We started this blog to discuss legal issues that may be relevant to Myrtle Beach residents. People find themselves in burdensome or otherwise compromising situations that call for legal support, and we want this blog to be an interesting resource that helps to clarify how the civil and criminal court systems work.
Consider the recent arrest of a young man in Myrtle Beach. He probably didn’t wake up thinking he would later be arrested, but after he came home from work in the evening, police were called to his home.
The 20-year-old was living with his 19-year-old roommate, and she claims that after he returned from work, the young man became angry because his marijuana was missing. The woman told police a dresser was used to trap her inside a bedroom. She also claims she was choked.
In South Carolina, if a person calls the police and accuses you of domestic violence, you will most likely go to jail, even if the situation is not as simple as the other person makes it out to be. This is especially true, though, if the other individual has notable marks on his or her body.
In this particular case, a police report indicates that the young woman had marks on her legs, arms, chest, shoulders, wrist and neck. The report also notes a bite mark on the young man’s side.
He was taken to jail and faces a domestic violence charge. A news report doesn’t say whether or not he has any previous convictions, but a clean record in many cases can be useful in achieving a reduction of charges or a mitigation of penalties.
A dismissal of charges is also possible in cases in which evidence was badly obtained or otherwise faulty. In any case, people accused of a crime should keep in mind that they are always presumed innocent unless the prosecution can prove otherwise.
Source: myrtlebeachonline.com, “Myrtle Beach man charged after woman reports being choked over missing drugs,” Tonya Root, June 19, 2013