Criminal Defense

The Harris Law Firm offers legal counseling and trial representation for the defense of all criminal matters including the handling of pre-arrest investigations, arraignment and bail proceedings, pre-trial discovery and motions, jury trials in all courts of the State of South Carolina, and in the Federal District Courts for the District of South Carolina. Related criminal defense practice areas include asset forfeiture actions and post-conviction relief petitions.

The Harris Law Firm has twenty years experience in the representation of all criminal matters from the most serious to minor traffic offenses. Historically, the Harris Law Firm has practiced extensively in the areas of driving under the influence, felony driving under the influence involving death or serious bodily injury, and all drug possession offenses including major drug trafficking and conspiracy cases.

Other areas of experience include:

• Capital Death Penalty Cases**
  ** Attorney Ricky Harris is certified by the South Carolina Supreme Court as qualified to participate as lead counsel in death penalty cases in South Carolina.
• Murder
• Criminal Sexual Conduct
• Armed Robbery
• Burglary and Larceny
• Criminal Domestic Violence
• Financial Transaction Crimes
• Weapons Violations

The Harris Law Firm also represents individuals in misdemeanor cases in the Magistrate, Municipal, and Summary Courts of South Carolina in the following areas:

• Driving Under the Influence
• Simple Drug Possession
• Criminal Domestic Violence
• Traffic Offenses

The Harris Law Firm’s goal is to provide aggressive and proactive defense to every accused person. The Harris Law Firm philosophy is that this can be done only by maintaining the highest standards of professional competence combined with an understanding and concern for the rights and liberty of all individuals facing criminal investigation and arrest.

We understand the criminal defense client

A pending criminal investigation or arrest on criminal charges represents a personal, family, social, business, and financial crisis the likes of which most individuals have never experienced in their lives. Understanding this important fact of our client’s circumstance is the starting point in undertaking representation of accused individuals. When personal freedom, personal and family stability, economic survival, and reputation is at stake, people need a lawyer who understands their needs and will fight to protect their rights.

Ricky Harris’ goal is to provide that kind of legal representation. The Harris Law Firm’s goal is to provide aggressive and proactive defense to every accused person. The Harris Law Firm philosophy is that this can only be done by maintaining the highest standards of professional competence combined with an understanding and concern for the rights and liberty of all individuals facing criminal investigation and arrest.

Minor charges can lead to major consequences

Speeding tickets and other traffic offenses can lead to major life altering consequences beyond the mere fine imposed for such a violation including loss or impairment of driving privileges and increased insurance rates.

A conviction or bond forfeiture for simple possession of marijuana creates a criminal record, which requires an automatic driver’s license suspension and can lead to loss of job opportunities, educational opportunities, military opportunities, and beyond.

A simple criminal domestic violence conviction is a criminal offense in South Carolina and, under current federal law, would destroy the right of the accused person to own or possess a firearm.

A conviction for a minor’s possession of alcohol or a false I.D. results in an automatic driver’s license suspension.

The Harris Law Firm encourages all individuals who receive citations or warrants for what seem to be minor traffic or criminal offenses to consider seeking a consultation with an attorney before giving up the right to contest the charge by jury trial or otherwise. The Harris Law Firm provides free initial consultation for these matters.