Florence SC Criminal Law Blog

Police are searching for two individuals they believe are responsible for vandalizing school buses in Loris, South Carolina. The damage, including slashed tires, broken windows and spray paint defacement, is estimated to be in the range of $10,000. The two alleged vandals were caught on surveillance cameras, which police hope will lead to identification and criminal charges.

Vandalism is typically thought of as criminal damage directed toward property without the consent of the property's owner. In order for prosecutors to bring a successful charge against an accused vandal it must be shown that the accused willfully damaged the property. The police take vandalism seriously, as they do all property crimes. Depending on the amount of damage caused, vandalism can constitute either a misdemeanor or a felony.

Two University of Southern California graduate students from China were shot and killed during what police are claiming was an attempted carjacking or robbery. Gunshots rang out in the early morning hours shattering the window of the students' car.

While one student died in the car, the other was able to exit the vehicle and run to a residence to knock on a door. It is unclear whether anyone answered the door before the man collapsed and died. According to police, the suspect fled on foot and no description of that individual has been released. When criminal charges are brought against a person for a violent crime like this case, the stakes are high. Potential prison sentences can be long.

The Florence County, South Carolina's Sherriff's Office alleges that blood evidence led them to arrest a man they believe broke into a Florence business two years earlier. Criminal charges have been brought against the man for burglary, a second degree felony in South Carolina that carries a penalty of up to 15 years in prison.

When one faces charges for property crimes, the stakes are high. Whether a misdemeanor or a felony, the punishments can be severe, with the possibility for long prison sentences and large fines.

I bet we can all think of a time or two where we have done something wrong because we didn't think about the possible consequences. Now there is a bill that the South Carolina House just approved that will allow some people who break the law a second chance to get their life back on track.

The House approved the bill that would allow nonviolent offenders to participate in a pretrial intervention program more than once, but would ultimately leave the decision to the solicitors. Right now, first time offenders can participate in a diversionary program from court. If a person successfully completes the program, their record is cleared.