Being charged with a drug crime can be devastating. Drug charges are taken very seriously in South Carolina and can have a dramatic impact on your future. If you are convicted, that mark remains on your record, affecting your professional prospects, housing options and even the severity of future charges.

Furthermore, family and friends may be unsure how to react to you after hearing that you are facing charges. As a result you may feel isolated and unsure what to do. However, it is important not to give up hope as a charge does not guarantee a conviction. The next step is to prepare your defense and be ready to cast doubt upon the allegations against you.

As long as there is reasonable doubt of your guilt, then you are considered innocent. By providing that doubt, for example, by means of an alibi, you hinder the court in being able to find you guilty. Another option is to challenge the procedure that was followed surrounding your arrest. If anything was done incorrectly, it could invalidate the charges against you.

Of course, it is a lot to think about and face alone. For this reason, an attorney can often be very helpful. He or she may be able to assist you in building your defense and searching for issues in the way your case has been handled. Our page on drug charges also has information on the steps you can take when charged with such an offense. By acting quickly and proceeding with the correct guidance, you may be able to avoid conviction altogether.