South Carolina District Attorneys
By Eric Harvey, J.D. | Legally reviewed by Melissa Bender, Esq. | Last reviewed November 28, 2023
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A district attorney (D.A.) is the prosecuting officer of a criminal case. This is the official who represents the government in prosecuting criminal offenses. In South Carolina, D.A.s are called “circuit solicitors."
They file charges and prosecute cases against criminal defendants in court. So, they often work closely with law enforcement to obtain evidence and build a case.
South Carolina Attorney General
The South Carolina Attorney General (A.G.) represents the state in legal matters. These legal matters include litigation and criminal appeals. The A.G. also enforces the state's consumer protection laws. Attorneys general and circuit solicitors are responsible for the administration of the criminal justice system in South Carolina. In handling criminal charges, attorneys general and circuit solicitors help law enforcement carry out enforcement-related duties.
Attorneys general and circuit solicitors handle the prosecution of all criminal matters. These include:
- Driving under the influence (DUI)
- Health care fraud and other forms of fraud
- Domestic violence and sexual assault
As the top attorneys in the state, attorneys general and circuit solicitors deal with the prosecution of criminal offenses under the state's criminal laws.
The Job of a Prosecutor
Prosecutors have some degree of discretion in deciding whether to bring charges. If they do bring charges, they decide what charges to bring and what punishments to seek. From time to time, you may have to talk with the circuit solicitor's office. It's important to be careful when you do so. What you say could be used in a variety of ways against you. But you may speak with them if they offer a plea deal. In that case, you'll want to work with a criminal defense attorney. A criminal defense lawyer can help with plea negotiations. Getting the legal assistance you need if you're facing charges or dealing with a prosecutor's office is important.
Remember that defendants don't have the burden to prove their innocence. Instead, prosecutors have the burden to prove each element of a crime. They must do so beyond any reasonable doubt. In making their case, they must rely on evidence that can be admitted in court.
Here, a strong advocate can be an advantage—it's up to a defendant and their counsel to challenge questionable evidence. So, it's up to the defendant and their counsel to challenge, for example, evidence that wasn't properly obtained. Such evidence might also be evidence that is tainted or unreliable. Defendants can challenge evidence by making motions to the judge. But questionable evidence can also help make a stronger case for a plea bargain.
South Carolina Circuit Solicitors by Circuit
Below are links to some of the prosecutor's offices in South Carolina. All its counties are organized into 16 judicial circuits, each of which has a circuit solicitor's office. There is also a separate prosecutor's office for the city of Charleston.
Calhoun, Orangeburg, Dorchester |
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Aiken, Barnwell, Bamberg |
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Sumter, Lee, Clarendon, Williamsburg |
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Chesterfield, Darlington, Marlboro, Dillon |
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Richland County (Columbia), Kershaw |
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Chester, Fairfield, Lancaster |
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Cherokee, Spartanburg |
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Abbeville, Greenwood, Laurens, Newberry |
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Charleston, Berkeley |
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Anderson, Oconee |
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Lexington Counties: Edgefield, McCormick, Saluda |
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Florence, Marion |
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Greenville, Pickens |
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Allendale, Hampton, Colleton, Jasper, Beaufort |
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Georgetown, Horry |
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York, Union |
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Note: We strive to provide the most current contact and website information available for the D.A. offices in this state. But this information is subject to change. If you have found contact or website information that is not current, please contact us.
Get Legal Help With Your Criminal Case in South Carolina
Remember, the district attorney is the prosecuting officer of a criminal case, and the D.A. has some discretion in whether to bring charges against someone. Before you reach out to the district attorney's office, it's important to discuss your case with an experienced criminal defense lawyer. They can give you an honest assessment of the evidence as well as strategies going forward.
It's important to know that you still have options if you can't afford an attorney. You could contact the public defender's office. Attorneys at the public defender's office provide legal representation free of charge to qualifying people. You could also contact South Carolina Legal Services (SCLS). Attorneys with this legal aid nonprofit organization provide free legal services.
If you need referrals for attorneys, contact the South Carolina Bar Association. The South Carolina Bar can provide referrals for free. If you're facing a legal problem in South Carolina, you have many options for getting legal advice and advocacy services.
Can I Solve This on My Own or Do I Need an Attorney?
- Complex criminal defense situations usually require a lawyer
- Defense attorneys can help protect your rights
- A lawyer can seek to reduce or eliminate criminal penalties
Get tailored advice and ask your legal questions. Many South Carolina attorneys offer free consultations.
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