Criminal charges in South Carolina shatter lives in moments—arrests happen during traffic stops on I-26, family disputes in your home, misunderstandings at work, or allegations you never saw coming that suddenly threaten your freedom, reputation, and future.
Available 24/7 - Prosecutors Don't Wait and Neither Should You
Whether you're facing charges in Charleston, Columbia, Greenville, Spartanburg, Myrtle Beach, or anywhere across South Carolina's 46 counties, the criminal justice system moves aggressively against you while you're left confused about your rights, legal options, and what happens next. Law enforcement and prosecutors begin building their case the moment charges are filed, interviewing witnesses, securing evidence, and constructing narratives designed for conviction—not truth.
Matthew McGuire has defended South Carolina criminal cases for over 30 years, protecting clients in magistrate courts, municipal courts, general sessions courts, and federal courtrooms throughout the state with a reputation for tenacious advocacy that prosecutors know and respect. Call (888) 499-5738 immediately—McGuire Law operates 24/7/365 because criminal charges don't wait for business hours, and neither do we.
South Carolina prosecutors have vast resources, experienced investigators, and a system built to convict. Defending against criminal charges requires an attorney who understands how to dismantle their cases piece by piece through decades of courtroom experience.
Decades of jury trial experience in general sessions courts throughout South Carolina, presenting compelling defenses that create reasonable doubt and secure acquittals.
Filing and arguing pretrial motions to suppress evidence, dismiss charges, compel discovery, and litigate every legal issue protecting your constitutional rights.
Negotiating with prosecutors from positions of strength when thorough investigation reveals case weaknesses they cannot overcome at trial.
Fighting for probation, suspended sentences, pretrial intervention programs, or minimum incarceration when cases don't result in dismissal or acquittal.
Preserving issues for appeal throughout trial proceedings and pursuing post-conviction relief when legal errors occurred during prosecution.
From traffic violations that escalate to serious charges to federal prosecutions carrying decades in prison, McGuire Law provides aggressive defense across the full spectrum of South Carolina criminal law.
Murder, manslaughter, assault and battery, ABHAN, armed robbery, kidnapping, and domestic violence throughout South Carolina's circuit courts.
Simple possession to trafficking charges involving marijuana, cocaine, methamphetamine, fentanyl, and prescription medications at state and federal levels.
First offense through felony DUI, CDL violations, and administrative license hearings with aggressive challenge of field sobriety and breathalyzer evidence.
Shoplifting, grand larceny, burglary, robbery, embezzlement, and financial transaction card fraud throughout South Carolina jurisdictions.
Criminal sexual conduct at all degrees, indecent exposure, solicitation, and sex offender registry challenges requiring experienced defense.
Fraud, forgery, breach of trust, computer crimes, identity theft, and financial institution violations in state and federal courts.
Unlawful carrying, possession by convicted felon, pointing and presenting firearms, and federal gun prosecutions across South Carolina.
Bond revocations and post-conviction relief matters in circuit courts throughout South Carolina's 16 judicial circuits.
Evidence disappears, witnesses become unavailable, and constitutional violations go unchallenged while prosecutors build their case against you.
Criminal charges threaten everything you've built—your career, your family, your freedom. Our values reflect the seriousness with which we approach every defense, treating each case as if our own future depended on the outcome.
We never forget that you're innocent until proven guilty. Our defense strategies force prosecutors to meet their burden of proof beyond reasonable doubt.
Every case receives thorough investigation, witness interviews, evidence analysis, and legal research regardless of charge severity or case complexity.
We challenge prosecutors, cross-examine witnesses aggressively, and take cases to trial when plea offers don't serve your interests.
You'll understand every development in your case, every strategic decision, and every option available. No surprises, no confusion.
Dismissals, acquittals, reduced charges, and favorable plea agreements. We measure success by outcomes that protect your freedom and future.
The Constitution protects you from government overreach, but those protections only matter when an experienced attorney enforces them. Police and prosecutors routinely violate these rights hoping defendants won't fight back.
Protection against unreasonable searches and seizures that police routinely violate during traffic stops, home entries, and arrests throughout South Carolina.
Right against self-incrimination that law enforcement ignores by pressuring statements without explaining consequences of speaking.
Right to counsel that attaches immediately upon arrest but police circumvent through deceptive interrogation tactics.
Required warnings before custodial interrogation that officers deliberately delay or manipulate to obtain incriminating statements.
Protection against indefinite delays that prosecutors use to pressure plea bargains while evidence fades and witnesses forget.
Your right to cross-examine witnesses and challenge the credibility of everyone testifying against you at trial.
Most criminal defense attorneys accept cases, review discovery, and negotiate plea deals. Matt McGuire builds defenses that force prosecutors to choose between dismissal and losing at trial—and they know it.
Over 30 years of dismissals, acquittals, reduced charges, and favorable plea negotiations throughout South Carolina's state and federal courts.
Former Assistant Attorney General and Assistant Solicitor experience provides insight into how prosecutors build cases and where those cases are vulnerable.
Offices in Columbia, Charleston, Myrtle Beach, and Spartanburg providing immediate response and established relationships in courts throughout South Carolina.
Relationships with forensic specialists, medical professionals, accident reconstructionists, and technical experts essential to building powerful defenses.
Criminal arrests don't wait for business hours. We're available around the clock because your defense cannot wait until Monday morning.
A criminal conviction creates consequences reaching far beyond the courtroom, affecting every aspect of your life for years or decades after the case ends.
Challenging illegal searches, attacking witness credibility, presenting alibi evidence, filing speedy trial demands, and asserting self-defense under South Carolina law.
Criminal charges create confusion and fear about what happens next. Here are straightforward answers to the questions South Carolina defendants most commonly ask.
Exercise your right to remain silent and request an attorney. Don't explain, don't apologize, don't try to talk your way out of it. Call Matt McGuire immediately.
Magistrate judges determine release conditions including cash bonds, surety bonds, GPS monitoring, and no-contact orders. Experienced advocacy at these hearings protects your release.
Evidence obtained through illegal searches can be suppressed through pretrial motions. Without that evidence, prosecutors often cannot prove their case.
Never accept any plea without understanding whether prosecutors can actually prove their case. Many seemingly strong cases collapse under aggressive defense investigation.
Magistrate courts handle misdemeanors and preliminary hearings. General sessions courts try felonies before juries. Defense strategies differ significantly between courts.
Some conduct violates both state and federal law. Federal prosecutions carry harsher penalties and different procedures requiring specialized defense experience.
PTI allows first-time offenders to complete supervision and conditions in exchange for charge dismissal. Successful completion avoids conviction entirely.
Cases range from weeks to years depending on complexity, court schedules, and defense strategy. We fight for resolution that serves your interests, not prosecutors' convenience.
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, don't give statements, and don't accept plea deals without consulting experienced counsel who will fight for your rights. Call McGuire Law now and experience the difference that personal, aggressive, and effective legal representation can make in your criminal defense case.
If you're facing criminal charges anywhere in South Carolina, contact Matthew McGuire immediately at (888) 499-5738 for experienced defense representation. Don't speak to police, don't give statements, and don't accept plea deals without consulting experienced counsel who will fight for your rights and freedom. Call now, chat online, or schedule your free consultation—we're available around the clock because your defense starts now.
