An ABHAN charge represents one of South Carolina's most serious violent crime prosecutions, carrying up to 20 years in prison and transforming bar fights, domestic disputes, self-defense situations, or mutual combat into felony convictions that destroy your future.
Available 24/7 - Immediate Response for ABHAN Arrests
ABHAN allegations arise throughout South Carolina—from Greenville altercations outside downtown bars, to Charleston confrontations escalating unexpectedly, to Columbia incidents where prosecutors upgrade misdemeanor charges based on injury severity or alleged weapon involvement. Law enforcement across all 46 counties aggressively pursue these cases, often making arrests based solely on alleged victim statements without investigating your side of the story, self-defense claims, or witness accounts contradicting the accusations.
Matthew McGuire has defended violent crime charges statewide for over 30 years, understanding that ABHAN prosecutions frequently stem from mutual combat, exaggerated injury claims, false accusations in custody disputes, or legitimate self-defense mischaracterized by overzealous prosecutors. Call (888) 499-5738 immediately—McGuire Law operates 24/7/365 because ABHAN cases require immediate investigation before witnesses disappear, surveillance footage erases, and your constitutional rights are trampled.
Violent crime prosecutions demand attorneys who understand courtroom combat, self-defense law, and the constitutional violations police routinely commit during ABHAN investigations. Our decades of trial experience give South Carolina defendants the aggressive advocacy they need.
Experience defending assault and battery charges with proven strategies for self-defense claims, witness credibility challenges, and case dismissals based on insufficient evidence or prosecutorial overreach.
While many ABHAN cases settle, we're always prepared for trial. Our courtroom experience gives us leverage in negotiations and confidence when presenting your complete story to a jury.
Skilled at drafting and arguing motions to dismiss, suppress evidence, and exclude testimony. Our motion practice often resolves cases before trial through suppression of unconstitutional evidence.
We scrutinize every aspect of your arrest for Fourth Amendment violations, Miranda violations, and other constitutional breaches that can result in suppressed evidence and dismissed charges.
Thorough investigation and discovery practices uncover evidence that wins cases—surveillance footage, witness statements, medical records, and forensic evidence proving your innocence or justification.
ABHAN charges arise from diverse circumstances throughout South Carolina, often when prosecutors overcharge legitimate self-defense or mutual combat situations.
Altercations in Five Points Columbia, downtown Greenville, or Myrtle Beach where bouncers, witnesses, or surveillance footage tell conflicting stories about who started the confrontation.
Mutual combat situations where only one party gets arrested based on visible injuries, gender assumptions, or who called police first rather than who actually initiated violence.
Cases where you lawfully protected yourself or family members but prosecutors claim you used excessive force or initiated the confrontation despite evidence to the contrary.
Physical confrontations on I-26, I-85, I-95, or throughout SC roadways after minor traffic disputes escalate to alleged criminal assault charges.
Employee conflicts, termination confrontations, or disputes between coworkers escalating to physical contact and resulting in felony charges.
Fabricated assault claims in child custody battles, divorce proceedings, or civil disputes where alleged victims seek legal advantage through criminal charges.
Situations where both parties fought willingly but only you face charges because the other person sustained visible injuries despite equal participation.
SC Code § 16-3-600(E) establishes ABHAN as a felony punishable by up to 20 years imprisonment. Prosecutors often overcharge to pressure plea bargains.
When prosecutors seek to imprison you for decades based on one-sided police reports, you need attorneys whose values match the fight ahead. Our commitment to aggressive defense has protected South Carolina defendants for over three decades.
We fight hard for our ABHAN clients. Whether challenging evidence, cross-examining witnesses, or presenting your case to a jury, we advocate aggressively for your freedom.
We believe in honest, straightforward communication about your ABHAN case. We'll tell you what to expect, what your options are, and what we recommend based on our experience.
Our success comes from thorough preparation, strategic thinking, and relentless advocacy. We have a track record of achieving dismissals, acquittals, and reduced charges for ABHAN clients.
You'll work directly with Matt McGuire, not paralegals or junior associates. Your calls and emails get personal attention from experienced counsel who has handled thousands of violent crime cases.
Insurance companies and prosecutors respect lawyers who will take cases to trial. Our trial experience ensures prosecutors take our motions and negotiations seriously from day one.
We deploy every available legal strategy to challenge ABHAN charges and protect your freedom under South Carolina law.
Proving you reasonably believed you faced imminent unlawful harm and used only necessary force to protect yourself or others under South Carolina's Stand Your Ground law.
Defense of property arguments when you lawfully protected your home, business, or belongings from unlawful entry or theft under SC Castle Doctrine protections.
Demonstrating both parties willingly engaged in fighting, negating the unlawful element required for ABHAN conviction when both participants consented.
Proving alleged victim's injuries don't meet "high and aggravated" standards, warranting only misdemeanor charges rather than felony prosecution.
Revealing inconsistent statements, motive to lie in custody cases, financial disputes, or civil litigation pending against you that motivated fabricated charges.
Filing motions to suppress illegal arrest evidence, coerced confessions, or statements obtained after police violated your Miranda rights or Fourth Amendment protections.
Facing 20 years in prison requires an attorney who has spent decades in South Carolina courtrooms fighting prosecutors who overcharge and police who violate constitutional rights. Matt McGuire's reputation for aggressive defense gives you the advantage you need.
Familiarity with prosecutors and judges across all 46 South Carolina counties and 16 judicial circuits gives our clients strategic advantages in bond hearings and trial proceedings.
When you're facing ABHAN charges, every hour counts. We guarantee same-day response to all violent crime inquiries—even on weekends and holidays.
We look beyond the immediate charges to develop comprehensive defense strategies that account for self-defense claims, witness credibility, and prosecutorial weaknesses.
When you need us, we're there. Our attorneys are responsive, available, and committed to keeping you informed every step of the way through your ABHAN case.
Your matter benefits from our collective experience with violent crime defense. We work together internally to bring you the best thinking and strategy for your defense.
An ABHAN conviction creates permanent barriers affecting every aspect of your life for decades to come.
Many ABHAN cases should be charged as simple assault and battery misdemeanors. We fight to get charges reduced or dismissed entirely.
South Carolina defendants facing ABHAN charges confront complex legal questions about self-defense, evidence, and their constitutional rights. Here are answers to the most pressing concerns.
Prosecutors must prove unlawful physical contact, "high and aggravated nature" through serious injury or extreme circumstances, intent to injure, lack of consent, and absence of legal justification like self-defense.
ABHAN requires proof of serious bodily injury, extreme circumstances, deadly weapons, or attacks causing disfigurement. Simple assault and battery involves minor injuries and carries only misdemeanor penalties.
Yes. South Carolina's Stand Your Ground law allows you to use reasonable force when you reasonably believe you face imminent unlawful harm. We prove you acted lawfully to protect yourself.
Mutual combat can be a complete defense if both parties willingly engaged in fighting. We challenge prosecutions where the alleged victim was an equal participant in the confrontation.
Yes. We often negotiate reduced charges when evidence doesn't support "high and aggravated" standards, or when we demonstrate prosecutorial overreach in charging decisions.
Statements obtained without proper Miranda warnings may be suppressed and excluded from trial. We challenge every constitutional violation to weaken the prosecution's case.
ABHAN cases typically take 6-12 months from arrest to resolution depending on county docket congestion, complexity, and whether the case proceeds to trial or resolves through negotiation.
Never. Anything you say will be used against you—even statements you believe are exculpatory. Call us immediately and let your attorney handle all communication with investigators.
With over 30 years of experience defending South Carolina, McGuire Law provides elite legal representation with national recognition. McGuire Law has grown from a small practice into one of the most trusted law firms in South Carolina. We understand that legal issues can be overwhelming, whether you're facing criminal charges, dealing with injuries from an accident, or navigating family law matters.
McGuire Law is committed to each client's unique situation, and we don't believe in boilerplate solutions. Every case requires careful analysis, strategic planning, and aggressive representation. Our firm combines over 30 years of experience with cutting-edge legal strategies to achieve the best possible outcomes for our clients.
McGuire Law serves all 46 South Carolina counties. We know these counties, their courts, their legal communities, and most importantly, the people who live here. This local knowledge, combined with our legal expertise, gives our clients a significant advantage.
Matt McGuire received his B.A. from the University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill and his J.D. from the University of South Carolina.
Matt has served as a law clerk for a State Circuit Judge, an Assistant Attorney General for the State of South Carolina, and an Assistant Solicitor in the Fifth Circuit Solicitor's Office.
Matt is a proud husband, father of two, and a long-time resident of Richland County, South Carolina.
Don't speak to police or prosecutors without representation. Don't let another day pass while evidence disappears and witnesses forget. Call McGuire Law now and experience the difference that personal, aggressive, and effective legal representation can make in your violent crime defense case.
If you're facing ABHAN charges anywhere in South Carolina, contact Matt McGuire immediately at (888) 499-5738 for aggressive defense representation. With over three decades defending violent crime cases in all 46 counties and a statewide reputation for tenacious courtroom advocacy, our firm protects your freedom and future. Don't speak to police or prosecutors without representation—call now, chat online, or schedule your free consultation. We're available 24/7/365 because your defense starts now.
