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Need a Criminal Defense Attorney in Lexington, SC?
If you have been charged with a crime in Lexington, SC, you probably have a lot of questions and concerns about what is going to happen next.
Questions like…
- Who should I call?
- Am I going to prison?
- Will this be on my permanent record?
- Can an attorney get my criminal charges dismissed?
One thing is certain – you need an experienced criminal defense attorney in Lexington, SC, who can answer your questions, investigate the allegations against you, negotiate with your prosecutor, and try your case to a jury if it is not dismissed or resolved favorably.
If you have been charged with a crime in the Midlands area, call SC criminal defense lawyer J. Bradley Baker immediately – we will get your case dismissed, negotiate a resolution that is acceptable to you, or try your case to a jury.
Criminal defense lawyer J. Bradley Baker cares about his clients and takes criminal defense seriously.
We understand what is at stake when you are charged with a crime, including the potential for a permanent criminal record, prison time, job loss, and the impact this will have on your family.
When you call our office, we will:
- Meet with you to discuss your case and answer your questions,
- Request a jury trial when appropriate,
- Request a preliminary hearing/ probable cause hearing when appropriate,
- Investigate the allegations against you,
- Obtain and review all evidence the state intends to use against you including incident reports, videos, and witness statements,
- Identify and interview both prosecution witnesses and potential defense witnesses,
- Use all means available to gather additional information and evidence that may help your case including subpoenas, FOIA requests, discovery requests, supplemental discovery requests, and motions to compel,
- Retain experts when needed for consultation or testimony regarding any complex issues in your case like forensic or psychological issues,
- Negotiate with the prosecutor or officer to get your case dismissed or to reduce your charges to a plea offer that is acceptable to you, and
- Try your case to a jury if the prosecution does not dismiss your case or make an offer that is acceptable to you.
Put Thirty (30) Years of Experience to Work for You
Why Should I Hire a Criminal Defense Attorney?
The state has a trained attorney working to convict you of the crime you have been accused of, with the full support of the government including the police department, sheriff’s department, SLED, solicitor’s office investigators, assistant solicitors, paralegals, and other support staff.
You also need a trained advocate working for you to get your case dismissed, win your case at trial, or minimize the consequences of a conviction – as soon as possible after you have been charged with a crime.
- DUI defense
- Drug charges,
- Criminal sexual conduct charges,
- Violent crimes,
- Domestic violence,
- Municipal court charges in Lexington or Columbia, SC,
- Magistrate court charges in Lexington or Columbia, SC, and
- General Sessions-level charges in Lexington or Columbia, SC.
Learn more about criminal charges in Lexington, SC:
Magistrate and Municipal Court Charges in Lexington, SC
If your offense carries a maximum penalty of 30 days or less, your case is most likely in the magistrate (county) or municipal (city) court.
If you have been charged with a crime in the magistrate or municipal court in Lexington, SC, you must act quickly to protect your rights.
You will have an “initial court date,” which could be as soon as a week after your arrest, at which you must appear unless your attorney requests a jury trial or gets a continuance.
If your attorney requests a jury trial on your behalf, you will not need to appear at the initial court date, and you will be notified later of the date of your roster meeting or pretrial conference and trial date.
Jury Trials in Lexington, SC
If you are charged in the magistrate or municipal court in Lexington, SC, you or your attorney must request a jury trial in writing.
Once you have submitted your jury trial request, your case will go to the jury trial roster and you should not have any court appearances until your case is scheduled for a roster meeting or pretrial conference.
If your case is in General Sessions Court, you do not need to submit a written jury trial request, and, if your case is not dismissed or if a plea offer is not accepted, your case will automatically be placed on the trial roster.
General Sessions Offenses in Lexington, SC
If your offense carries a maximum penalty greater than 30 days (with some exceptions like driving under suspension and driving under the influence charges), your case will most likely be in Lexington County, SC’s General Sessions Court.
You may have a series of “roll call” dates, beginning with your “first appearance” and then “follow-up appearance” dates, and you may also have a preliminary hearing date if you or your attorney requested a probable cause hearing within 30 days of your arrest.
Do not miss any court appearances unless your attorney confirms that you have been excused because the solicitor’s office will issue a bench warrant for your arrest.
Preliminary Hearings in Lexington, SC
When you are charged with any offense in General Sessions Court, you have the right to a probable cause hearing.
You must request your preliminary hearing within 10 days after your arrest, and then you will be notified when a hearing date is scheduled.
At your hearing, the magistrate will determine whether the officer’s testimony establishes probable cause for your charges.
If there is no probable cause, your case is dismissed. If the court finds there is probable cause, you lose nothing, and your case continues to trial.
Schedule your free consultation today.
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