Sep 9, 2013 | Criminal Defense, Drug Crimes and Controlled Substances Defense, DUI & DWI, General, Uncategorized
Fort Mill and Charlotte Mecklenburg’s Police Departments have banned together to arrest a North Carolina homeless man living in the woods near the ever-popular Carowinds.
Carowinds is unique as far as jurisdictional issues goes, because it lays right on the boarder of North and South Carolina, with half of the park in one state, and the other half in the other.
According to the arresting deputies, the homeless man was seen drunk in public while he was attempting to panhandle at a convenience store. When the officers requested him to cease and desist, he refused to do so, allowing the officers to arrest him.
The officers were alerted of this mischief late Wednesday night, when a clerk at a convenience store called in and said the homeless man was begging for money on Carowinds Blvd, even at the entrance into the park.
By the time the officers arrived, the 52-year-old man was sitting on a stack of empty beer bottles. He told the police that he had never been asked to leave, and denied ever carrying a sign.
When the defendant stood to hit feet, he could not remain stable without holding onto the top of the officer’s patrol car.
The defendant has been charged with public intoxication, public disorderly conduct, as well as trespassing. He is currently being held at the York County jail with a minimum bond of $732.50.
If you, or someone you know has been charged with any sort of drinking offense, whether it be public intoxication or a DUI, contact the experienced attorneys at Reeves, Aiken, and Hightower, LLP toll-free at 877-374-5999. Everyone deserves a proper defense. Call us today to schedule a free consultation.
Sep 6, 2013 | Boating Accidents, Criminal Defense, General, Uncategorized
According to the Fort Mill Police Department, two men went missing from the radar late Thursday night.
Rescue Crews then told the family members of one, that they found his body on Lake Haigler, off of U.S. 21. Apparently the two men were elderly, both in their late 60’s, and frequently went fishing together at the small Fort Mill Lake. They were known in the community as life-long best friends; after Thursday night, no one heard from either one again.
The rescue crews found the one body when they were called on the scene after an emergency crew spotted the overturned boat earlier this morning, around 2:00 a.m. When the emergency crews arrived, they also stated they found an empty car parked nearby.
The daughter of the one of the duo stated that she and her father ” may not have seen each other too often, but if she needed him, he was always there for her and her family.” Both families are in saddened terribly by this incident, which is still under pending investigation.
All that is currently know is that one body is found, and there was an overturned boat and an empty car nearby. More details will be released as further information is discovered.
What is odd is that the police describe this Haigler Lake as more of a pond near the heavily populated Ann Springs Close Greenway. At this point in time, there is no report of which man’s body was found.
The York County Sheriff’s office has it’s essential dive team assembled in searching for the second man with the assistance of the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources.
Stories such as this sadden anyone at the core, whether you are personally involved or not. You should not have to go at this alone. Talk to your local attorney as more information if discovered, and if foul play is, then contact an attorney as soon as possible. If a crime has been committed, such as wrongful death, contact the law offices of Reeves, Aiken, and Hightower toll-free at 877-374-5999 for a free consultation on your options.
Apr 29, 2013 | Criminal Defense, DUI & DWI, Felony DUI, General, Uncategorized
In almost four months, two specific York County deputies have charged alm
ost 40 people with DUIs int he state of South Carolina. That means that those two deputies average almost 5 DUIs a month, a piece.
As this firm has discussed before, in December of last year, York County created a DUI Enforcement Team to begin the statewide crackdown on drinking and driving. The whole reason of this teams being is to target drivers who consume alcohol and then drive a car, truck, or even motorcycle.
The Sheriff’s office has released statements saying that “ the initiatives have paid off and makes the county roads safer,” thus making the Enforcement team all worthwhile.
Moreover, in addition to the 39 DUI charges, the two deputies have issued nearly 500 traffic citations. These citations range from simple seat-belt violations to speeding coupled with reckless driving.
Accordingly, the new grant money for the DUI Enforcement Team helps pay for the deputies new patrol cars, salaries, and police equipment.
There were a total of 239 DUIs issued last year, and the sheriffi’s office has reported that this is a 61% increase in DUIs from the year before.
Of the 39 DUI charges given thus far, 33 of those people have gone to court and pled guilty to either drunk driving, or a mitigated lesser charge. Sadly, these 33 people went to court without the proper legal representation.
Don’t get caught up in the court system and feel like you need to go at it alone. Sometimes it seems easier to plead guilty and have the whole thing put behind you, before you have time to really think. At Reeves,Aiken, and Hightower, LLP, we are equipped to do all the thinking for you. We can go to court for you and fight for your rights against your DUI or other traffic citation charges.
Instead of pleading guilty, contact us today at 877-374-5999 and let us do the worrying for you. Your first consultation is free.
Mar 19, 2013 | General, Personal Injury, Uncategorized
Being involved in any sort of serious accident can be both traumatic and stressful to all the parties involved. The injuries that follow the accident simply add to the anxiety.
What is even more stressful is the fact that there is a clock ticking for the amount of time that you have to file suit against your opponent whom you believe caused the accident.
In the legal profession, this “ticking clock” is commonly referred to as the “statute of limitations.” “Statutes of limitations” are essentially the laws that are set in place that set the time limit on how long you have to file a civil action ( such as a personal injury claim) or, how long the state has to prosecute someone who has allegedly committed a crime.
The time limits will vary depending on the state and the legal claim or crime that is involved. In the state of South Carolina, for example, you have three years to file a personal injury lawsuit.
But what does that mean from a general standpoint? There are a few key rules to keep in mind when determining if your clock is about to tick it’s last tock: (1) the time period begins to run or start on the date the incident occurs. In other words, the day you got into the car accident is the date in which you have three years to bring your personal injury suit in South Carolina, and (2) once your statute has “ran”, you can no longer file your claim, and the prosecution can not prosecute for a crime.
If you, or someone you know has been involved in any sort of car accident or other personal injury resulting in serious damages, do not wait to contact an attorney. Remember, the clock is ticking from the date of the accident, not from the date of recovery. In order to recover, a lawsuit must be filed within that 3 year time limit. Let the experienced personal injury attorneys at Reeves, Aiken, and Hightower evaulate your claim today. Contact us at 803-548-4444 or toll free at 877-374-5999 for a free consultation.
Sep 11, 2012 | General, News, Uncategorized
Today is a day that will be forever remembered in America’s history. This day marks the 11th anniversary of the tragic events that took place on September 11, 2001, when the Unites States was attacked by terrorists.
Memorials and ceremonies have been taking place all day, in every state of this great Nation; but it is particularly important to remember that friends and families in New York City still need our support, even after a decade!
In the past, thousands of people would gather around the World Trade Center and what was known as our ” Twin Towers,” to read aloud the 3,000 plus names of the victims who were killed in the worst terrorist attack that this Nation has ever known.
It is disheartening, but after 10 year anniversary, many people feel that the mourning period for this mass devastation should come to an end, and we as a Nation should move on, but not forget. That being said, many elected officials were not speaking publicly for the first time since 9-11, and many families and cities altogether cancelled their “remembrance memorials.”
However, for others, these “ceremonies are just as tough as they were after the first year,” states Marisol Torres as she tightly grasped a photograph of her cousin who lost her life 11 years ago today. “I wish I could say it gets easier, but it doesn’t,” said Torres. “I think you learn to live with your grief so in some sense it gets easier but you sort of learn to carry that around with you.”
No matter how you are dealing with the grief of the events that happened 11 years ago today, we at Reeves, Aiken, and Hightower, LLP want to extend our sympathy out to those who are suffering both publicly and privately, to those who have lost family members or loved ones, and to those who are still grieving for this Nation and it’s loss.
In remembrance of the victims of September 11th, 2001.
Jun 20, 2012 | General, Uncategorized
You would think that given how broadly similar BUI and DUI laws are in South Carolina that the legislature would treat blood alcohol content (BAC) levels as tested by the breath test or breathalyzer the same. However, the presumptions that BAC gives rise to in BUI cases are very different.
It turns out for BAC’s 0.05% or less there is a conclusive presumption that there is no BUI , i.e. if you blow 0.05% or less no court in SC can convict you of BUI.
For BAC’s 0.06% to 0.07% there is neither a presumption of guilt or innocence. The prosecution must tell the jury that you blew a 0.06% or 0.07% and use whatever other evidence that was collected at the time of arrest to show that you were incapable of boating safely.
Then, for BAC’s 0.08% or greater, there is an inference of BUI that can be rebutted only if there was some defect in the chemical test itself.
If you have been charged with BUI, you need experienced BUI attorneys that can fight for you. The attorneys at Reeves, Aiken & Hightower stand ready to fight for you. Compare our credentials to those of attorneys at any other firm, and then call us at 877-374-5999 or contact us on this form for the help you need.
