Criminal Defense Attorneys In Gaffney, South Carolina

Were you or a family member charged with a felony or misdemeanor in circuit court, magistrate court or city court? DUI, robbery, drug charges, or murder, our lawyers are available to review your criminal charges and possible defenses.

We have extensive experience in the practice of criminal law, handling practically all types of criminal cases, including murder, armed robbery, burglary, criminal sexual conduct, larceny, drug offenses, assault and battery, DUI and many others. Our defense work has led to many successful resolutions, including one case that went to the South Carolina Supreme Court.

Should I Hire A Lawyer?

Once charged with a criminal offense, it’s important that you hire an experienced criminal attorney as soon as possible. This is the case regardless of whether it’s an offense triable in magistrate court, city court or circuit court. Our attorneys have the experience you need. Furthermore, we are not afraid to see your case to the court of appeals or the South Carolina Supreme Court.

A Word About Bond

If a magistrate signed your warrant, then your bond will be set by a magistrate. If a city judge signed your warrant, then your bond will be set by a city judge. However, if charged with a crime where the maximum sentence is life in prison, such as murder, burglary in the first degree, or criminal sexual conduct with a minor in the first degree, then your bond must be set by a circuit judge. In these events, you will need a lawyer to file a motion for bond and go in front of a circuit court judge.

Whether your bond is set by a city judge, a magistrate, or a circuit court judge, the court uses various factors to decide whether you are a flight risk and/or whether you are a danger to society. Normally, a person would not be a flight risk if they have substantial ties to the local community. This may include family and/or a job. A person may be considered a flight risk if they are from out of state and have no local ties. The court may consider a person to be a danger to the community based upon the seriousness of the offense and the person’s prior record.

This does not necessarily mean that bond would or should be denied. Instead, it only means that the bond would be in a higher amount. If the magistrate or city judge sets a high bond, then a lawyer can file a motion with the circuit court asking the circuit court judge to reduce your bond. Therefore, if you or a loved one are in jail and a high bond has been set, a lawyer may be able to get the bond reduced.

Can You Help Me With My Bond Hearing?

If you have been charged and need a bond set or reduced, then we would be glad to consider taking your case. However, we do not take cases for the limited purpose of a bond hearing. We have found that taking a case for the limited purpose of a bond hearing usually has an unsatisfactory result. There are so many factors that we look at to properly handle a criminal case. Consequently, you can’t just take a case for a limited purpose.

One final word: While nobody wants to stay in jail, it is unwise to spend all your money on bond and have nothing left over to hire a lawyer.

Stay In Touch

A Gaffney criminal defense attorney from Parker & Bain, LLC, would be happy to represent you. We will let you know when to come to court after your first and second appearances. However, if you don’t let us know that your address or phone number has changed, we can’t get in touch with you.

Keep in contact by calling (864) 489-8128  or filling out our confidential online contact form.