Top Best Criminal Defense Lawyers | 26003 Available

Chad was born and raised in Columbia, South Carolina, before attending the College of Charleston and making the South Carolina Lowcountry his home.. After attending the Saint Johns University School of Law and the University of South Carolina School of Law, Chad began his career as an attorney at the South Carolina Court of Appeals, first as a staff attorney and then as a law clerk for the Honorable H. Bruce Williams. Following his time at the Court, Mr. Simpson was hired by the Ninth Circuit Solicitor’s Office, where he prosecuted hundreds of criminal cases, obtaining several guilty jury verdicts in high-profile trials for major offenses, such as criminal sexual conduct, murder, and I.C.A.C. cases (Internet Crimes Against Children).. In August 2010, while continuing to prosecute his personal case load, Mr. Simpson also began managing a trial team of 8 to 10 trial attorneys. Responsibilities as team leader included the management of trial dockets for General Sessions court terms, case assignments within the team, and attorney training and mentorship.. In March of 2015, he became an inaugural member of a selective prosecution team focusing on high profile major cases and career offenders, with an emphasis toward litigation and trial work. Most of his time at the Ninth Circuit was working for the incredible Solicitor Scarlett A. Wilson.. In January 2019, Chad Simpson took his experience in litigation and appellate work into private practice as a founding member of Kidd Corvey & Simpson, LLC.

Burns is a former federal, state and municipal prosecutor, practicing criminal law since 1998. In addition to his practice with the Wetmore Law Firm, he also serves as a Municipal Judge for the City of Folly Beach. Throughout his career, and from all perspectives of the judicial system, he has earned an outstanding reputation with law enforcement, prosecution and the judiciary

Since November of 2012, Jesse M. Goode has been the sole practitioner of the Law Office of Jesse Goode, LLC, located at 571 Savannah Highway, Suite Four, in the Byrnes Down/Avondale area of Charleston, South Carolina. Jesse specializes in Criminal Litigation in State, Magistrate and Municipal Courts and the representation of Plaintiffs in Civil Litigation involving Personal Injury, Premises Liability and Products Liability.. Prior to opening the Law Office of Jesse Goode, LLC, Jesse spent several years at Howe & Wyndham, LLP, practicing in the areas of Criminal Defense and Plaintiff's Civil Litigation. Throughout his years at Howe & Wyndham, LLP Jesse handled hundreds of cases involving a broad range of criminal offenses from minor traffic violations to very serious General Sessions charges. Additionally, Jesse handled many personal injury cases involving a variety of claims including automobile accidents, slip-and-falls (premises liability) and products liability, to name a few. Jesse has successfully defended many DUI cases in the Tri-County area and has very quickly developed a superior knowledge of the DUI laws of the State of South Carolina.. Give Jesse a call and let him put his experience and knowledge to work for you or your loved one. He can be reached by phone at or by e-mail at , and would be happy to schedule a free consultation to discuss your legal problem. After hours and weekend appointments are no problem, and at-home and/or site visits can also be arranged.  We are conveniently located directly behind the #3 Savannah Highway/Wesley Drive CARTA stop and parking is always free.

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Culver spent the last 10 years of his legal career as a prosecutor for the 9th Circuit Solicitor's Office in Charleston, SC.  As a founding partner of the Kidd Corvey & Simpson, LLC, Culver has begun using his specific skill set as a trial lawyer to help those injured by the negligence of others and accused of crimes.  He prides himself on clear transparent communication and setting realistic expectations for all of his clients.  Whether that means what to expect in the face of criminal allegations or what financial recovery is feasible in a personal injury case.  Culver prides himself in maximising his value to your case.

Alexander Tesoriero is a seasoned criminal attorney who began his career in New York. After graduating from Hartwick College, he earned his law degree from Albany Law School. Following law school, Alex’s reputation as a skilled and tenacious advocate for his clients quickly solidified.. Alex gained extensive trial experience handling a variety of the most challenging and complex criminal offenses, including murder, armed robbery, criminal sexual conduct, drug offenses, assault and battery, domestic violence, and traffic offenses.From these experiences, Alex has refined his expertise in criminal law, establishing himself as a trusted advocate who has received many successful case outcomes during his tenure as a defense attorney.. Alex’s legal journey is marked by his passion for upholding the principles of justice and his determined commitment to his clients’ well-being. He fully understands all stages of the criminal justice system, including how to assess the strengths and weaknesses of each criminal case during preliminary hearings or pre-indictment stages, negotiation of bonds and plea agreements between attorneys and judges, and zealously defending the rights of his clients all the way through trial.. As a trusted criminal attorney, Alex continues to make a meaningful impact on the lives of those he represents, ensuring that their rights are protected and their voices are heard in the pursuit of justice.. When he isn’t practicing law Alex enjoys spending his time outdoors and with his family.

Peter McCoy’s legal background has given him the experience and knowledge needed to vigorously defend the rights of his clients in all courts in South Carolina. Whether it is a criminal defense case, DUI, family law matter, or a personal injury case, Peter McCoy is prepared to handle all the needs of his clients. During law school, Peter clerked for the Ninth Circuit Solicitor’s Office during his summer and winter breaks from school. After graduation, he was hired as an Assistant Solicitor for the Ninth Circuit by Solicitor Ralph Hoisington.. After spending more than five years as a criminal prosecutor, Peter has handled thousands of drug, drug trafficking, murder, manslaughter, armed robbery, white collar, DUI, and felony DUI crimes in Charleston County. He started off his work as a prosecutor by being the lead DUI prosecutor for Charleston County. In this capacity, he prosecuted countless DUI and Felony DUI cases throughout the Ninth Circuit. For his remaining tenure as a criminal prosecutor, Peter handled violent, gun, and drug crimes. He has extensive court room experience having handled numerous jury trials for some of the most serious crimes in Charleston County. In 2010, when Peter was elected to the South Carolina House of Representatives he left the Solicitor’s Office and opened up his own firm.. Since entering private practice, Peter has practiced extensively in Magistrate, Municipal, General Sessions, Common Pleas, and Federal District Court handling cases that range from speeding tickets, to serious criminal felony charges, to numerous civil disputes ranging from car accidents to libel/slander defamation suits. In September 2011, Peter and Joshua P. Stokes merged their individual practices to form McCoy & Stokes, LLC. In April 2013, Peter was one of seven lawyers throughout South Carolina selected as a 2013 Super Lawyers Rising Star in the practice area of Criminal Defense Law. Mr. McCoy also holds the highest peer-reviewed, professional rating (“AV Preeminent“) available from Martindale-Hubbell reflecting a combination of “Very High General Ethical Standards” and overall “Legal Ability”.. Peter’s years at the Solicitor’s office coupled with his service as an elected official have earned him the reputation as a honest, fair, and hard working trial lawyer. He has been awarded the Key to the Town of James Island, he sits on the advisory board to the Save the Morris Island Lighthouse, and is a regular lecturer at the College of Charleston, the Citadel, and Trident Technical College on the topics of Criminal Law and Local Politics.. Having come from a long line of attorneys who have served South Carolina in the Legislative and Judicial branches of State Government, Peter has a deep commitment to the people of the State of South Carolina. Peter and his law firm look forward to helping with you with all of your legal concerns and needs.

Richard “Dick” Ara Harpootlian is one of South Carolina’s leading courtroom advocates with 30 years of trial experience as a prosecutor, defense attorney, and civil litigator. Mr. Harpootlian’s dynamic and persuasive advocacy style and record of success has earned him a reputation amongst South Carolina’s legal community as a lawyer who can get results.. Mr. Harpootlian began his career as a prosecutor in the Fifth Circuit Solicitor’s Office. Within two years, he was named Deputy Solicitor and tasked with the administration and supervision of over 20 prosecutors and staff members. As the Fifth Circuit’s chief homicide prosecutor, Mr. Harpootlian personally prosecuted hundreds of murder cases, including 12 death penalty cases.. He defended one of those convictions on appeal before the United States Supreme Court. In 1983, Mr. Harpootlian earned a conviction in the prosecution of Donald “Pee Wee” Gaskins—South Carolina’s most notorious serial killer. Mr. Gaskins was sentenced to death. In 1990, Mr. Harpootlian was elected as Fifth Circuit Solicitor, winning by a margin of almost 2-1. He served from 1991 until 1995. As Solicitor, he personally prosecuted and obtained convictions in a number of high-profile murder, drug, and public corruption cases. In 1991, Mr. Harpootlian prosecuted and convicted ex-University of South Carolina President Jim Holderman for public corruption charges arising from the abuse of his office for personal gain.. For the last 20 years, Mr. Harpootlian’s private practice has earned him state and national recognition for his efforts on behalf of civil litigants and criminal defendants, including a number of multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements, some of which are listed here.. In addition to his law practice, Mr. Harpootlian has been active in South Carolina politics. He was popularly elected and served on Richland County Council from 1986 to 1991. He served as Chairman of the South Carolina Democratic Party from 1998 to 2003 and again from 2011 to 2013. During his first tenure as Chair, the Party elected Governor James Hodges, the first candidate to unseat an incumbent South Carolina governor, and five other Democrats to statewide office.. Mr. Harpootlian’s views as a commentator on law and politics are regularly sought by national news programs. He has appeared on 60 Minutes, Good Morning America, ABC Nightly News, NBC Nightly News, Dateline NBC, and various CNN, MSNBC, CNBC, and Fox News broadcasts. He is also frequently quoted in local, state, and national publications, including the New York Times, the Washington Post, the Boston Globe, the Los Angeles Times, and TIME Magazine.. Mr. Harpootlian has been invited to share his experience with bar colleges as a lecture for the South Carolina Bar Association on topics including class action litigation and criminal defense. For the last 20 years, he has lectured newly barred South Carolina lawyers during the Bridge the Gap Program. He is a former chair of the Criminal Law Section of the South Carolina Bar Association and a past member of the South Carolina Bar Board of Grievance and Discipline. He has served on the South Carolina Chief Justice’s Blue Ribbon Committee on Docketing and he is an adjunct professor at the University of South Carolina School of Law.