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South Carolina lawmakers recently passed a new law designed to make it easier for people convicted of “low level” crimes to have their criminal record expunged after a period of good behavior, a decision hailed by South Carolina criminal defense lawyer Matt Bodman. “This new law gives people who have earned a second chance an...

In an effort to crack down on DUI accidents and offenders, state lawmakers in 2014 enacted a measure called Emma’s Law, which requires first-time DUI offenders with a blood-alcohol concentration of 0.15 or higher to have an ignition interlock installed at their own expense for at least six months. Repeat offenders convicted of DUI in...

Police departments and law enforcement agencies nationwide have come under fire in recent years. Time and again, incidents involving use of excessive force make national news. These events have seriously undermined public confidence in law enforcement agents across the nation. In response to these events, many agencies are now implementing the use of Body Worn...

When you are behind the wheel and encounter a DUI checkpoint, do you know what to do? Maybe it's a holiday weekend and police are out in force, stopping every car and looking for evidence of driving under the influence. You just came from a party and had a few drinks. Now what? If you...

South Carolina is considering reforming its life-without-parole laws, which could put it at the forefront of a nationwide effort to end the mass incarcerations that began with the 1980s' so-called "War on Drugs." While progress has been made in terms of reducing punishments for those facing shorter sentences, the fact remains that more than one-third...

U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions has made no secret of his passion for prosecuting drug cases. Under his authority, the U.S. Justice Department has focused more intently on federal drug offenses. Under the previous administration, many minor drug offenses were given low priority as prosecutors focused instead on a broader range of offenses. The departmental...

Lawmakers in South Carolina and throughout the country continue to make changes to marijuana laws. ABC15 reports the South Carolina Compassionate Care Act continues to work its way through the state legislature. The South Carolina Compassionate Care Alliance contends the measure would allow specific patients with debilitating conditions access to marijuana for medical purposes. Evolving statutes...

White collar crime involves non-violent acts committed for financial gain by government or business professionals in a position of authority. Usually called fraud or embezzlement, these crimes also include insider trading, tax evasion, trade secret theft, and public corruption.   Lawyers often call them “paper” cases due to the overwhelming amount of complex transactions involved. And, you could...

If you, a family member, or a loved one has been arrested, it is important to consult with a criminal defense attorney immediately. The sooner a Columbia criminal defense attorney becomes involved in your case, the better he or she will be able to protect your constitutional rights. Understanding the arrest process, and knowing what...