Late October saw the start of the largest release of federal prisoners in the history of the United States. Across the country the federal prison system is releasing convicts from federal penitentiaries who are serving sentences for non-violent drug crimes. These prisoners are being released because of a July 2014 change in sentencing laws that...
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Criminal Defense Attorney Columbia, South Carolina
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Avoid a DUI Arrest in Columbia over the Holidays
The Wednesday before Thanksgiving has been dubbed "Black Out Wednesday" for many, according to the Wall Street Journal. The night before the Thanksgiving holiday has become a time when many people go out drinking with friends to celebrate the season. Police are aware of this trend, however, and typically step up enforcement significantly over the...
Read More »Defense Attorney Matt Bodman Named to 2015 Legal Elite of the Midlands for Criminal Law
The Bodman Law Firm is proud to announce attorney Matt Bodman was named to the 2015 Legal Elite of the Midlands in the practice area of criminal law. According to Columbia Business Monthly magazine, which honored the leading attorneys in its October 2015 issue, the "Legal Elite" list represents the best attorneys in 20 categories....
Read More »Arrested for DUI After a Columbia Football Party
If you attend a South Carolina Gamecocks game at Williams-Brice Stadium or are among the legions of fans rooting for the Atlanta Falcons or Carolina Panthers at a local bar, there is a good chance you will consume alcoholic beverages. Study after study has shown football and alcohol go hand-in-hand. This means police are aware of...
Read More »Columbia Drivers with a CDL Need Effective DUI Defense
A DUI can have a profound impact on your career opportunities. As a result of a DUI, you may be disqualified from jobs requiring a clean driving record and your criminal history can show up on background checks if you are convicted. For those with a commercial driver's license (CDL), however, a DUI can literally be...
Read More »Expungement Workshops Not Best Approach to Clearing Criminal Record
In South Carolina, there are more than 20,000 people who are currently incarcerated. The vast majority of inmates are not sentenced to life, and will eventually be released and will need to find jobs and move on to a brighter future. Unfortunately, as News 13 reports, criminal records of people who have been formally arrested,...
Read More »South Carolina One of the 20 Strictest States in the Nation for DUI Penalties
Because drunk driving laws vary significantly from state to state, where you are arrested has a profound impact on the consequences of a drunk driving conviction. South Carolina is one of the strictest states in the U.S. when it comes to penalties imposed on people accused of driving while impaired. Because severe penalties may be...
Read More »Does DUI Get Thrown Out if the Police Don’t Read You Your Rights?
From watching television legal shows, most people have an idea that police must read you your Miranda rights and evidence can't be used against you if police don't fulfill this requirement. For some accused of driving while impaired by drugs or alcohol, this conception of Miranda rights has led to a mistaken believe they can...
Read More »Could Proposed Changes to South Carolina DUI Law Jeopardize Your Rights?
In South Carolina, police officers are required to record all DUI arrests via dash-cam, including proof of on-site sobriety tests and breathalyzer tests. If the video equipment malfunctions, the case might be dismissed. Lawmakers now are considering altering the South Carolina DUI law, which may increase the likelihood of a drunk driving conviction with insufficient...
Read More »Social Media Evidence Can Be Admitted in your Criminal Case
Prosecutors have the burden of proving to a jury that a defendant is guilty of committing crimes beyond a reasonable doubt. In addition to traditional evidence like witness statements and the results of a police investigation or search, prosecutors are increasingly using information from social media as evidence against defendants. In some cases, this is...
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