Getting charged with a crime in Isle of Palms 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 Isle of Palms, 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 Isle of Palms, 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 Isle of Palms criminal defense because we provide:
Choosing the right criminal defense lawyer in Isle of Palms 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 Isle of Palms 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 Isle of Palms 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 Isle of Palms, 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 Isle of Palms 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 Isle of Palms, 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 Isle of Palms 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 Isle of Palms 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 Isle of Palms, SC. Cobb Dill 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 Isle of Palms, all of which affect drivers in some way. Our Isle of Palms 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 Isle of Palms.
At Cobb Dill 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 Isle of Palms 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 Isle of Palms, 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 Isle of Palms. 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 Isle of Palms 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 Isle of Palms, 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.
Updated: Oct. 24, 2024 at 8:32 PM PDTISLE OF PALMS, S.C. (WCSC) - The Isle of Palms is putting 44 solar panels on its public safety building thanks to a state grant that will pay for the installation, saving the city money on its electric bill and creating a reliable energy source.“We have a resident committee that’s an Environmental Advisory Committee, and they may periodically look at initiatives that we may want to do around the island, and this is one of them, to turn our public works building into a solar-power...
Updated: Oct. 24, 2024 at 8:32 PM PDT
ISLE OF PALMS, S.C. (WCSC) - The Isle of Palms is putting 44 solar panels on its public safety building thanks to a state grant that will pay for the installation, saving the city money on its electric bill and creating a reliable energy source.
“We have a resident committee that’s an Environmental Advisory Committee, and they may periodically look at initiatives that we may want to do around the island, and this is one of them, to turn our public works building into a solar-powered facility,” Mayor Phillip Pounds says.
A state grant of $67,000 will cover the purchase and installation costs. Climate and Energy Program Director at the Coastal Conservation League, Taylor Allred says the state funding project is new. He’s excited to see the town taking advantage of it and to see how many others do as well.
“My reaction is that it’s great news. You know, I think that we want to see as much of that as possible. Municipalities should take note across the state and follow suit. It’s a great deal for taxpayers, and it’s a great opportunity to help clean up the grid and save a little bit of money in municipal operations while doing it,” Allred says.
The installation projects will reduce the monthly electric bill for the building from more than $3,000 to about $600 a month. Factoring in the 30-year life span of the panels, and the needed upkeep, the town anticipates this will create about $9,000 in savings over the 30-year life span, on top of the installation being paid for by the state grant. All savings will go back into the town’s general fund.
“We can use it for foot bridges or different things on the island. I mean, $9,000 is not enough to do too much of a project. But, you know, it might be hiring another person, a piece of another person, or giving somebody an additional raise that we may not be able to do with these,” Pounds says.
Allred notes saving a little money is a perk, but there are other benefits to diversifying energy like reliability.
“It definitely offers a lot of potential reliability benefits. Having more distributed generation resources like solar energy can help to provide backup power in the event of disasters like a hurricane, and I would love to see more projects done that incorporate microgrid designs that can incorporate solar and battery storage to be able to keep an area powered, while maybe there are disruptions across the larger grid” Allred says.
The town awarded work for the project to Alder Energy Systems. The company did the installation of panels on the James Island Town Hall, Cultural Center and Fire Station One. Alder has experience installing panels on private businesses across South Carolina as well as other municipalities. City staff explain the project is a win because the state is incentivizing the installation with grants, but it would be hard to invest in solar on their own.
According to state data compiled by the Coastal Conservation League in 2015, solar generation made up only .01% of overall net generation in SC. In 2023, solar grew to well over 3%. Allred calls that a major jump and he’s encouraged to see the investment. South Carolina ranks 19th in the county for total solar installations.
“Solar also creates a lot of jobs and economic growth in the state. There are about 3,500 jobs in South Carolina in the solar industry across about 90 companies, including 21 manufacturers, that are here in the state. And overall, there have been about $3.3 billion of capital investment in solar in South Carolina today,” Allred says.
Isle of Palms approved the contract to Alder to do the solar installation at the public works building. The project is expected to take about 3-4 months including pre-planning. A start day and construction time frame have not yet been set.
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