Need a Criminal Defense Attorney?
If you’re facing criminal charges in Summerville, Moncks Corner, Goose Creek or Charleston, then you need a criminal defense attorney that has dedicated their entire practice to criminal law.
Put another way, you need a criminal defense attorney who doesn’t just “dabble” in criminal defense – it’s all they do!
Which is why people turn to Farley Law.
Mitchell Farley has dedicated his entire law practice to representing ordinary citizens who have been accused of crimes. He knows that if you are charged with a crime in Summerville, Moncks Corner, Goose Creek and Charleston you’re up against the overwhelming power of the government.
He also knows that the police department, prosecutors and investigators, and SLED, have all the resources, funding, and experts they need, to build a case against you, get a conviction and possibly put you in prison for years to come.
But that’s not all.
Mitchel Farley is all too aware that law enforcement routinely makes mistakes in their investigation, falsely accuses people, and unfortunately, sometimes they’re just plain out lazy when it comes to doing their job.
Whatever the case, if you’re facing criminal charges then it’s your finances, family, employment and freedom at stake. Although we cannot promise or guarantee results to any client, we can tell you that we will do everything legally and ethically possible to win your case and achieve your goals whatever they might be.
Criminal defense attorney Mitchell Farley will get your charges dismissed, find an acceptable resolution through pretrial diversion or plea agreement, or take your case to trial.
criminal defense attorney
mitch farley has the Experience You Need!
What sets the Farley Law Firm apart from other attorneys?
First and foremost, criminal defense is not only what we do but all we do. We are not divorce, real estate, or car wreck lawyers. Mitchell Farley:
- Was born and raised in South Carolina’s Lowcountry. He received a degree in Political Science from the University of South Carolina and his Juris Doctorate from the Charleston School of Law, The Farley DUI defense law firm is located in Summerville, SC,
- Knows the local courts, police departments, jails, prosecutors, attorneys, and court personnel,
- Knows SC criminal law and regularly attends continuing legal education (CLEs) and training on criminal law, DUI law, and criminal trial practice,
- Has developed an extensive network of resources including membership in the South Carolina Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (SCACDL) and the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL),
- Has represented clients in well over a thousand criminal matters ranging from speeding tickets to murder charges, and
- Makes client communication a priority – we will answer your questions, return your phone calls, keep you updated, and be there with you at every stage of your case.
We Accept All Types of Criminal Defense Cases
Mitchell Farley is an experienced criminal defense attorney who handles all types of cases in South Carolina courts.
| Assault & Battery | Leaving the Scene of an Accident | Driving Under the Influence (DUI) |
| Attempted Murder | Malicious Injury to Personal Property | Driving with Unlawful Alcohol Concentration (DUAC) |
| Armed Robbery | Malicious Injury to Real Property | Boating Under the Influence (BUI) |
| Arson | Manslaughter | Flying Under the Influence (FUI) |
| Breach of Peace | Murder | Felony DUI |
| Breach of Trust | Obstruction of Justice | Implied Consent Hearings (Administrative Hearings for DUI) |
| Breaking into a Motor Vehicle | Obtaining Goods by False Pretenses | |
| Burglary | Petty Larceny | |
| Carjacking | Pointing or Presenting a Firearm | |
| Criminal Domestic Violence | Possession of Stolen Vehicle | |
| Child Endangerment | Public Disorderly Conduct | |
| Contributing to Delinquency of a Minor | Receiving Stolen Goods | |
| Failure to Register as Sex Offender | Reckless Driving | |
| Failure to Return Rented Objects | Reckless Homicide | |
| Financial Identity Fraud | Resisting Arrest | |
| Forgery | Shoplifting | |
| Fraudulent Check | Simple Assault | |
| Failure to Stop for a Blue Light | Strong Arm Robbery | |
| Grand Larceny | Trespassing | |
| Habitual Traffic Offender | Unlawful Carrying of a Pistol | |
| Indecent Exposure | ||
| Kidnapping |
Ready To Speak With a
CRIMINAL DEFENSE Lawyer?
Schedule Your Appointment Today!
Common Questions For
Criminal Defense Lawyers in Summerville, SC
What does a criminal defense lawyer do?
Criminal defense attorneys represent people who have been accused of crimes. Every person who is accused of a crime has a constitutional right to representation – those who cannot afford to retain an attorney are provided counsel through the public defender’s office.
Your criminal defense attorney should:
- Conduct an independent investigation of the charges and circumstances, including seeking information through witness interviews, FOIA requests, subpoenas, and discovery motions as needed,
- Research the legal issues in your case so they can advise you as to your chance of success should your case go to trial, including potential motions to dismiss, motions to suppress evidence or testimony, and the likelihood of a conviction or acquittal,
- Review the evidence in your case with you and advise you as to the possible outcome at trial,
- Negotiate with the prosecutor to get your charges dismissed, get a referral to a pretrial diversion program, or get the best possible plea offer in your case based on the circumstances and the strength or weakness of the state’s case,
- Communicate all plea offers to you (even if you are not going to accept them),
- Try your case to a jury if your case is not dismissed and you do not accept a plea offer, and
- Keep you informed and answer your questions at each stage of your case.
Are there defenses to criminal charges?
There are potential defenses in every criminal case, but they may be different from one case to the next.
Your potential defenses may include:
- Statutory defenses that are found in the laws defining the crime with which you have been charged,
- Defenses that may be found in SC appellate opinions specific to the crimes with which you have been charged,
- A failure to prove each element of the charges against you beyond any reasonable doubt,
- Insufficient evidence to prove the state’s allegations,
- Pretrial motions to suppress evidence or testimony that may result in the exclusion of key evidence against you,
- Case-specific defenses to prove your innocence through witnesses, forensic evidence, or other evidence, and
- Mitigation that may persuade the prosecutor to dismiss your charges or the court to give a lenient sentence.
Can criminal charges be dropped?
Yes! Criminal charges get dropped all the time. However, every case is different and we cannot promise any client a particular outcome.
We can promise you that we will work hard to get your case dismissed, and, if your case is not dismissed or if you do not accept a plea offer, we will take your case to a jury.
Your case could be dismissed by the prosecutor or by the court based on:
- A lack of evidence,
- Unavailable prosecution witnesses,
- The results of your attorney’s independent investigation of the facts,
- Statutory or common law defenses,
- Constitutional violations committed by law enforcement,
- Pretrial motions to suppress key evidence in your case,
- A lack of probable cause, or
- The alleged victim’s desire to dismiss the charges.
What shows up on my criminal record?
Any criminal conviction will appear on your criminal record unless it has been expunged. If you receive a pardon, the conviction will still appear on your criminal record, but it will also reflect that your crimes have been pardoned.
Even traffic offenses like driving under suspension (DUS) or driving under the influence (DUI) will appear on your criminal record, and, although they will “drop off” your driving record after so many years, they will not “drop off” your criminal record.
Can my criminal conviction be expunged?
Some types of minor convictions can be expunged from your record after three, five, or twenty years depending on the nature of the conviction.
These include:
- Dismissals or acquittals – although there was no conviction, you can have the record of your arrest and prosecution expunged,
- Charges that are dismissed through pretrial diversion programs can be expunged from your record,
- Misdemeanor convictions in magistrate or municipal court (after three years),
- Domestic violence third-degree convictions (after five years),
- YOA (Youthful Offender Act) convictions (after five years),
- Minor drug convictions including simple possession of any drug (after three years) and possession with intent to distribute (after 20 years).
Ready To Speak With a
criminal defense Lawyer?
Schedule Your Appointment Today!