The police are often eager to catch those they believe are responsible for a violent crime. Unfortunately, many times these accused individuals are arrested and charged without clear evidence that they committed the offense. For this reason it is imperative accused individuals obtain a criminal defense that will fight for their freedom. A recent arrest in Myrtle Beach serves as an example.
There, a man has been detained for what police claim was his attempted murder of another man in 2011. The criminal offense in question occurred when the victim was stabbed in his apartment. The victim was unable to provide much information about the assailant, but a witness claims the accused individual, a friend of hers, started acting crazy when he saw the victim in her room. She claims the accused then grabbed a knife and stabbed the victim.
Criminal charges for violent state crimes carry severe penalties. In South Carolina, a conviction for attempted murder is a felony carrying a penalty of up to 30 years in prison. This lengthy sentence can ruin an individual's life and life upon completion of the sentence can be very difficult. After release, a convicted felon will have difficulty finding work and a place to live. For these reasons, proper representation is important to fight the criminal charges.
In the Myrtle Beach attempted murder case, an experienced defense team has many options. The defense can focus on the victim's failure to provide information about the assailant's identity. There could also be questions as to whether the victim was attacking the assailant, thus justifying self-defense. Also, a defense attorney could probe the relationship between the accused and the witness to see if there was any animosity that would lead the witness to point the finger at the accused.
For a prosecutor to obtain a conviction, guilt must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt. This is a high standard that should be difficult to satisfy. For this reason, it may be possible for an experienced attorney to obtain dismissed charges, reduced charges, or a decreased sentence. Therefore, the choice of a criminal defense is one that is not to be taken lightly.
Source: WMBF News, "2011 attempted murder suspect faces charges," Feb. 13, 2013
No Comments
Leave a comment