Facing Criminal Charges? Start With the Facts.
Sharpe & Leventis, LLC represents people facing criminal charges in Columbia and throughout surrounding South Carolina communities.
We examine how the case began, what evidence the government is relying on, how that evidence was obtained, and what options are available based on the circumstances.
When you hire Sharpe & Leventis, your case receives direct involvement from experienced attorneys rather than being passed down the line.
Criminal Defense Cases We Handle
Our firm represents clients facing charges ranging from first-time offenses to serious felony allegations.
Assault Charges
Assault and battery cases can depend heavily on what happened before the incident, witness accounts, injuries, intent, and whether self-defense or another defense may apply.
Civil Rights Litigation
We represent clients pursuing civil claims involving unlawful arrests, excessive force, false imprisonment, and other police misconduct.
Domestic Violence
Domestic violence allegations can result in criminal charges as well as immediate consequences involving contact restrictions and personal relationships.
Drug Crimes
We represent clients facing allegations involving possession, distribution, trafficking, and other South Carolina drug offenses.
Marijuana Possession
Marijuana-related charges can raise questions about possession, searches, vehicle stops, ownership, and how the substance was discovered.
DUI
A DUI case can involve much more than a breath-test number. The traffic stop, field sobriety testing, arrest procedures, chemical testing, video evidence, and officer observations may all need to be reviewed.
Felony Crimes
Felony allegations can expose someone to substantial criminal penalties and require careful attention to the evidence, charging decisions, and defense strategy.
Juvenile Crimes
Juvenile cases involve a different court process and can affect a young person’s education, family, and future.
Property Crimes
Property-related charges may include allegations involving theft, burglary, shoplifting, property damage, fraud, or other offenses.
Underage DUI
South Carolina has specific rules affecting drivers under 21 accused of driving after consuming alcohol.
What Happens After an Arrest in South Carolina?
The exact process depends on the charge and the court handling the case, but understanding the major stages can make the situation less confusing.
Bond or First Appearance
After an arrest, one of the first issues may be whether the accused person can be released and what conditions will apply.
South Carolina magistrate and municipal judges handle bond proceedings in many criminal matters, including cases that may later proceed to General Sessions Court.
Preliminary Hearing in Qualifying Cases
For certain charges that are not tried in summary court, a defendant may have the right to request a preliminary hearing. The purpose is limited: the court determines whether sufficient probable cause exists for the case to continue.
Evidence, Motions, and Negotiations
A defense attorney can review available discovery, investigate the allegations, identify legal issues, communicate with the prosecution, and determine whether motions or negotiations are appropriate.
Trial
When a case proceeds to trial, the defense must be prepared to challenge the government’s evidence and present the case based on the facts and applicable law.
South Carolina’s Circuit Court includes the
Court of General Sessions, which handles the state’s more serious criminal cases. Magistrate and municipal courts handle many lower-level offenses within their jurisdiction.
What Can Matter When Building a Criminal Defense?
The defense strategy depends on the charge, but several issues frequently deserve close attention.
The Stop or Initial Police Encounter
Why did law enforcement approach, stop, detain, or arrest the person? Whether officers had the required legal basis can become important depending on the case.
Searches and Seizures
Drug, weapon, and property-crime cases often involve questions about where evidence was found and whether law enforcement had lawful authority to conduct the search.
Statements to Law Enforcement
What was said, when it was said, and under what circumstances can become significant.
Physical and Digital Evidence
Body-camera footage, surveillance video, photographs, phone records, forensic evidence, test results, and other records may support—or contradict—the allegations.
Witness Accounts
Witnesses do not always see or remember an event the same way. Their opportunity to observe, consistency, motives, and prior statements may matter.
Intent and the Elements of the Charge
The prosecution must prove the elements required for the particular offense. Sometimes the most important issue is not whether something happened, but whether the evidence proves the specific crime charged.
Local Knowledge. Trial-Focused Defense.
Pat Sharpe and Joe Leventis have deep roots in Columbia and bring experience from multiple sides of the courtroom, including criminal prosecution and civil litigation. That background gives the firm a practical perspective on how cases develop, how the opposing side may approach them, and what it takes to prepare for trial.
When your freedom and future are at stake, you work directly with attorneys who understand the community and take an active role in building your defense.
Serving Criminal Defense Clients Across the Midlands
Sharpe & Leventis represents clients facing criminal charges throughout:
Columbia, SC
Orangeburg, SC
Sumter, SC
West Columbia
Cayce
Irmo
Forest Acres
Hopkins
Eastover
Gaston
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I talk to the police if I have been accused of a crime?
You should be careful about discussing the allegations before understanding your legal rights and the circumstances of the investigation. Statements made to law enforcement may become evidence later. A criminal defense attorney can advise you about how to handle questioning and communication with investigators.
Do I need a lawyer if this is my first criminal charge?
A first offense can still carry serious consequences. Whether the charge involves DUI, assault, drugs, shoplifting, or another offense, it is worth understanding the evidence, possible penalties, and available options before making major decisions.
Can criminal charges be dismissed or reduced?
Sometimes, but no attorney can responsibly promise that result. The outcome depends on the charge, evidence, legal issues, prosecutorial decisions, and other circumstances. A defense attorney can identify weaknesses or issues that may affect how the case proceeds.
What is a preliminary hearing in South Carolina?
For qualifying General Sessions charges, a preliminary hearing is generally used to determine whether sufficient probable cause exists for the case to continue. It is not the criminal trial itself. South Carolina court rules establish procedures for requesting and conducting these hearings.
Will my criminal case have to go to trial?
Not necessarily. Criminal cases may be resolved in different ways depending on the evidence and circumstances. Some cases are dismissed, negotiated, or resolved through other procedures, while others proceed to trial.
Contact Our Columbia Law Firm for a Free Consultation Today.
The sooner you understand your options, the better prepared you can be. Talk with
Sharpe & Leventis, LLC about your case and what comes next.