Being arrested or charged with a crime in South Carolina marks one of life's most terrifying moments—handcuffs, police vehicles, detention centers, and suddenly you're thrust into a complex legal system where mistakes made in the first 48 hours can determine whether you keep your freedom or lose everything.
Available 24/7 - Immediate Response When Every Moment Counts
Criminal allegations transform ordinary South Carolina residents into defendants facing prosecutors who measure success by conviction rates, not justice, whether you're arrested in Richland County, Charleston County, Greenville County, or any jurisdiction across our state. Perhaps police stopped your vehicle on I-85 and found something you didn't know was illegal, a domestic argument escalated and someone called 911, workplace accusations led to theft charges, or you're facing allegations you never anticipated.
Matt McGuire has protected South Carolinians' constitutional rights for more than three decades, appearing in courtrooms from Oconee County to Horry County with a statewide reputation for aggressive defense that holds prosecutors to their burden of proof. Call (888) 499-5738 immediately—McGuire Law operates 24/7/365 because the hours after arrest are critical, and we begin fighting for you the moment you reach out.
Facing South Carolina's criminal justice system alone means fighting against prosecutors with unlimited resources, law enforcement with investigative powers, and a system designed to convict. Matt McGuire levels the playing field with expertise developed over three decades in courtrooms statewide.
Defending clients in magistrate courts, municipal courts, and general sessions courts from Oconee County to Horry County with established relationships throughout South Carolina's legal community.
Identifying constitutional violations during arrests, traffic stops, searches, and interrogations that lead to evidence suppression and case dismissals throughout South Carolina.
Former Assistant Attorney General and Assistant Solicitor background provides invaluable insight into prosecution strategies, plea negotiations, and courtroom tactics.
Immediate representation at bond hearings to secure release conditions that protect your employment, family obligations, and ability to participate in your defense.
Access to private investigators, forensic experts, and technical specialists who uncover evidence prosecutors miss or deliberately ignore in building cases.
The hours following arrest determine the trajectory of your entire case. Avoiding these common errors can mean the difference between conviction and freedom.
Believing if you just explain the situation they'll understand and release you. Police interrogations are designed to build cases, not find truth. Remain silent.
Hoping cooperation proves innocence when it only provides evidence against you. Never consent to vehicle, home, or phone searches without a warrant.
Posting about your case, discussing details with friends, or making statements that prosecutors screenshot and use against you at trial.
Waiting weeks while witnesses disappear, surveillance footage gets erased, and prosecutors solidify their case unchallenged against you.
Accepting the first plea offer without investigation or understanding whether prosecutors can actually prove charges beyond reasonable doubt.
Discussing your case with cellmates or other defendants where conversations are recorded and used as evidence by prosecution.
Police and prosecutors assume you'll waive your rights without understanding consequences. Don't cooperate your way into prison.
When you're facing criminal charges that could destroy your career, family, and freedom, you need an attorney whose commitment matches the stakes. These principles define how we fight for every South Carolina defendant.
Arrests happen at 2 AM, on weekends, and holidays. We answer when you call because the hours after arrest determine your case's trajectory.
We don't accept prosecution narratives. Our team interviews witnesses, subpoenas footage, and builds independent cases that challenge every assumption.
Your rights aren't optional. We file suppression motions, challenge illegal searches, and hold law enforcement accountable for constitutional violations.
You speak directly with Matt McGuire throughout your case. Criminal defense is too important for delegation to associates or paralegals.
Prosecutors know we'll go to trial when offers are inadequate. This reputation strengthens every negotiation and protects your interests.
Multiple agencies with overlapping jurisdiction investigate criminal allegations throughout South Carolina, each with different resources and tactics requiring specialized defense strategies.
Troopers conducting traffic stops on interstates and highways throughout SC, often escalating minor violations into drug or weapons charges.
Including Richland, Greenville, Charleston, Spartanburg, Horry, and 41 others investigating crimes within their jurisdictions.
South Carolina Law Enforcement Division handling major crimes, public corruption, computer crimes, and investigations crossing county lines.
From Columbia Police, Greenville Police, Charleston Police to small-town forces across South Carolina with full arrest authority.
FBI, DEA, ATF, Secret Service, and Homeland Security investigating crimes with federal jurisdiction and harsher sentencing guidelines.
Multi-jurisdictional operations combining local, state, and federal resources targeting drug trafficking, gang activity, and organized crime.
Prosecutors prepare cases expecting defendants to accept plea deals without fighting. When Matt McGuire represents you, they know they're facing an attorney who will exploit every weakness in their case and take them to trial if necessary.
Experience as Assistant Attorney General and Assistant Solicitor reveals how prosecutors build cases, make charging decisions, and where their strategies are vulnerable to attack.
Known throughout South Carolina's 46 counties for aggressive advocacy that prosecutors and judges respect. This reputation influences every negotiation and courtroom interaction.
Offices in Columbia, Charleston, Myrtle Beach, and Spartanburg providing immediate response and strategic presence throughout South Carolina.
Immediate action to secure surveillance footage, witness statements, and physical evidence before automatic deletion or disappearance weakens your defense.
Relationships with forensic specialists, medical professionals, and technical experts who provide testimony challenging prosecution theories and evidence.
Criminal charges create consequences extending far beyond potential incarceration. Understanding what's truly at stake reinforces why aggressive defense representation matters from day one.
Right to remain silent. Presumption of innocence. Right to confront witnesses. Unanimous jury verdict. Speedy trial protections. We assert every right aggressively.
When you're facing criminal charges, uncertainty compounds fear. Here are direct answers to the questions South Carolina defendants ask most often about their cases and rights.
Never. Police interrogations are designed to build cases against you, not find truth. Exercise your right to remain silent and request an attorney immediately. Nothing you say will help.
A magistrate judge determines release conditions including cash bond amounts, GPS monitoring, no-contact orders, and curfews. Matt McGuire advocates for conditions that protect your employment and family.
Yes. Evidence obtained through illegal searches, coerced confessions, or constitutional violations can be suppressed through pretrial motions, potentially destroying the prosecution's case entirely.
Magistrate courts handle misdemeanors and preliminary hearings. General sessions courts try felonies before juries. Strategy differs significantly between these courts.
Never accept any plea without thorough investigation of whether prosecutors can actually prove charges beyond reasonable doubt. Many "strong" cases collapse under scrutiny.
Cases range from weeks to years depending on complexity, evidence issues, and court schedules. We fight for speedy resolution while ensuring thorough preparation protects your rights.
Federal prosecutions involve different procedures, harsher sentencing guidelines, and specialized courtroom strategies. Matt McGuire has extensive federal court experience protecting clients.
South Carolina allows expungement of dismissed charges and certain completed cases. Eligibility depends on the specific charge and outcome. We guide clients through the expungement process.
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.
Police and prosecutors assume you'll waive your rights and cooperate your way into conviction. Don't let them. 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 Matt McGuire immediately at (888) 499-5738 for aggressive defense representation. With offices in Columbia, Charleston, Myrtle Beach, and Spartanburg, our firm provides immediate response statewide with over 30 years of experience protecting constitutional rights in all 46 counties. Don't navigate the criminal justice system alone—call now, chat online, or schedule your free consultation.
