Criminal prosecution is often accompanied by monetary penalties, imprisonment, and personal ramifications. A conviction can impact every aspect of your life.
Our Spartanburg criminal defense lawyers have in-depth experience handling legal proceedings and can help you navigate the criminal justice system. As former federal and state prosecutors, we have solved countless complex criminal legal issues for our clients.
Our role is to defend your rights, challenge the evidence against you, and negotiate with the prosecution on your behalf. Call Brandi Hinton and Sloan Ellis to learn more about our legal background, credibility, and experience. Our law office is based in Greenville, servicing SC and beyond.
After someone has been arrested, bond must be set. South Carolina Code Section 22-5-510 requires that a person charged with a bailable offense must have a bond hearing within 24 hours of his arrest and must be released within a reasonable time, not to exceed four hours, after the bond is delivered to the incarcerating facility.
Under most circumstances, individuals are entitled to a bond hearing within 24 hours of being arrested. The bond hearing determines if you can be released from custody until your trial. The decision to grant bond is left exclusively with the judge. The judge may release a defendant on their own recognizance or may require a surety bond if the judge determines that the person may be a flight risk or danger to the community.
The judge considers many factors when determining an appropriate bond for a defendant while their criminal matter is pending. If bond is set, defendants must follow all conditions set by the court so that the bond does not get revoked. Our Spartanburg defense attorneys understand how to strategically protect a client’s rights early in criminal proceedings to seek a more favorable outcome.
Once charges are filed, a defendant may be eligible for a preliminary hearing under South Carolina law. At this hearing, the court determines if probable cause exists for the charges to continue. There is no jury present, and the judge alone makes the decision. However, the preliminary hearing does not determine innocence or guilt; the court only decides whether there is enough evidence to proceed with the case.
If the judge determines that there is insufficient evidence, the defendant’s case will be dismissed. The defendant is not allowed to testify and does not present any evidence at the preliminary hearing.
Partnering with a dedicated legal professional is essential to solidifying a defense in criminal proceedings. At Ellis Hinton, our hardworking Spartanburg lawyers have in-depth experience with the following types of criminal defense cases:
Speak with well-versed lawyers Sloan P. Ellis and Brandi B. Hinton to gain more knowledge of our process, backed by years of experience as former federal prosecutors.
Whether you need help navigating a federal or state criminal case, no case is too challenging for our team. Our Spartanburg criminal defense lawyers could answer your questions and help you navigate your case on a state or federal level.
Ellis Hinton is committed to transparency about your case and providing guidance on navigating the criminal justice system. Contact our law office today to speak with attorneys Sloan P. Ellis and Brandi B. Hinton to learn more.
(864) 775-5775 
