In South Carolina, identity theft crimes are punishable by fines or imprisonment. If you have been accused of identity theft, hiring legal counsel to protect your rights is wise.
The Greenville identity theft lawyers at Ellis Hinton, LLC are prepared to represent you in state or local criminal cases. Our experienced fraud defense attorneys are based in Greenville, servicing SC and beyond. Call today for more information.
South Carolina Law makes it unlawful for someone to commit identity fraud or financial identity fraud. These crimes occur when you take part in the following actions:
A person commits ordinary identity fraud by using another individual’s social security number or other personal identifying information to get a job or evade arrest. Although these crimes appear similar, they each require different elements to be proven.
Like prosecutors to the plaintiff, criminal defense attorneys have a duty to shield a defendant’s rights. For example, they protect the accused by ensuring they are not sentenced to cruel and unusual punishment. Some other essential reasons to hire a lawyer include their role in the following:
Hiring a criminal defense attorney is useful because they can negotiate plea deals on your behalf. Additionally, your lawyer can advise you on whether you should accept a deal or proceed with trial. Ultimately, the decision to accept or decline a plea is yours, but a good attorney will advise you of the advantages and disadvantages of your options.
During a criminal trial, the State has the burden or responsibility of proving that you committed the crime for which you have been accused. The South Carolina Code of Law details the elements of each crime, and the prosecutors must demonstrate each element of that crime in order to convict you.
On the other hand, a criminal defense lawyer only needs to disprove one element of the prosecutor’s argument for a “not guilty” verdict. The most significant benefit of hiring legal representation in an identity theft trial is your attorney’s defense strategy and preparation.
A lawyer will intimately know the elements of the crime for which you have been accused. They can prepare to defend you by compiling evidence, facts, and witnesses to show weaknesses in the prosecution’s arguments for each element.
At trial, your attorney must also have a thorough understanding of the rules of criminal procedure. Sometimes, a witness statement or a piece of evidence could prove an element, but if it was illegally obtained, then a lawyer can argue against its use at trial.
In criminal trials, the Constitution guarantees legal representation for the accused. This shows how important it is to have a lawyer on your side. If you have been charged with identity fraud or financial identity fraud, consider contacting the credible defense attorneys at Ellis Hinton, LLC.
If you are looking for a personal and professional experience with a criminal defense firm, look no further than Ellis Hinton, LLC. Exercise your right to legal representation with a firm that will represent you tenaciously and transparently. Speak to our Greenville identity theft lawyers today to start building your defense.
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