Greenville Criminal Law Blog

Reasonable defense options when fighting a DUI in South Carolina

On behalf of Ryan L. Beasley, Attorney at Law on Friday, August 16, 2019.

Perhaps you were out with friends or headed home from a nice dinner when you noticed flashing lights behind you. When an officer pulls you over for suspected drunk driving, it can be frightening, but it can be especially overwhelming to find yourself facing DUI charges. Whether it is your first offense or you have other DUIs on your record, you understand how important it is to fight back.

Many people underestimate the serious nature of a DUI offense -- you should not be one of them. It is in your interests to take your case seriously, mounting a defense that confronts the prosecution's case effectively. There are several different options for reasonable DUI defense strategies, and the right one for your case depends on the circumstances of your individual situation.

How law enforcement agencies target drivers on I-85

On behalf of Ryan L. Beasley, Attorney at Law on Monday, August 12, 2019.

The number of stories is almost staggering. Search for “drug charges I-85” online and you’ll get page after page of results from recent years. There are many stories and press releases about officers arresting individuals for drugs after traffic stops on Interstate 85. It’s not an accident.

As a story by the Greenville News makes clear, law enforcement officers make a concerted effort to monitor the busy highway as part of an effort known as Operation Rolling Thunder. And these agencies are going to great lengths to find a reason to look in an individual’s vehicle. As one deputy explained to the reporter, “Nearly everyone does something illegal if you follow them long enough.”

College students aren't always presumed innocent

On behalf of Ryan L. Beasley, Attorney at Law on Wednesday, August 7, 2019.

College is often a young adult's first time out from under their parents' roof for an extended period of time. While moving into the dorms is a great learning experience, it can also be hard on both the students and their parents, as mistakes are made that may have long-ranging consequences.

College students are expected to abide by the rules and their school's code of conduct. While the codes vary from school to school, generally speaking, facing criminal charges may be a cause for suspension or expulsion — often without due legal process for the student. Conduct that is not criminal or that would not be illegal off-campus can also result in harsh disciplinary measures.

South Carolina college has its own municipal court

On behalf of Ryan L. Beasley, Attorney at Law on Tuesday, August 6, 2019.

As you walk on the campus of Clemson University, you may think the laws and rules of surrounding Clemson, South Carolina, apply. However, this may not be the case.

Clemson University has the unique position of being its own municipality. The municipality of Clemson University includes a five-mile radius around the center of the campus. This separates the college from the town of Clemson. Where you are located between Clemson and Clemson University could affect which laws apply.

Theft, embezzlement and fraud: What's the difference?

On behalf of Ryan L. Beasley, Attorney at Law on Monday, July 22, 2019.

Theft, fraud and embezzlement are all serious criminal charges. And one is not necessarily worse than the other. The penalties vary with the severity of the crime – the circumstances and the amount of money involved.

Here’s a closer look at these terms you often hear in the news and what they may mean in a legal context.

Professionals facing criminal charges may have twice the worries

On behalf of Ryan L. Beasley, Attorney at Law on Thursday, July 18, 2019.

Professionals licensed in their field have twice as much to worry about when facing a criminal charge. On top of defending their rights against criminal allegations, they must protect their professional license.

Most professional fields take a criminal conviction very seriously, as their freedom and their livelihood are at risk if convicted. It is important to be proactive in defense of both.

Consequences of a DUI for underage drivers

On behalf of Ryan L. Beasley, Attorney at Law on Wednesday, June 26, 2019.

Facing DUI charges can be terrifying for anyone. Whether it’s your first offense, you refused to consent to a breath test or more, the consequences can be steep and you may wonder how the penalties may affect your life.

For underage drivers, the effects of a DUI conviction can be even more devastating. While South Carolina enforces a legal blood alcohol content (BAC) level of 0.08% for drivers over 21, the state has a "zero tolerance" policy for underage drivers. Drivers under the age of 21 in high school or college may face significant penalties if their BAC level is over 0.02%.

Differences between drug possession and possession with intent

On behalf of Ryan L. Beasley, Attorney at Law on Wednesday, June 26, 2019.

You’re driving along, are pulled over and now you’re in a jam. You’ve got drugs in the car and don’t know what to do. In South Carolina, cops don’t need evidence of drug dealer paraphernalia to charge you for possession with intent to sell if the amount of drugs your carrying is a certain weight (the weight differs from drug to drug).

Overcharging is common in situations dealing with drug charges. The differences between charges associated with possession and possession with intent to sell are drastic dependent on the drug.

Insider trading – a brief FAQ

On behalf of Ryan L. Beasley, Attorney at Law on Wednesday, May 8, 2019.

What do you think of when you hear the words “insider trading”? Quite likely, you think of white collar criminals who got wind of some juicy information, used it to make a killing in the stock market, then got caught and winded up in jail. But most insider trading is actually legal.

Corporate insiders trade stock all the time, and that’s good news for you if you get a job with a publicly traded corporation. It means you can still climb up the rungs to claim a position with a stock option and use those stocks to your advantage. You just need to know and follow the rules.

What you need to know when facing embezzlement charges

On behalf of Ryan L. Beasley, Attorney at Law on Wednesday, April 17, 2019.

Facing charges of embezzlement can be overwhelming. While you may face significant penalties if convicted, even facing charges can come with substantial consequences for your career, reputation and future.

For those working in sales, finance, accounting or another industry involving close contact with company or client funds, understanding what embezzlement is and the penalties you could face is critical. South Carolina law is tough on white collar crimes and fraudulent activities. Whether your actions were intentional or by accident, you could find yourself entangled in a high stakes legal situation.