Getting charged with a crime in Fountain Inn can be a traumatic experience. Even "petty" crimes can cause an individual's life to fall apart professionally and personally. Spending time in jail is bad enough, but the ramifications of a criminal record run deep, resulting in loss of employment, loss of friends, and even family. For many people, having a zealous criminal defense attorney in Fountain Inn, SC, to defend their rights is the only shot they have of living a normal life.
That's why, if you have been charged with a crime, you need the help of a veteran criminal defense lawyer early in the legal process. That's where Cobb Hammett Law Firm comes in to give you or your loved one hope when you need it the most.
Our criminal defense law firm was founded to help people just like you - hardworking men and women who are looking at diminished employment opportunities and a possible lifetime of embarrassment. But with our team of experts fighting by your side, you have a much better chance of maintaining your freedom and living a normal, productive life. When it comes to criminal law in Fountain Inn, we've seen it all. With decades of combined experience, there is no case too complicated or severe for us to handle, from common DUI charges to complicated cases involving juvenile crimes. Unlike some of our competition, we prioritize personalized service and cutting-edge criminal defense strategies to effectively represent our clients.
Clients rank Cobb Hammett, LLC as the top choice for Fountain Inn criminal defense because we provide:
Choosing the right criminal defense lawyer in Fountain Inn can mean the difference between conviction and acquittal. Our firm has represented thousands of clients in the Lowcountry, and we're ready to defend you too. Some of our specialties include:
DUI penalties in Fountain Inn can be very harsh. Many first-time DUI offenders must endure a lifelong criminal record, license suspension, and the possibility of spending time in jail. Officers and judges take DUI very seriously, with 30% of traffic fatalities in South Carolina involving impaired drivers, according to NHTSA. Criminal convictions can have lasting impacts on your life, which is why Cobb Hammett Law Firm works so hard to get these charges dismissed or negotiated down. In some cases, we help clients avoid jail time altogether.
The bottom line? Our criminal law defense attorneys will do everything possible to keep you out of jail with a clean permanent record. It all starts with a free consultation, where we will take time to explain the DUI process. We'll also discuss your defense options and speak at length about the differences between going to trial and accepting a plea bargain.
The consequences of a DUI in Fountain Inn depend on a number of factors, including your blood alcohol level and how many DUIs you have received in the last 10 years. If you're convicted, the DUI charge will remain on your criminal history and can be seen by anyone who runs a background check on you. Sometimes, a judge will require you to enter alcohol treatment or install an interlock device on your automobile.
If you're on the fence about hiring a criminal defense lawyer in Fountain Inn, SC, consider the following DUI consequences:

48 hours to 90 days
with fines ranging from
Five days to three years
with fines ranging from
60 days to five years
with fines ranging from
Additional consequences can include:
1
When convicted of DUI in South Carolina, most offenders must join the Alcohol and Drug Safety Action Program. This program mandates that offenders complete a drug and alcohol assessment and follow the recommended treatment options.
2
Some first-time DUI offenders in Fountain Inn may choose to complete community service in lieu of jail time. Community service hours are usually equal to the length of jail time an offender would be required to serve.
Typically, when a person is convicted of driving under the influence in Fountain Inn, their driver's license is restricted or suspended. The length of restriction or suspension depends on how many prior DUI convictions an individual has.
First-time DUI offenders must endure a six-month license suspension. Drivers convicted with a blood-alcohol level of .15% or more do not qualify for a provisional license. However, sometimes they may still drive using an ignition interlock device.
Offenders convicted of a second DUI charge must use an ignition interlock device (IID) for two years.
Offenders convicted of a third DUI charge must use an ignition interlock device (IID) for three years. That term increases to four years if the driver is convicted of three DUIs in five years.
For offenders with two or more convictions, the judge will immobilize their vehicle if it is not equipped with an IID. When a judge immobilizes a vehicle, the owner must turn over their registration and license plate. Clearly, the consequences of receiving a DUI in Fountain Inn can be life-changing, and not in a good way. The good news is that with Cobb Hammett Law Firm, you have a real chance at beating your charges and avoiding serious fines and jail time. Every case is different, which is why it's so important that you call our office as soon as possible if you are charged with a DUI.
Most drivers brush off traffic law violations as minor offenses, but the fact of the matter is they are criminal matters to be taken seriously. Despite popular opinion, Traffic Violation cases in Fountain Inn can carry significant consequences like fines and even incarceration. If you or someone you love has been convicted of several traffic offenses, your license could be suspended, restricting your ability to work and feed your family.
Every driver should take Traffic Violations seriously. If you're charged with a traffic crime, it's time to protect yourself and your family with a trusted criminal defense lawyer in Fountain Inn, SC. Cobb & Hammett, LLC is ready to provide the legal guidance and advice you need to beat your traffic charges. We'll research the merits of your case, explain what charges you're facing, discuss your defense options, and strategize an effective defense on your behalf.
There are dozens and dozens of traffic laws in Fountain Inn, all of which affect drivers in some way. Our Fountain Inn defense attorneys fight a full range of violations, including but not limited to the following:
As seasoned traffic violation lawyers, we know how frustrating it can be to get charged with a Traffic Violation. While some traffic charges can be minor, others are severe and can affect your life for years to come. Don't leave your fate up to chance call Cobb Hammett Law Firm today for the highest-quality Traffic Violation representation in Fountain Inn.
At Cobb & Hammett, LLC, we understand that children are still growing and learning about the world around them. As such, they may make mistakes that get them into trouble with the law. Children and teens who are arrested in Fountain Inn can face much different futures than other children their age. Some face intensive probation, while others are made to spend time in jail.
This happens most often when a child's parents fail to retain legal counsel for their son or daughter. Cases referred to the South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice often move quicker than adult cases, so finding a good lawyer is of utmost importance. With that said, a compassionate criminal defense attorney in Fountain Inn, SC, can educate you and your child about their alleged charges. To help prevent your child from going to a detention center, we will devise a strategy to achieve favorable results in their case.
Unlike adults, juveniles don't have a constitutional right to a bond hearing. Instead, once your child is taken into custody a Detention Hearing is conducted within 48 hours. This hearing is similar to a combination of a Bond Hearing and a Preliminary Hearing. Unfortunately, there is little time to prepare for these hearings, which is why you must move quickly and call Cobb Hammett law firm as soon as possible.
Our team gathers police reports, petitions, interviews your child at the DJJ, speaks with you about the case and talks to the prosecutor to discover if they have plans for detention. In most cases, we strive to avoid detention and seek alternatives like divisionary programs or treatment facilities. This strategy better addresses your child's issues and keeps them out of the juvenile legal system in Fountain Inn. If your child is charged with a crime, and South Carolina decides to prosecute, your child will appear before a family court judge, who will find them delinquent or not delinquent. There are no juries in juvenile cases in South Carolina, which is why it's crucial to have a lawyer present to defend your child if they go in front of a judge.
Common penalties for juveniles charged with crimes in Fountain Inn include:
Whether you are facing a DUI charge or a serious traffic violation, Cobb Hammett Law Firm is here to fight for your rights so you can continue living life. The future might seem bleak, but our criminal defense lawyers in Fountain Inn, SC, have the tools, experience, and strategy to win your case, as we have with so many others. Don't lose hope call our office today and maintain your freedom tomorrow.
Construction is underway on a new two-mile section of the Swamp Rabbit Trail, which will connect Fountain Inn to Simpsonville via a new pedestrian trail.The Upstate Greenways and Trails Alliance (UGATA), City of Fountain Inn, and DRB Homes held a ceremony to celebrate the start of construction on the Golden Strip. The trail runs through the Mulberry Estates Neighborhood, Fountain Inn High School, and Bryson Elementary School, providing pedestrian and bike infrastructure through a key part of both cities.Matthew Hudson-Flege, UG...
Construction is underway on a new two-mile section of the Swamp Rabbit Trail, which will connect Fountain Inn to Simpsonville via a new pedestrian trail.
The Upstate Greenways and Trails Alliance (UGATA), City of Fountain Inn, and DRB Homes held a ceremony to celebrate the start of construction on the Golden Strip. The trail runs through the Mulberry Estates Neighborhood, Fountain Inn High School, and Bryson Elementary School, providing pedestrian and bike infrastructure through a key part of both cities.
Matthew Hudson-Flege, UGATA's executive director, said he thinks the extension will be an incredible amenity for people living in the area.
"We think this is going to be a real boost for the community of Fountain Inn," Hudson-Flege said. "This day has been years in the making."
Fountain Inn Mayor GP McLeer spoke at the ceremony, noting that residents have strongly requested that the Swamp Rabbit Trail be expanded in the city. He said he's excited to see the pedestrian trail establish connectivity between Simpsonville and Fountain Inn, and he hopes to see the trail expand into Mauldin later on.
"We're excited to be a part of that picture and the vision of the Swamp Rabbit Trail," McLeer said.
The Golden Strip is just one example of recent extensions and upgrades on the popular Upstate trail. UGATA opened the Swamp Rabbit Trail's Gold Line in December, which connects the George I. Theisen Family YMCA to Main Street in Travelers Rest.
The City of Greenville is also planning to establish separate pedestrian and bicycle lanes along the trail segment between Unity Park and River Street in downtown Greenville. According to a city post, planning staff are working on a final design for trail upgrades, including lighting, raised crosswalks, seating, and widening. City staff also plan to expand the trail width from 11 to 13 feet to 16 feet.
The Swamp Rabbit Trail's Golden Strip is expected to open in the late spring or early summer, according to Hudson-Flege. He said UGATA wants to continue partnering with leadership in Fountain Inn, Simpsonville, and Mauldin so the entire Golden Strip can be connected to the broader Prisma Health Swamp Rabbit Trail network.
"What I really love most about trail projects is not only do they connect places, but they connect people and the community," Hudson-Flege said.
Bella Carpentier covers the South Carolina legislature, state, and Greenville County politics. Contact her at [email protected]