South Carolina sheriff faces prison time

Criminal charges are never good news. No matter how minor the alleged offense, being the subject of a criminal investigation can have a dramatic impact on your day-to-day life, your reputation and even your home environment. This in turn can put you under great emotional stress, which can in turn have a negative effect on your work and family life. Unfortunately, once you have been charged with a crime , it could still be a long time before the case is settled. All you can do is work toward getting your name cleared.

Meanwhile, you may be concerned about the potential penalties if you are convicted. These vary depending on the type and extent of the offense. In general, however, federal crimes often carry harsher sentences. In South Carolina, a former sheriff now faces a 30-month sentence, making him the third sheriff in the state to face prison time among nine who have been investigated or charged in recent years.

The long-standing law enforcement officer was found guilty of fraud, having been found to have falsified numerous police reports. It is believed the fraudulent activity was intended to assist a friend who ran a business that dealt with credit repair. The friend in question was sentenced to 33 months, also on a charge of fraud.

If you are facing federal charges and are not sure where to turn, you might benefit from the advice of an attorney. He or she can explain the charges against you and may be able to assist you with building your defense and working toward a favorable resolution to your trial.

Source: Myrtle Beach Online, “Yet another South Carolina sheriff’s career ends in shame,” Jeffrey Collins, March 26, 2015