Criminal Defense in South Carolina

South Carolina does not classify crimes by degree — offenses are simply felonies or misdemeanors with specific penalty ranges set by statute. Defense costs range $2,000-$5,000 for misdemeanors to $7,500-$40,000 for felonies. South Carolina has mandatory minimum sentences for many violent crimes and drug offenses. The state's circuit court system operates on a rotating judge basis, meaning different judges hear cases in different counties. Pretrial intervention (PTI) is available for first-time offenders through the solicitor's office. South Carolina's Stand Your Ground and Castle Doctrine laws provide robust self-defense protections.