Mar 14, 2013 | Burglary/Robbery/Larceny, Criminal Defense, Uncategorized
An early morning burglary that occurred at the South Carolina Department of Transportation facility in Rock Hill was disturbed by a DOT employee. Police say two people were in the process of loading equipment into a U-Haul truck, when the DOT worker spotted them. This occurred around 1:00 a.m.
Police have charged a 40-year-old woman, and 42-year-old man with grand larceny, criminal conspiracy, and second-degree burglary, according to Rock Hill police booking reports. In many states throughout the United States, a person must enter the dwelling of another in order to be charged with the crime of burglary. However, in South Carolina, if one enters a building with the intent to commit a felony or larceny therein, that person may still be charged with burglary under South Carolina law.
If you have been charged with a property crime in South Carolina such as larceny, burglary, or robbery, call the law offices of Reeves, Aiken & Hightower, LLP. We have years of experience in defending those charged with criminal offenses, and would be happy to assist you. For a consultation, call our Baxter Village office in Fort Mill, South Carolina at 803-548-4444, or toll-free at 877-374-5999.
Mar 14, 2013 | DUI & DWI, Felony DUI, Uncategorized
A Rock Hill woman was charged earlier this week with driving under the influence after her blood alcohol concentration registered a .31 on the breathalyzer test. She stated that it was her cheating husband that drove her to consume alcohol. Police were called to a parking lot after reports of the woman sitting in her car with smoke pouring from the hood.
The woman claimed that her husband had been cheating on her, which she says was the cause of her intoxication. Thereafter, the police attempted to administer a field sobriety test; however, the woman refused. A breath-test was taken by the officers, and it allegedly read .31 on two occasions that evening. The woman was charged with violation of an open container law, and driving under the influence.
In South Carolina, criminal charges related to driving under the influence greatly increase based on the level of alcohol intoxication. When a person is charged with his/her first DUI conviction, there are various levels of punishment at play. When the person has a BAC under .10 this equates to the following penalties: six month license suspension, $400 fine, 48 hours – 30 days in jail, and 48 hours of public service employment. However, when the BAC content is above a .16, the penalty increases. Such penalties include: a license suspension of six months, a $1000 fine, a minimum of 30 days in jail and up to as much as 90 days, and 30 days of public service employment.
Family problems are no excuse for one to get behind the wheel of a vehicle after consuming intoxicating libations. Police officers are entrusted to keep intoxicated drivers from driving, and it is no concern to them what personal issues one is confronted with that put that person on the road. What they are concerned about is one’s level of alcohol concentration. This is why it is so important for you to stay off the road when you have been drinking.
Unfortunately, people who are arguing with family are more likely to drink, and those who drink are more likely to have decreased inhibitions. With those decreased inhibitions comes more of a willingness to drive. This combination leads to a greater potential for one to receive a charge of driving under the influence. If you have been charged with a DUI, and the charges have been exacerbated by a higher BAC, call the law offices of Reeves, Aiken & Hightower, LLP for a consultation. You can contact our Baxter Village office in Fort Mill, South Carolina at 803-548-4444, or toll-free at 877-374-5999.
Mar 14, 2013 | Assault and Battery, Criminal Defense, Personal Injury, Uncategorized
A man from Rock Hill, SC found himself hospitalized after he engaged in an altercation with an arresting officer.
According to the reports, the 48-year-old man fought the officer until he ultimately kicked the officer in the face, following an arguement with family members. Apparently the man’s 32-year-old nephew is the one who contacted the police around 11:30 a.m., shortly after the ruccus started.
The nephew stated that his uncle was asked to leave the family home due to his intense intoxication issues, coupled with his argumentative behavior. Thereafter, a fight broke out, forcing the nephew to call the police.
When the police arrived, the uncle was unable to remain balanced on his own two feet, smelled of alcohol, and was slurring his speech. The police also noted that the uncle had his suitcase packed, but was unable to pick it up without falling over.
The police attempted to call the uncle a taxi, but as he left the house, he began to scream and shout profanities at the officers and the taxi driver upon arrival. The cops then placed the uncle under arrest for disturbing the peace.
As the officers tried to place the uncle in his cop car, the uncle kicked until he eventually hit one of the officers in the face with his shoe.
Apparently, even after the uncle was pulled out of the patrol car due to his stunt, he continued to kick at the officers. During the course of the uncle struggling, the fell backwards, hitting his head on the pavement, and suffering a few minor injuries on his elbow.
The man was taken first to the hospital for an assessment, but was later discharged. He was subsequently taken to jail for his reckless behavior.
He was subsequently charged with third-degree assault and battery as well as a public disorderly conduct charge. He was in jail until Thursday, when he was released on a $1,260 bond.
Mar 14, 2013 | DUI & DWI, Felony DUI, Uncategorized
A Columbia, South Carolina police officer is reported to have “blown” a DUI case when he failed to follow the proper breathalyzer test procedure. An order was therefore issued stating that the breath test results could not be used as evidence in trial. The reason being, that the officer ordered the suspect to “blow hard” when he was administering the test.
During the administration of the test, the officer ordered the man to “blow hard” several times; however, the instructions for the devise advise against that stating that uneven breaths can tamper with the results. Therefore, such an instruction is considered to be improper.
So, why are we discussing this right now? The reason is that this order may affect other DUI cases. This order may cause other defense attorneys to take a look at the procedure used to administer such breath tests. The hope is that prosecutors throughout the state will notice this, and ensure that proper breathalyzer procedure is followed.
The science of the machine notes that the most accurate results of the test come from deep lung air. Officers are taught to ensure that suspects blow as long as they can into the machine, not as hard as they can. Therefore, if you have been charged with a DUI, and you suspect the results are skewed as a result of an improper administration of the breathalyzer test, call the law offices of Reeves, Aiken & Hightower, LLP. We have experienced attorneys who understand the inner-workings of the testing system. For a consultation, call our Baxter Village office in Fort Mill, South Carolina at 803-548-4444, or toll-free at 877-374-5999.
Mar 14, 2013 | Motorcycle Accidents, Uncategorized, Wrongful Death
A Lancaster resident has subsequently passed away after a violent motorcycle accident she was involved in earlier in the month.
Accordingly, the 42-year-old Lancaster woman was riding her motorcycle around 4:45 p.m. when she was travelling westbound on S,C, 5.
She was driving her a 1997 Kawasaki motorcycle, when a vehicle travelling eastbound began to approach her. When the car and the motorcycle were parallel to one another, the car attempted to make a left turn onto Steel Hill Road, colliding with the victim’s motorcycle.
The Lancaster woman was not wearing her helmet at the time of the accident. Upon the paramedics arrival, the victim was airlifted to the closest hospital in Charlotte, North Carolina.
The victim survived for a little over a week, until she was subsequently pronounced dead while still in the hospital.
There are no clues or suspicions as to if either of the drivers were intoxicated while operating their vehicles.
Motorcycle accidents are exponentially more dangerous then that of a regular car. The rationale is that when you are driving a car, you have more metal and protection between you and the collision. However, unlike a typical car, the only thing protecting a person driving a motorcycle from impact due to a collision is their own bodies.
That being said, it is pertinent that one driving a motorcycle exercises extra precautions when operating their vehicle. Wearing a helmet is key. If there is no protection between you and the possible impact, the best thing to do is use your brain and protect it. Thousands of people die every year from serious head or brain injuries due to motorcycle accidents whereas the result may have been different if their head had been protected.
If you, or someone you know has been involved in a motorcycle accident in the Lancaster, York, or Indian Land regions/counties of South Carolina, contact the experienced motorcycle attorneys at Reeves, Aiken, and Hightower. We understand that accidents happen, and are here to help. Contact us today at 803-548-4444 or toll-free at 877-374-5999.
Mar 14, 2013 | Criminal Defense, Uncategorized
A South Carolina drug dealer, who consumed a large quantity of cocaine during a police chase, will be spending the next 33 years in prison. The man was charged this past November for conspiracy to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine and 280 grams or more of crack-cocaine, possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking and use of a communication device in furtherance of drug trafficking.
During the police chase, the man consumed such a large quantity of cocaine that he spent the next two weeks in the hospital recovering from the effects. It is also reported that, due to the fact that he endangered others during the chase, his prison sentence was enhanced as a result.
Police report that the man had sold powdered and crack cocaine in central South Carolina between 1998 and 2011. This was also revealed by prosecutors during the trial. Prosecutors also presented several threatening phone calls by the man threatening another drug dealer; however, no injuries ever came of these phone calls.
If you have been charged with a serious drug offense, it is important you retain competent counsel immediately. Without counsel, police officers can elicit incriminating statements from suspected persons and use these statements against these people at trial. For a consultation, contact the law offices of Reeves, Aiken & Hightower, LLP at 803-548-4444 or toll-free at 877-374-5999.
