Most Common Crimes in Spartanburg, SC
While there is a wide range of criminal charges on the books in South Carolina, some of the most common include theft, burglary, domestic violence, assault, and DUI. If you have been charged with a crime, you are facing serious legal and social consequences. Protect your rights from the start by consulting with an experienced Spartanburg criminal defense lawyer at Ryan Beasley Law.
Common Criminal Charges in Spartanburg
The circumstances of the case against you will be unique to your situation, but having a better understanding of the most common charges can help.
Theft and Burglary Charges
Theft charges apply to unlawfully taking someone else’s property. Theft is called larceny in South Carolina, and the charge breaks down into petit larceny when the value is under $2,000 and grand larceny when the value is over $2,000.
The charge of burglary, however, applies to the unlawful entrance of a structure in order to commit a crime, and it is classified by degree. For example, entering a structure that is not a dwelling to commit a crime that is a first offense is third-degree burglary. Breaking into a dwelling when an aggravating factor applies, such as night entry, however, is first-degree burglary.
Domestic Violence Charges
Domestic violence charges apply when the accused physically harms or attempts to physically harm someone with whom they share a close relationship. Credible threats also suffice. The relationship requirements include the following:
- Someone with whom the accused lives or lived with in the past
- Someone whom the accused is married to or was married to in the past
- Someone with whom the accused shares a child
There are four distinct levels of domestic violence charges.
Assault Charges
In South Carolina, charges that address assault, which is the threat of harm, and battery, which is unwanted physical contact, are combined into the offense of assault and battery. The charge has four levels that include:
- Simple assault addresses unlawfully injuring, attempting to injure, or credibly threatening to injure another person without causing significant injury.
- Second-degree assault addresses causing or attempting to cause moderate bodily injury or the nonconsensual touching of another person’s private parts.
- First-degree assault addresses unlawfully injuring another person by means that are likely to cause great bodily injury.
- Assault of a high and aggravated nature addresses causing great bodily injury or acting in a manner that is likely to cause death or serious bodily injury.
DUI Charges
The charge of DUI refers to driving with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 percent or higher or to having a lower BAC but exhibiting dangerous signs of impairment behind the wheel.
Reach Out to an Experienced Greenville Criminal Defense Attorney Today
The capable Greenville criminal defense lawyers at Ryan Beasley Law understand how stressful facing a criminal charge can be, and we’re committed to doing everything in our power to help. This includes building a strong defense on your behalf and guiding you smoothly forward toward a favorable resolution. We are on your side and here to help, so please don’t hesitate to contact us online or call us at 864-756-4204 today.