Criminal Defense Attorney Serving Greenville, Spartanburg, Laurens & Pickens Counties
What should you do after being arrested or charged with a crime in South Carolina?
Stop talking. That is the single most important thing you can do after an arrest. Do not explain yourself to the officers. Do not call someone from the jail phone and describe what happened. Do not post anything on social media. Everything you say from this moment forward can and will be used to build a case against you. Exercise your right to remain silent, and call an attorney. That is the order of operations, and it matters more than most people realize.
The second most important thing? Choose the right attorney. Not the one with the biggest billboard. Not the one who promises you an outcome before reviewing a single piece of evidence. The one who will actually prepare your case, communicate with you openly, and fight for the strongest possible result based on the facts. That is what we do at Hellams Law.
A Criminal Defense Attorney Who Has Been on Both Sides
Attorney Will Hellams built a career in public safety before becoming a defense attorney. He has conducted investigations. He has written the reports that prosecutors later use to build their cases. He has been inside the system that is now working against you.
That experience changes everything about how we approach a defense. When we review the police report in your case, we are not reading it the way most defense attorneys read it. We are reading it the way the officer who wrote it reads it. We know what is supposed to be there, what is missing, and what does not add up. When we evaluate whether a search was legal, whether a stop was justified, whether an interrogation followed proper procedures, we understand the practical realities of how those decisions are actually made in the field. Not in theory. In practice.
Most defense attorneys have only ever seen the criminal justice system from one side. We have been on both. That is not a talking point. It is an operational advantage that shows up in how we investigate, how we challenge the prosecution’s evidence, and how we prepare for court.
How We Handle Criminal Defense Cases
Independent investigation.
We do not rely on the prosecution’s version of events. We review every piece of evidence: police reports, body camera footage, witness statements, forensic results, and any physical or digital evidence relevant to the case. Where the evidence was obtained in violation of your constitutional rights, we challenge it.
Pre-trial motions.
Motions to suppress evidence, motions to dismiss, and other pre-trial challenges are where many cases are won or fundamentally changed. We identify every viable legal challenge early and pursue it aggressively. The Fourth Amendment places strict limits on searches and seizures, and violations of those limits can result in critical evidence being excluded from the prosecution’s case.
Negotiation from preparation.
When negotiation with the solicitor’s office is appropriate, we negotiate from a position of thorough preparation. Pre-Trial Intervention (PTI), Alcohol Education Programs, conditional discharge, reduced charges, and alternative sentencing are all options we explore when the facts support them. But we never negotiate from a position of weakness or desperation. The strongest negotiating position comes from a case that is trial-ready.
Trial readiness.
We prepare every case as though it is going to trial, because that preparation strengthens your position at every stage. If your case does go to trial in the Greenville County Courthouse or another Upstate courtroom, we are ready: clear presentation, effective cross-examination, and a defense built on the facts.
Cases We Defend
Drug offenses.
Possession, distribution, trafficking, and prescription fraud. Constitutional challenges to how evidence was obtained are often the foundation of a strong drug defense. Mandatory minimum sentences make the stakes in trafficking cases especially high.
Domestic violence.
All degrees, from third-degree misdemeanor through DVHAN. These cases carry consequences beyond jail time, including permanent federal firearms prohibitions, custody implications, and immigration consequences for non-citizens.
Murder and serious felonies.
The most serious charges demand the most serious preparation. We investigate independently, engage qualified experts, and build defenses that hold up under the most demanding scrutiny. Mandatory minimum sentences of thirty years make thorough preparation essential.
White-collar crimes.
Fraud, embezzlement, money laundering, and other financial offenses in state and federal court. Early intervention during the investigation phase can change outcomes significantly.
Assault and battery.
All degrees from third-degree misdemeanor through ABHAN (up to twenty years). Self-defense, lack of intent, misidentification, and other defenses evaluated based on the evidence.
Theft and shoplifting.
Petit larceny, grand larceny, burglary, receiving stolen goods. Theft is classified as a crime of dishonesty, which carries professional consequences for anyone in a position of trust.
Protective orders.
Emergency orders, no-contact orders, and restraining orders. The hearing window is short and the consequences are immediate: restrictions on where you can live, who you can contact, and whether you can possess firearms.
Weapons charges.
Unlawful carrying, possession by a prohibited person, and other firearms-related offenses. We examine the legality of the stop, the search, and the seizure.
What a Criminal Charge Actually Costs
A criminal conviction does not just mean potential jail time. It means a permanent record that shows up on every background check for the rest of your life. For professionals, it can mean license revocations, career-ending consequences, and lost opportunities that compound over years. Nurses, teachers, CDL holders, law enforcement officers, financial professionals, and anyone whose career depends on a clean record faces professional consequences that may far exceed the sentence itself.
For parents, a conviction can affect custody and visitation. For non-citizens, it can trigger deportation proceedings. For anyone, it changes how employers, landlords, and institutions evaluate you going forward.
That is why we take every charge seriously. A misdemeanor shoplifting case and a murder indictment both have real consequences for real people with real things on the line.
Questions People Ask About Criminal Defense
Should I talk to the police before hiring a lawyer?
No. You have the right to remain silent and the right to an attorney. Exercise both. Anything you say can be used against you, even statements you think are helpful. Officers are trained to elicit incriminating statements, and what seems like a casual conversation is often part of the investigation.
How much does a criminal defense lawyer cost?
Fees depend on the complexity of the case and the charges involved. We discuss the fee structure during your free initial consultation so you understand the cost before making any decisions.
Can charges be dropped or dismissed?
It depends on the facts and the evidence. Charges may be dismissed if the State cannot meet its burden of proof, if evidence was obtained in violation of your constitutional rights, or if other legal deficiencies exist. We evaluate every potential avenue for dismissal or reduction.
What is the difference between a misdemeanor and a felony?
Generally, misdemeanors carry a maximum of up to three years. Felonies carry potential sentences exceeding that. The classification affects sentencing, the court where your case is heard (Magistrate or Municipal Court for misdemeanors, General Sessions for felonies), and the long-term impact on your record.
Will my case go to trial?
Not every case goes to trial. Many are resolved through negotiation, pre-trial motions, or diversionary programs. We prepare every case as if it will go to trial, because that preparation strengthens your position at every stage, including negotiation.
How long does a criminal case take?
Timelines vary widely. A misdemeanor may resolve in weeks. A complex felony in General Sessions Court can take months or longer. Factors include the court’s docket, the complexity of the evidence, and whether pre-trial negotiations are productive.
Call Now. The First Consultation Is Free.
If you or someone you care about is facing criminal charges in Greenville, Spartanburg, Laurens, or Pickens County, the first conversation is free. Tell us what happened. We will give you a candid assessment and explain your options.