Criminal Defense Attorney in Myrtle Beach

Myrtle Beach, SC Criminal Defense

Being charged with or investigated for a criminal offense can be life-changing, but you do not have to go through the process alone. If you have been arrested or are being investigated for a crime, it is essential to act quickly. Whether a misdemeanor or a felony, all charges could follow you for the rest of your life. One of the first steps you should strongly consider is retaining an experienced criminal defense attorney who can guide you through the process and protect your rights. Hiring an experienced criminal defense attorney with the experience you need can make all the difference in your case's outcome.

We represent clients on various cases from our home base office in Myrtle Beach, SC, as a Criminal Defense Firm based out of Horry & Georgetown County.

We are Your Local, Experienced Criminal Defense Attorneys.

When searching for a criminal defense attorney in the Myrtle Beach area, your legal counsel must be familiar with the legal landscape where your charges were brought. Grooms and Thomas, LLC has two experienced attorneys from the Myrtle Beach area who have devoted their entire careers to practicing law in Horry and Georgetown counties. Our attorneys are familiar with the nuances and differences in the charges and court systems in Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach, Surfside Beach, and more. This knowledge cannot be learned in a book; it comes from years of practice and real criminal law courtroom experience. Grooms and Thomas, LLC is proud of the results they have achieved for their clients over the years. Combined, our attorneys have 20 years of experience representing clients charged with everything from driving under the influence to charges carrying life in prison.

If you have been arrested, you should take your charge seriously—even minor misdemeanors and traffic infractions can have lasting effects. Call Grooms and Thomas, LLC today and see the difference for yourself at 843 444-5702

Advantages of Having a Criminal Defense Lawyer

When you are charged or being investigated for a criminal charge, the most important asset you can obtain is to employ an experienced criminal defense attorney. Based in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, Grooms and Thomas, LLC has a team of criminal defense attorneys with 20 years combined experience in criminal law and representing clients facing municipal, juvenile, and serious state general sessions court charges.

The knowledgeable team at Grooms and Thomas, LLC will thoroughly evaluate and investigate all aspects of your case. We understand that this can be a scary and life-altering experience, so we aim to help you understand and walk you through each step of the court process. In every case, our mission is to achieve the best possible outcome for our clients. Whether that means dismissal, drug or other treatment, or searching for an avenue to keep your record clean, we will do all we can to realize your goals.

Whether you have been arrested or contacted by law enforcement as part of a criminal investigation, the first call you should make as soon as possible should be to a criminal defense attorney. You may think you have nothing to hide and that you can handle things on your own. That may be true, but being involved in a criminal case is an adversarial process, and you should know your rights before you make any decisions.

Law Enforcement is legally allowed to lie to you to elicit information, so let us speak for you. Contact your local Myrtle Beach-based criminal defense attorneys today at 843 444-5702 for a free consultation.

Why Should You Hire an Experienced Criminal Defense Attorney?

Being charged with a criminal offense can have a negative rippling effect on your life. It can affect your family, your job, and, most importantly, your freedom. Our legislature has wisely implemented many programs for first-time offenders that could be available and beneficial in your case. Criminal convictions can last a lifetime, so knowing your options from a local Myrtle Beach-based criminal defense attorney is essential before you go to court. Call us at 843-444-5702 for a free consultation so we can show you how we can help you fight to keep your record clean.

First-Time Offender

One of the most common mistakes I see made is when first-time offenders attempt to navigate the court process by themselves. It seemed like a good idea at the time: you go to court on your own, maybe pay a fine, and the case is over. But, unfortunately, I get calls regularly from everyday people who pled guilty or were found guilty of a relatively minor charge. Now they cannot get a job because their criminal record still follows them years later.

It is much easier to face your difficulties at the time of the charge, and often minor charges can be dismissed for lack of evidence, quickly dropped by the prosecutor law enforcement agency after community service, or diverted by the Courts to one of many programs that will allow the charge to be dismissed and expunged from your record.

At Grooms and Thomas, LLC, our experienced and skilled criminal defense attorneys understand the law, rules, and procedures of each court in their area, including how to properly address the court and negotiate with the prosecuting agencies to realize your best possible outcome.

Misdemeanors vs. Felony Charges

Most people will think that a misdemeanor is not as severe as a felony, but that is not always true. It depends on the person and their circumstances. For some misdemeanor charges, the short-term punishments and long-term consequences can be just as severe as a felony conviction. For example, a DUI conviction can lead to losing your driver’s license and cause your insurance to skyrocket for years after your case is disposed of, whereas you could plead to a lesser felony charge and pay a fine of a few hundred dollars.

It is true: the long-term effects of the felony will likely be more severe, depending on your line of work. However, the point is that any criminal charge should be treated as serious; they all come with the potential for long-term consequences.

Did you know that any charge that carries over a year in prison is considered a felony in the federal court system? That means that while a charge may be a misdemeanor in South Carolina State Court, a conviction could lead to you losing your gun rights federally.

While there may be a difference in the severity of punishment, both misdemeanor and felony charges can have a lasting, negative impact on your life.

DUI Offenses in Myrtle Beach, SC

Whether you are from the Grand Strand or on vacation, we are your local experienced DUI attorneys. Being arrested for a DUI offense is frightening, and navigating the courts and potential consequences can be overwhelming—but we are here to help.

Grooms and Thomas, LLC is based in Myrtle Beach, SC, and our attorneys have 20 years of combined experience in DUI law. We know the law, the courts, procedures, and the parties involved that will determine the potential outcome of your case.

The cost associated with a DUI arrest and conviction is considerable. While hiring an attorney may not be something you planned for financially, hiring an experienced Myrtle Beach DUI attorney can save you thousands of dollars in court and insurance costs.

Hiring the DUI attorneys at Grooms and Thomas, LLC ensures that you will be represented professionally and zealously throughout the legal process. Our attorneys provide professional and compassionate representation for our clients in the following DUI-related areas:

• Driving Under the Influence Charges – South Carolina’s DUI laws are complex and highly technical, and the consequences of a conviction are severe and long-lasting.

• Driving with an Unlawful Alcohol Concentrate – This charge is similar to a DUI charge and is based on what you blew in the BAC room.

• Administrative Hearings – When you are charged with a DUI and refuse to provide a breath analysis, your license will be suspended. However, we can request an administrative hearing within the first 30 days after the arrest, with the goal being to have your license reinstated.

• Summary Court and Traffic-Related Offenses – often, a DUI charge comes with traffic or other misdemeanor charges that are resolved in our summary courts.