Assault & Battery Defense Lawyer – Summerville, SC

An assault and battery charge can lead to fines, jail or prison time, a criminal record, and other consequences that can affect your future.

If you have been arrested, charged, or told you are under investigation in Summerville or elsewhere in the South Carolina Lowcountry, the first step is understanding the accusation and your legal options.

The Law Office of Susan E. Williams represents people facing criminal charges in Summerville and throughout Dorchester, Berkeley, Charleston, and Colleton counties.

Susan E. Williams brings experience from both sides of the criminal justice system. She spent four years at the Dorchester County Solicitor’s Office, where she tried cases and learned firsthand how prosecutors build criminal cases.

Every assault and battery case is different. Witness statements, photos, medical records, video, electronic communications, and statements to police can all affect how a case develops.

Understanding Assault and Battery Charges in South Carolina

South Carolina Code § 16-3-600 establishes several levels of assault and battery. The charge depends on factors such as the severity of the alleged injury, how the incident occurred, and whether aggravating circumstances were involved.

Assault and Battery of a High and Aggravated Nature

Assault and Battery of a High and Aggravated Nature, or ABHAN, applies when an unlawful injury causes great bodily injury or when the act is carried out by means likely to cause death or great bodily injury.

ABHAN is a felony punishable by up to 20 years in prison.

Assault and Battery in the First Degree

First-degree assault and battery can involve an unlawful injury combined with certain aggravating circumstances. It may also involve an offer or attempt to injure someone, with the present ability to do so, by means likely to cause death or great bodily injury or during certain specified crimes.

First-degree assault and battery is a felony carrying up to 10 years of imprisonment.

Assault and Battery in the Second Degree

Second-degree assault and battery may apply when an unlawful injury, or an offer or attempt to cause injury, results in or could have resulted in moderate bodily injury. The statute also covers certain nonconsensual touching.

The offense is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $2,500, imprisonment for up to three years, or both.

Assault and Battery in the Third Degree

Third-degree assault and battery involves unlawfully injuring another person or offering or attempting to cause injury while having the present ability to do so.

It is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $500, imprisonment for up to 30 days, or both.

Why Hire Susan E. Williams for an Assault and Battery Case?

Choosing an attorney is a personal decision. Susan E. Williams’s background includes experience that defendants may want to consider when selecting counsel.

Former Dorchester County Prosecutor

Before opening her private practice, Susan spent four years at the Dorchester County Solicitor’s Office.

She tried criminal cases and gained firsthand insight into what the State must prove to obtain a conviction.

She also worked with defense attorneys, observed defense strategies, and evaluated cases from the prosecution side.

That experience can help when evaluating how prosecutors may approach an assault and battery case.

More Than a Decade in Private Criminal Defense Practice

Susan opened her private practice in 2009 after gaining courtroom and prosecution experience. Based in Summerville, her firm represents clients in criminal matters throughout the Lowcountry.

One-on-One Attention

One reason Susan opened her own firm was to provide clients with individual attention. She works directly with clients to understand their circumstances and help them navigate the criminal process.

Deep South Carolina Roots

Susan is a native South Carolinian who grew up in the Midlands and attended the University of South Carolina. She completed internships at the South Carolina State House and Richland County Drug Court before later working in the Dorchester County Solicitor’s Office.

Her Summerville office serves clients throughout Dorchester, Berkeley, Charleston, and Colleton counties, including North Charleston, Goose Creek, Ridgeville, Moncks Corner, Hanahan, Walterboro, and St. George.

Building a Defense to an Assault and Battery Charge

Being charged is not the same as being convicted. The prosecution must prove the required elements of the offense.

A defense attorney may examine whether the incident occurred as alleged, whether witness accounts are consistent, whether physical or medical evidence supports the accusation, and whether other evidence provides important context.

Self-defense may be important in some cases. Other issues can include who started the confrontation, whether the accused had the alleged ability or intent, and whether the evidence supports the specific degree charged.

An effective defense strategy should be based on the evidence, not assumptions about what happened.

5 Common Questions About Assault and Battery Charges in South Carolina

1. What Are the Consequences of Being Convicted of an Assault and Battery Charge in South Carolina?

The penalties depend on the degree of the offense. Under South Carolina Code § 16-3-600, third-degree assault and battery can carry up to 30 days in jail, second-degree up to three years and/or a $2,500 fine, first-degree up to 10 years, and ABHAN up to 20 years.

A conviction also creates a criminal record and may have consequences beyond the court-imposed sentence.

2. Can I Be Charged With Assault and Battery if Nobody Was Seriously Injured?

Yes. South Carolina law does not require a serious injury for every assault and battery charge. Third-degree assault and battery can involve an unlawful injury or an offer or attempt to cause injury when the person has the present ability to do so.

3. What Is the Difference Between First-, Second-, and Third-Degree Assault and Battery?

The differences depend on factors such as the level of injury, whether the conduct could have caused serious injury, certain forms of nonconsensual touching, and the circumstances surrounding the incident. Penalties generally increase with the seriousness of the charge.

4. Can an Assault and Battery Charge Be Reduced or Dismissed?

It depends on the evidence, applicable law, negotiations, and other facts of the case. An attorney can review the prosecution’s evidence, investigate the allegations, identify legal or factual issues, and explain what options may be available. No result can be guaranteed.

5. Should I Speak to Police About an Assault and Battery Allegation?

Statements made during an investigation may later be used as evidence. Before giving a statement about a criminal accusation, you can speak with an attorney about your rights and the possible consequences of talking with investigators.

Speak With a Summerville Assault and Battery Defense Lawyer

An assault and battery case can move quickly. Getting legal advice early can help you understand the charge, the evidence, possible penalties, and potential defenses.

The Law Office of Susan E. Williams is located at 207 East 3rd North Street in Summerville and represents clients throughout Summerville and surrounding Lowcountry communities.

Call the Law Office of Susan E. Williams at (843) 607-9800 or contact the firm to schedule a consultation about your assault and battery case.

A consultation provides an opportunity to discuss what happened, ask questions about the criminal process, and learn about the legal options available based on the circumstances of your case.