as Deputy Solicitor
25 Years as Former Prosecutor
Facing Criminal Charges in Orangeburg, SC? Together We Can Fight For Your Freedom!
If you’re facing criminal charges, you need a criminal defense attorney in Orangeburg, SC, with over 25 years of experience handling criminal cases.
You need a criminal defense lawyer who understands the art of jury trials and plea negotiations.
What you want to avoid is a criminal defense attorney who meddles in other areas of law.
Here’s why.
When your reputation and freedom are at stake, you need an attorney who thoroughly understands South Carolina criminal law.
Should your case go to court, you want someone who will protect your rights, build a strong defense, and have the necessary trial experience.
It’s for these reasons that people rely on Tommy Scott.
People select Tommy Scott as their Orangeburg criminal defense attorney because:
- He has more than 25 years of experience practicing criminal law.
- He served as Deputy Solicitor for Orangeburg, Dorchester, and Calhoun counties for 15 years.
- He has handled more than 10,000 cases on behalf of the State and has tried more than 100 cases to verdict.
- He has experience and training as a criminal defense trial lawyer based in Columbia, SC.
- He is well-versed in South Carolina criminal law and trial techniques.
- He is familiar with the local courtrooms and court personnel.
Experienced Orangeburg Criminal Defense Attorney
As you can see, Tommy Scott is an experienced criminal defense attorney with the knowledge and experience required to defend you.
He’s also a former prosecutor.
Hiring an attorney who’s a former prosecutor and deputy solicitor means you get knowledge and experience that an attorney straight out of law school does not have.
When you retain a former prosecutor turned criminal defense lawyer, you get someone with:
- Extensive courtroom experience that includes jury trials, negotiating strategies, legal research, and motion arguments;
- Insight into how prosecutors handle criminal cases, from the investigation and arrest to plea or trial;
- Familiarity with the court system and personnel; and
- The respect of their peers in the legal community.
DID YOU KNOW?
CASES WE
HANDLE
- Assault & Battery
- Attempted Murder
- Armed Robbery
- Arson
- Breach of Peace
- Breach of Trust
- Breaking into a Motor Vehicle
- Burglary
- Carjacking
- Criminal Domestic Violence
- Child Endangerment
- Contributing to Delinquency of a Minor
- Failure to Register as Sex Offender
- Failure to Return Rented Objects
- Financial Identity Fraud
- Forgery
- Fraudulent Check
- Leaving the Scene of an Accident
- Malicious Injury to Personal Property
- Malicious Injury to Real Property
- Manslaughter
- Murder
- Obstruction of Justice
- Obtaining Goods by False Pretenses
- Petty Larceny
- Pointing or Presenting a Firearm
- Possession of Stolen Vehicle
- Public Disorderly Conduct
- Receiving Stolen Goods
- Reckless Driving
- Reckless Homicide
- Resisting Arrest
- Shoplifting
- Simple Assault
- Strong Arm Robbery
- Grand Larceny
- Habitual Traffic Offender
- Indecent Exposure
- Kidnapping
- Trespassing
- Unlawful Carrying of a Pistol
- Driving Under the Influence (DUI)
- Driving with Unlawful Alcohol
- Concentration (DUAC)
- Boating Under the Influence (BUI)
- Flying Under the Influence (FUI)
- Felony DUI
- Implied Consent Hearings
- (Administrative Hearings for DUI)
FAQ’s About Criminal Law
in South Carolina
1. Which Court Is My Case In?
If you are charged with a crime that carries 30 days or less (with exceptions like DUI or driving under suspension), your case will most likely be heard in:
- Magistrate court if you were arrested in the county outside of city limits, or
- Municipal court if you were arrested within city limits.
2. Do All Criminal Cases Go to Trial?
Why?
You cannot know if you should accept a plea offer or elect to have a jury trial unless you understand the strengths and weaknesses in the evidence against you.
Was there a constitutional violation that may result in excluding key pieces of evidence? Will the state’s witnesses be available? Can those witnesses be impeached? Is the state’s evidence admissible? If so, does the state’s evidence hold up under examination by a defense expert?
3. What are the Possible Outcomes in a Criminal Case in SC?
Your case could be resolved with:
- A dismissal,
- A dismissal of some charges in exchange for a plea to others,
- A pretrial diversion program or first-time offender program,
- A plea to time served or a fine,
- A plea to prison time suspended to probation,
- A plea to prison time,
- A trial resulting in an acquittal,
- A trial resulting in a conviction, or
- A trial resulting in a conviction on a lesser offense.
If you are convicted of the charges, the case may then continue with appeals or post-conviction relief proceedings.
4. What Should I Do if the Police Want to Talk to Me?
If the police want to talk to you about a crime, there are three possibilities:
- They may consider you a witness, but be aware that witnesses can become defendants, and police may not always be truthful. They might also threaten witnesses with arrest.
- They may suspect you committed a crime but lack evidence to charge you. In such a case, speaking to them could lead to providing an inconsistent statement that might serve as probable cause.
- If they believe you committed a crime and plan to arrest you, speaking to them could result in giving an inconsistent statement that may be used against you at trial.
In such scenarios, you should inform the police that you want to speak to your criminal defense attorney before making any statements.
5. How the Scott Law Firm Can Help You?
We don’t “dabble” in criminal defense. We represent people who are accused of crimes, and every day may be a new experience, a new angle for defending a client, or a deeper understanding of criminal defense and trial practice in SC’s criminal courts.
Tommy Scott is a seasoned criminal defense attorney who uses his vast knowledge and experience to help ordinary people whose reputations and freedoms are at stake.
When you retain the Scott Law Firm we will:
- Meet with you – at our office or the jail if you are incarcerated – to learn about your case and answer your questions,
- File motions to set or reduce bond,
- Obtain all evidence the State plans to use against you through motions for discovery and motions to compel,
- Independently investigate the allegations using subpoenas, court orders, FOIA requests, and private investigators as needed,
- Review all evidence, research all legal issues, and file any appropriate motions based on the facts of your case,
- Help you locate and retain expert witnesses or investigators as needed,
- Interview all potential witnesses, including the alleged victim, when appropriate, and
- Do everything legally and ethically possible to get your charges dismissed, negotiate a favorable outcome, or try your case to a jury of your peers.
6. How Do Criminal Defense Lawyers Get Paid?
- The seriousness of the charges,
- The complexity of the facts and circumstances of the case,
- The amount of time that will be required to prepare the case for trial,
- The likelihood that the case will go to trial, be dismissed, or be resolved through a plea agreement, and
- The ability and experience of the criminal defense attorney.
Clients Have Said
The Rules of Professional Conduct require disclosure that this is a “Testimonial” about the attorney. Please be aware that any result achieved on behalf of one client in one matter does not necessarily indicate similar results can be obtained for other clients.
I had just got into some trouble and god sent me Tommy and knew I needed him, which was a miracle. He is G R E A T. This man saved my life. Without him, I was nothing. He made sure I was ok. He kept me and my family updated and he came and visited me. Tell him about your problem or issue, and he will do his job and make it right. He kept my head up and I knew I would see better days. This man is great and will also come through. One call, that’s all !!! I can’t thank him ENOUGH !!
Mr. Scott is among the most caring, compassionate, and knowledgeable lawyers I have met thus far. He goes above and beyond for his clients and checks every form of the law and guidelines to help at all times. The day I met Mr. Scott and hired him for a legal matter was one of the best decisions I have ever made. I have no regrets or second thoughts here. If you’re looking for a lawyer who’s not gone play around and get the job done, stop here because he’s your man. Thank you, Mr. Scott, for everything. You gained a client and family for life💚
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Criminal Defense Attorney?
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