Phone843-459-8835
Offices15 Prioleau Street Charleston, SC 29401
Criminal Defense Services
Across South Carolina
Criminal cases in South Carolina can involve municipal court, magistrate court, or General Sessions Court. McCoy Law Group helps clients respond to a wide range of charges, including:
DUI and Traffic Crimes
A DUI arrest can affect your driver’s license, insurance, job, and criminal record. McCoy Law Group reviews the stop, field sobriety testing, breath test records, video, officer reports, and whether the state can prove each required element.
Drug Charges
Drug cases may involve simple possession, possession with intent, distribution, trafficking, or prescription-related accusations. The firm reviews the search, seizure, lab testing, witness statements, informant issues, and whether police had a lawful reason to act.
Assault and Violent Crimes
An assault charge can grow from a fight, family dispute, bar confrontation, or conflicting witness account. A criminal defense attorney studies injuries, photos, video, 911 calls, self-defense issues, and the difference between what was reported and what can be proven.
Theft and Property Crimes
Shoplifting, burglary, breach of trust, fraud, and larceny charges can affect employment and reputation. Our defense team looks at value, intent, ownership, surveillance, digital records, witness credibility, and whether the charge matches the actual facts.
Weapons Charges
Gun charges can carry serious exposure, especially when tied to another offense. McCoy Law Group reviews possession issues, search problems, permit questions, prior record concerns, and whether the state can connect the weapon to the accused person.
Federal Criminal Charges
Federal cases move differently from state cases. We help clients facing investigations, indictments, grand jury concerns, white collar accusations, drug cases, firearm charges, and other matters handled in federal court.
What Makes a Federal Case Different From a State Case
Federal criminal cases do not start in a local South Carolina courtroom. They move through the United States District Court, often after federal agencies have already spent weeks or months reviewing records, surveillance, witness statements, financial documents, search results, or controlled buys.
By the time you learn charges are coming, the government may already be several steps ahead. A federal criminal defense attorney can help you understand what the government is relying on, what needs to be challenged, and what decisions should not be made too quickly.
Why Clients Contact Our Criminal Defense Attorney
Former Prosecutor Insight
Peter McCoy handled serious criminal cases as an Assistant Solicitor in Charleston. That experience helps the firm anticipate charging decisions, plea pressure, evidentiary weak spots, and trial strategy.
Trial-Tested Preparation
Some cases resolve through negotiation. Others require hearings or trial. McCoy Law Group prepares each case with the same attention to reports, witnesses, video, timelines, and admissible evidence.
Charleston Court Experience
Local practice matters. A case in Charleston may involve different court schedules, solicitor expectations, bond terms, and courtroom procedures than a case elsewhere in South Carolina.
Straight Answers Early
Clients need more than reassurance. The firm explains the charge, possible penalties, court timeline, evidence issues, and defense options in plain language before major decisions are made.
What Working With a South Carolina Criminal Defense Attorney Looks Like
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McCoy Law Group reviews the charge, bond paperwork, court notice, and any documents tied to your arrest.
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The firm looks at police reports, video, witness statements, testing records, and search issues.
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Your criminal defense attorney explains the court path, including whether the case may move through General Sessions Court.
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The defense plan is built around what the state can prove, not what the charge sounds like.
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McCoy Law Group prepares you for hearings, plea discussions, motions, or trial before decisions are made.
FAQ About a South Carolina Criminal Defense Attorney
What does a defense lawyer do in South Carolina?
A criminal defense attorney reviews the charge, evidence, police conduct, court deadlines, and possible penalties. They may challenge searches, statements, testing, witness claims, or the sufficiency of the state’s evidence. They also represent clients in bond hearings, negotiations, motions, trials, and sentencing when needed.
What court handles criminal charges in South Carolina?
Lower-level offenses may begin in municipal or magistrate court. More serious misdemeanors and felony cases are generally handled in General Sessions Court, which is the criminal side of South Carolina Circuit Court. The court path depends on the charge, penalty range, arrest paperwork, and prosecuting agency.
Should I speak to police after being charged?
You should be careful about speaking with police without a lawyer. Even short explanations can be used against you later. If officers want a statement, a lawyer can help you understand the risks before you answer questions or provide information.
Can a criminal charge be dismissed in South Carolina?
Yes, some charges are dismissed when the evidence is weak, the search was improper, witnesses change their statements, the wrong person was charged, or the prosecution agrees to a resolution that avoids conviction. Each case depends on the facts, the charge, and the available proof.
Peter served his entire tenure in the SC House on the Judiciary Committee where he later was elected unanimously by his legislative colleagues to serve as Chairman. Peter also served on the Judicial Merit Selection Committee as well as the Colleges and University Selection Committee.
