Criminal Defense

Located in Columbia, South Carolina, the criminal defense attorneys at Strom Law Firm, L.L.C. defend individuals and corporations on criminal charges in all State and Federal Courts in South Carolina. Whether you have been accused of a misdemeanor, felony, or white-collar crime in State or Federal Court, or need a criminal appeal, we have a combination of awareness and experience to provide you with aggressive, effective criminal defense in any court. Our skilled criminal defense lawyers include a former United States Attorney, a former public defender, a former Assistant Attorney General and Richland County Assistant Solicitor, and a tax lawyer. Our familiarity with prosecutorial techniques and knowledge of criminal law ensures that you will receive a vigorous, well-planned criminal defense. Our firm also helps clients move beyond past mistakes with a criminal records expungement or a pardon. 

If a loved one has been arrested or you are dealing with some legal problems, and need important contact information or directions to jails, courts, sheriff's offices, etc. please use our county directory.

We understand the criminal defense client

A pending criminal investigation or arrest on criminal charges represents a personal, family, social, business, and financial crisis the likes of which most individuals have never experienced in their lives. Our criminal defense lawyers understand this important fact of our client's circumstance is the starting point in undertaking representation of those accused of a crime. When personal freedom, personal and family stability, economic survival, and reputation is at stake, people need a criminal defense attorney who understands their needs and will fight to protect their rights.

The goal of the criminal defense lawyers at Strom Law Firm is to provide that kind of legal representation. The Strom Law Firm's goal is to provide aggressive and proactive defense to every accused person. The Strom Law Firm philosophy is that this can only be done by maintaining the highest standards of professional competence combined with an understanding and concern for the rights and liberty of all individuals facing criminal investigation and arrest.

Minor charges can lead to major consequences

Driving under the influence, commonly known as DUI, and other traffic offenses can lead to major life altering consequences beyond the mere fine imposed for such a violation including loss or impairment of one's driver's license and increased insurance rates.

A conviction or bond forfeiture for simple possession of marijuana creates a criminal record, which requires an automatic driver's license suspension and can lead to loss of job opportunities, educational opportunities, military opportunities, and beyond.

A simple criminal domestic violence conviction is a criminal offense in South Carolina and, under current federal law, would destroy the right of the accused person to own or possess a firearm.

A conviction for a minor's possession of alcohol or a false I.D. results in an automatic driver's license suspension.

The Strom Law Firm encourages all individuals who receive traffic citations or warrants for what seem to be minor traffic or criminal offenses to consider seeking a free consultation with an attorney before giving up the right to contest the charge by jury trial or otherwise. The Strom Law Firm provides free consultation for these fmatters. It is not difficult to look in the yellow pages or on the internet to find a criminal defense lawyer in Columbia, S.C. Depending on your criminal charges, one may want to hire an experienced criminal defense attorney over the cheapest lawyer.

Significance

The initial interview with a prospective criminal client is very important. It should establish the basis for ensuring the trust and cooperation of the client, obtain the necessary information regarding the facts of the case, and explain the fees and expenses involved in the criminal representation and the terms under which the attorney will work.

Early in the attorney-client relationship, an experienced attorney should stress the importance of the accused's honesty and cooperation with the attorney in preparing the criminal defense and that the accused must inform the lawyer of all the relevant facts involved. The attorney-client privilege should be discussed with the client in order to encourage honesty and openness in the relationship. Counsel should also admonish the defendant not to discuss the case with anyone other than counsel or one of his or her representatives. This is particularly important if the defendant is in the detention center. An incarcerated defendant should never discuss the case with other inmates or visitors. Similarly, the defendant should be advised that all personal mail will be censored, and the defendant should assume that anything contained in a personal letter is being read by the jail authorities. Theoretically, this procedure does not apply to attorney-client correspondence, but it is advisable to proceed on the assumption that this correspondence is also being censored. Similarly, those accused of a crime should assume that all phone conversations from the jail are being monitored. Finally, the defendant should be admonished never to agree to any conversation or activity with police authorities without requesting the presence of counsel. Everyone accused of a crime in South Carolina has a right to an attorney.

During the first interview with a defendant, the criminal attorney may wish to discuss the elements of the crime against the defendant and the criminal penalties that attach to the particular crime involved. It is also advisable to discuss the criminal procedures usually followed in handling the type of criminal case under consideration. However, the law firm must be careful not to make specific promises or guarantees as to the result of his or her representation.

Depending on the client and the criminal attorney's personal preference, the attorney may want to discuss and settle the fee agreement and terms of employment before spending any great length of time investigating the facts of the case. In any event, the attorney will find it helpful to get the facts from the client as soon as possible. It may be helpful if counsel obtains a written copy of the defendant's criminal discovery including the defendant's statement of the facts of the case and relevant background information or a recording of the necessary factual and background information.

Presence of Third Persons

As a general rule, third persons should not be present during the attorney's interview with the defendant, particularly if the defendant will be discussing the facts concerning his or her alleged involvement in the offense. The presence of others may cause the defendant to feel ill at ease and be reluctant to honestly and openly discuss the case. More importantly, the presence of persons other than counsel and those persons engaged by counsel to aid in the defense may prevent the substance of communications made during the interview from being protected by the attorney-client privilege.

When your freedom, personal and family stability, economic survival, and reputation are at stake — you need a lawyer who understands that and who will fight to protect your interests.

Strom Law Firm is a place you can find that kind of lawyer.

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Being arrested or investigated for a crime can mean many things. What it does not mean is that you are guilty or that you have no rights. For experienced criminal defense attorneys who will fight for you whether the case involves a drug possession misdemeanor or felony drug trafficking and murder charges — call or contact us in Columbia, South Carolina, today.

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