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Best Criminal Defense Lawyers Charleston, SC

Our Recommended Best Charleston Criminal Defense Lawyers

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Our goal is to connect people with the best local professionals. We scored Charleston criminal defense lawyers on more than 25 variables across five categories, and analyzed the results to give you a hand-picked list of the best.

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Providers

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Best Criminal Defense Lawyers Serving Charleston
165 King Street, Suite 2, Charleston, SC 29401

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Facebook
5.0 (24)
Google
5.0 (5)
Avvo
5.0 (5)

Why choose this provider?

Established in 2018, The Law Office of Sara A. Turner offers criminal defense services to residents of Charleston and the rest of South Carolina. The legal practice protects the rights of individuals who are facing criminal charges for drug possession and trafficking, shoplifting and burglary, DUI and other driving offenses, and murder. It also handles cases involving fake IDs and minors in possession tickets. Sara A. Turner has made over 400 court appearances while providing criminal defense to her clients.

Sara A. Turner has been the recipient of the Super Lawyers Rising Star recognition since 2022. She has previously served as the president of the Charleston Lawyers Club. Sara also has experience as a mentor through the Law Links Mentorship Program of the Charleston School of Law.

Best Criminal Defense Lawyers Serving Charleston
1495 Remount Road Suite B, North Charleston, SC 29406

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Google
5.0 (35)
Facebook
4.9 (13)
Avvo
5.0 (7)

Why choose this provider?

South Carolina Criminal Law Dayne Phillips works with people who have been accused or arrested for various types of criminal violations. It addresses the legal concerns of those in Charleston and across South Carolina facing claims of theft, drug crimes, illegal possession of firearms, DUI, and solicitation. The firm also deals with charges related to prostitution, domestic violence, and boating under the influence of drugs or alcohol. In some of its previous cases, it has successfully dismissed murder, criminal sexual conduct, and burglary charges.

Dayne Phillips is a criminal defense attorney who served as President of the South Carolina Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers in 2018. His name made it to the Columbia Business Monthly's Legal Elite for Criminal Law from 2018 to 2020. Phillips is a founding member of the South Carolina Actual Innocence Justice Center.

  • Drug Crimes
  • DWI/DUI

Best Criminal Defense Lawyers Serving Charleston
1004 Anna Knapp Boulevard, Mount Pleasant, SC 29464

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Google
4.9 (138)
Facebook
4.8 (27)
Avvo
5.0 (12)

Why choose this provider?

Futeral & Nelson, LLC, offers legal services to the people of Charleston. Since 2004, it has been providing support and representation to clients dealing with criminal cases, such as assault and battery, domestic violence, DUI, embezzlement, and theft. The firm guides defendants during preliminary hearings, trials, and bond court proceedings. It also handles cases involving family, personal injury, and employment law. Lead partners Stephan Futeral and Thomas Nelson are part of the National Trial Lawyers Top 100 Criminal Trial Lawyers.

  • Criminal Defense
  • Drug Crimes
  • DUI

Best Criminal Defense Lawyers Serving Charleston
116 Church St Fl 3, Charleston, SC 29401

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Google
5.0 (32)
Avvo
5.0 (24)

Why choose this provider?

Established by a former FBI Special Agent, city prosecutor, and municipal judge, Kulp & Elliott has been fighting for the rights of the people of Charleston and the rest of South Carolina since 1986. It represents individuals in need of criminal defense representation for charges such as domestic violence, assault and battery, DUI, and drug-related offenses. Founding attorney Timothy Kulp was chosen by his peers as the Charleston Super Lawyer for DUI Cases in South Carolina in 2008 and from 2010 to 2014.

Timothy Clay Kulp is a criminal defense attorney who earned his J.D. from the University of South Carolina in 1978. He is a member of the National College of DUI Defense. Kulp is board-certified in criminal law by the National Board of Legal Specialty Certification in Criminal Trial Advocacy.

Timothy Clay Kulp is a criminal defense attorney who earned his J.D. from the University of South Carolina in 1978. He is a member of the National College of DUI Defense. Kulp is board-certified in criminal law by the National Board of Legal Specialty Certification in Criminal Trial Advocacy.

Best Criminal Defense Lawyers Serving Charleston
455.5 King Street, Charleston, SC 29403

Expertise.com Rating

Why choose this provider?

Young & Young has handled criminal defense cases for residents of Charleston since 2012. Its trial lawyers use their knowledge of both sides of criminal cases to represent clients charged with allegations. They help defendants navigate through the South Carolina justice system and investigate to come up with an adequate argument that would result in acquittal or reduction of charges. Young & Young deals with cases involving theft, weapon violations, drunk driving and license suspension, drug charges, and violent offenses.

Adam Young has been recognized among the top attorneys in the community by Super Lawyers Rising Stars, Martindale-Hubbell, and the National Trial Lawyers. He serves Folly Beach as a prosecutor, where he has gained valuable courtroom exposure. One of Adam’s pro bono activities is serving as a legal advisor for Hunting for Healing Inc.

Best Criminal Defense Lawyers Serving Charleston
3443 Rivers Ave., North Charleston, SC 29405

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Google
4.9 (15)
Facebook
5.0 (5)

Why choose this provider?

Led by a lawyer who has been recognized by the American Institute of Criminal Law Attorneys, Apostolou Law Firm accommodates those who need criminal defense representation in Charleston, South Carolina. It develops legal strategies for those who are facing charges for drunk driving offenses, theft-related crimes, illegal firearm possession, and drug offenses. Its legal team also handles major felonies and helps its clients by conducting thorough investigations on their behalf and striving for the best possible outcome for their case.

Alex Apostolou established his own law office in 2005, with a focus on criminal defense and personal injury. He has previously served as an assistant solicitor for the Ninth Judicial Circuit in Charleston County, wherein he gained prosecution experience in general sessions and juvenile courts.

  • Drug Crimes
  • DWI/DUI
  • Theft & Burglary

Best Criminal Defense Lawyers Serving Charleston
105 Wappoo Creek Dr Ste 1A, Charleston, SC 29412

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.8 (19)
Facebook
4.8 (19)

Why choose this provider?

Led by a former prosecutor and public defender, the Law Office of Grant B. has been representing individuals seeking legal defense in Charleston and throughout South Carolina since 2014. It works on various charges, such as burglary and arson, assault and battery, embezzlement and business fraud, traffic violations, and armed robbery. It also fights for the rights of people facing allegations from the FBI, DEA, and ATF. Additionally, the law firm handles expungements and pardons, PCR post-conviction relief, and probation revocation cases.

Grant B. Smaldone is a criminal defense attorney who obtained his J.D. from the Charleston School of Law. He is a member of the National and South Carolina Associations of Criminal Defense Lawyers. Smaldone is admitted to practice law before the state and federal courts in Eastern South Carolina.

Best Criminal Defense Lawyers Serving Charleston
222 West Coleman Boulevard, Mount Pleasant, SC 29464

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
5.0 (19)
Avvo
5.0 (7)
FindLaw
5.0 (3)

Why choose this provider?

The Loignon Law Firm has successfully defended a client facing a criminal charge for possessing a stolen pistol. Serving Charleston and across South Carolina, it represents teens and college students who have been arrested for juvenile crimes like skipping school, running away from home, drugged and drunk driving, and incorrigibility. The practice also takes on other criminal defense matters involving domestic violence, assault and battery, theft, drug offenses, robbery, and kidnapping. It aggressively represents defendants during parole and bond hearings, helping them reduce or prevent penalties.

For over five years, Michael Loignon worked as an attorney at the Charleston County Public Defender’s Office, where he advocated for the rights of over 1,000 defendants charged with general session felonies and misdemeanors. He has tried nearly 20 cases to jury verdict.

Best Criminal Defense Lawyers Serving Charleston
125-A Wappoo Creek Drive, Ste. 101-A, Charleston, SC 29412

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
5.0 (178)
Thumbtack
5.0 (3)
Avvo
5.0 (1)

Why choose this provider?

With a sole managing member who holds NHTSA DWI detection and standardized field sobriety testing certification, John W. Molony Law Firm, LLC, focuses on representing drivers in Charleston and across South Carolina who have been arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. The firm fights for the rights of clients by reviewing traffic stops and field sobriety tests to locate any police errors. It also guides defendants during plea bargains and takes on different types of felony and misdemeanor cases.

John Molony received his J.D. from Mercer University, Walter F. George School of Law. He is admitted to practice in all South Carolina state courts. He also maintains affiliations with the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and the NORML Criminal Defense Section.

  • Criminal charges
  • Domestic Violence
  • DUI

Best Criminal Defense Lawyers Serving Charleston
525 Folly Rd Ste 208, Charleston, SC 29412

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.0 (30)
Avvo
5.0 (2)
Yelp
1.0 (1)

Why choose this provider?

Vaux Marscher Berglind, PA, advocates for the rights of people in Charleston and throughout South Carolina facing criminal charges. Its team provides comprehensive legal representation to maintain the good reputation of clients and prevent mandatory penalties, such as imprisonment and large fines. The firm's attorneys work closely and dig deeply into the details surrounding clients' arrests to protect their liberty, permanent records, and finances. Vaux Marscher Berglind has been in the industry for over five decades.

Compare Best Charleston Criminal Defense Lawyers

NameExpertise RatingAddressPromotionsLearn more
The Law Office of Sara A. Turner
165 King Street, Suite 2, Charleston, SC 29401
South Carolina Criminal Law Dayne Phillips
1495 Remount Road Suite B, North Charleston, SC 29406
Futeral & Nelson, LLC
1004 Anna Knapp Boulevard, Mount Pleasant, SC 29464
Kulp Law Firm
116 Church St Fl 3, Charleston, SC 29401
Young & Young
455.5 King Street, Charleston, SC 29403
Apostolou Law Firm
3443 Rivers Ave., North Charleston, SC 29405
Law Office of Grant B. Smaldone
105 Wappoo Creek Dr Ste 1A, Charleston, SC 29412
Loignon Law Firm
222 West Coleman Boulevard, Mount Pleasant, SC 29464
John W. Molony Law Firm, LLC
125-A Wappoo Creek Drive, Ste. 101-A, Charleston, SC 29412
Vaux Marscher Berglind, PA
525 Folly Rd Ste 208, Charleston, SC 29412

Disclaimer:  Consumers utilizing Expertise.com are free to communicate and contract with any lawyer they choose. Expertise.com is not involved in the confidential attorney-client relationship. Featured lawyers pay a reasonable advertising cost to market their legal services with Expertise.com and must meet similar selection criteria as other lawyers. All cases are different. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

Charleston, SC Criminal Defense FAQs

  • What is the non-emergency contact number for the local police station in Charleston, South Carolina?

    The Charleston County Consolidated Dispatch can be reached at (843) 743-7200 or the Charleston Police Department at (843) 577-7434.

  • Where can I get a copy of police reports for incidents related to my case in Charleston, South Carolina?

    To obtain a police report from the Charleston Police Department, call (843) 577-7434 and press 1 for Records. You can also visit the station at 180 Lockwood Boulevard. Please be informed that the police report costs $5.

  • How do criminal defense attorneys help juvenile adjudicated delinquents in Charleston?

    Charleston attorneys help minors who have committed acts of crime by investigating the charges and preparing for negotiations on their behalf. They also represent them in adjudication and sentencing hearings, and prepare them for in-custody or home evaluations. Lastly, they also put in effort in making sure that the mistakes the minor did do not follow them into the future and ruin their chances of finding a good home and a job.

  • Can an offender's criminal records be expunged in Charleston?

    Here are some things that may qualify an offender for an expunction in Charleston:

    • They were found not guilty of their charges during the trial
    • The conviction for the crime they committed carries a maximum sentence of 30 days and/or a $1,000 fine
    • Their charges were dropped by the prosecution
    • They were a first-time offender for a crime that is non-violent
  • Is money laundering in Charleston prosecuted under federal law?

    It depends on whether or not the transactions went beyond Charleston and into a different state, though it often falls under federal jurisdiction because it is a direct threat to the United States tax system. Still, the penalties depend on the amount of money laundered within a one-year time period.

    • Up to 5 years in prison for transactions between $300 and $20,000
    • Up to 10 years in prison for transactions between $20,000 and $100,000
    • Up to 20 years in prison for transactions above $100,000
  • How important is it to get a criminal defense attorney in Charleston?

    Your freedom and your future depend on the outcome of the case you're facing. Personally acquiring the aid of a Charleston attorney may help turn the conviction in your favor or maybe even have the charges dropped entirely. Furthermore, there are pieces of evidence that deteriorate over time and your attorney stands a better chance of helping you win if they can get a hold of these as soon as possible.

  • Can you be arrested for possessing marijuana in Charleston?

    Yes. Simple possession of marijuana in Charleston (or being caught with 28 grams of pot with you) is punishable by a jail time of 30 days and getting fined between $100 and $200. Offenders caught for the first time may have their charges reduced by entering a pre-trial intervention or drug abuse program.