina Rules of Criminal Procedure along with other local rules that sometimes apply. Just like football or baseball, you have to play within the rules. Sometimes these rules do not permit the "gotcha moments" seen on TV and there are rarely "surprise witnesses". Why? Because the State has very strict disclosure requirements. The Defense is also under a duty to disclose in certain situations.
2. In South Carolina, you have an absolute right to a jury trial in criminal cases. This means that if you want a jury to decide your guilt or innocence regarding a traffic ticket, you can.
3. Trials are always risky. No matter how "convinced" one can be in a "truth", no one has control over what six or twelve citizens will do with a set of facts and evidence.
4. Trials can be expensive. Most felony trials feature some sort of "expert". The "expert", such as a chemist, engineer, doctor, ballistics expert, testifies for one side. They are usually compensated by the party who calls them as a witness.
5. Trials are just like you see on TV, except the lawyers are not as good looking and the cases are not as interesting (for the most part).
If you have been charged with a probation violation, traffic ticket, criminal offense, or a DUI, feel free to contact me to discuss your options. At my office, you will receive a free interview in criminal cases. If retained, I will go about protecting your initial court appearance, if possible, and begin investigating the case. If you have questions about a criminal or DUI case or questions about this article, feel free to contact me at (843) 761-0610. If you would like to read more about South Carolina's DUI and criminal laws, copy/paste this link into your search heading http://www.vannoylawoffice.com/blog/
If you have questions regarding a DUI or criminal case in Berkeley, Charleston, or Dorchester County, please contact my office today at (843) 761-0610 or through the contact page on this website.
Brady Vannoy is a criminal defense lawyer in Berkeley County, South Carolina. He carries a Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent Rating. According to the rating system, "AV Preeminent(r) is a significant rating accomplishment-a testament to the fact that a lawyer's peers rank him or her at the highest level of professional excellence."
Brady Vannoy is a member of The National Trial Lawyers, Top 100 Trial Lawyers in South Carolina. You can find his profile at www.thenationaltriallawyers.org.
Brady Vannoy's office is located in downtown Moncks Corner. He regularly takes cases in Berkeley, Charleston, and Dorchester counties. Brady is a member of the South Carolina Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, The National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, and The National Trial Lawyers, Top 100. Brady defends DUI and all types of criminal cases in Berkeley, Charleston, and Dorchester counties along with other areas of the South Carolina low country. He can be reached at (843) 761-0610 or through the contact page on this website.