Sanders & Nettles, LLC has a strong record of success defending our clients who are accused of serious crimes including allegation of murder, manslaughter and involuntary manslaughter. If you've been charged with murder, manslaughter, involuntary manslaughter or vehicular manslaughter in South Carolina, you are facing a lengthy prison sentence. You need the help of skillful, committed South Carolina manslaughter defense attorneys like the ones at Sanders & Nettles. With decades of experience in South Carolina law, the partners in our firm have decades of experience defending homicide cases. We will provide an aggressive defense and work to get the best possible outcome to your case.
Any murder or manslaughter charge is a felony charge that carries significant prison time, other steep penalties and in some cases, the possibility of the death penalty. However, the seriousness of these charges means that judges and juries are usually serious about their duty to make sure the case is proven beyond a reasonable doubt. Flaws in the case against you or violations of your rights could invalidate your charges. Many defenses and mitigating circumstances may be available, depending on the circumstances. At Sanders & Nettles, we promise to press aggressively for a dismissal or reduction in charges if we find any flaws in your case, build the best case we can for you and stand by you during the entire criminal process.
South Carolina law defines murder as the killing of a person with malice aforethought. That is, the charge of murder is reserved for intentional killings; unplanned killings are usually charged as manslaughter. Aiding and abetting murder, in many cases, carries the same punishment as murder itself. The following is a list of murder-related charges in South Carolina and their penalties:
- Murder (including poisoning and stabbing): A mandatory minimum of 30 years in prison, life in prison or the death penalty.
- Manslaughter (unlawful killing without malice): Two to 30 years in prison.
- Assault and battery with intent to kill: Up to 20 years in prison.
- Involuntary manslaughter (killing caused by reckless disregard for safety): Up to five years in prison.
- Homicide by child abuse: Ten years to life, depending on circumstances.
- Lynching in the first degree: Five to 40 years in prison.
- Reckless homicide by motor vehicle or boat: Up to 10 years in prison, a fine of $1,000 to $5,000, and a five-year driver's license or boating license suspension.
If you're facing murder or manslaughter charges, you're facing the loss of your freedom, your financial security, your family and your reputation. With the stakes so high, you should call the South Carolina criminal defense attorneys at Sanders & Nettles as soon as possible. Our attorneys believe everyone, no matter what the charge, deserves a fair trial and a committed defense. We promise to fight to reduce or eliminate your charges, reduce your penalties or put you in the best position possible at trial.
Call Sanders & Nettles today for a free consultation on your Charleston murder case!