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What is the most important thing I can do for my case?
- Keep your contact information up to date.
- Call us when you change your phone number or address.
- If we cant speak to you, we cant defend you.
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How do I apply for a Public Defender?
- Greenville County
- Jail
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If your family member or friend is in jail, the office of Indigent Defense will visit the jail and screen the individual for eligibility.
- Bond
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PLEASE READ THIS ENTIRE SECTION CAREFULLY BEFORE APPLYING!
- ****YOU MUST HAVE A COMPLETE LIST OF THE CHARGES AND THEIR CORRESPONDING FAMILY COURT PETITION NUMBERS****
- ****YOU MUST APPLY NO LATER THAN 14 DAYS PRIOR TO YOUR COURT DATE****
- THE STATE REQUIRES A $40.00 CASH APPLICATION FEE (NONREFUNDABLE). PLEASE BRING CORRECT CHANGE.
- YOU ARE REQUIRED TO BRING DOCUMENTATION OF HOUSEHOLD INCOME AND/OR GOVERNMENT AID/ASSISTANCE. THE FOLLOWING LIST INCLUDES DOCUMENTS THAT WILL BE REQUIRED DURING THE SCREENING PROCESS. THE SCREENING PROCESS MAY UNCOVER THE NEED FOR ITEMS NOT LISTED BELOW. THEREFORE, YOU MAY BE REQUIRED TO BRING IN ADDITIONAL FINANCIAL INFORMATION. FINANCIAL INFORMATION IS REQUIRED FOR EVERYONE LIVING IN THE HOUSEHOLD, INCLUDING CHILDREN.
- TWO OF THE MOST RECENT PAY STUBS FOR EVERYONE WORKING OR LETTER FROM EMPLOYER IF PAID CASH.
- PROOF OF INCOME FROM SOCIAL SECURITY, DISABILITY OR SSI INCOME.
- PROOF OF CHILD SUPPORT MONEY COMING IN OR GOING OUT.
- PROOF OF HOUSING/RENT ASSISTANCE (SECTION 8 OR HUD).
- PROOF OF MONTHLY FOOD STAMP AMOUNT (BENEFIT LETTER).
- PROOF OF INDIVIDUAL RETIREMENT INCOME.
- PROOF OF UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFIT AMOUNT.
- PROOF OF ANY COMMUNITY/CHURCH OR FAMILY ASSISTANCE.
- APPLICATIONS ARE TAKEN MONDAY - THURSDAY BETWEEN 9:00-10:00 A.M. OR 1:30-3:00 P.M.
FRIDAY ONLY 9:00-11:30 A.M.
INDIGENT DEFENSE
GREENVILLE COUNTY COURTHOUSE, ROOM 122
305 E. NORTH STREET
GREENVILLE, S.C. 29601
PHONE NUMBER 864-467-8527
- Magistrate Offense
- You may submit a request to the magistrate that a Public Defender represent you at your court date.
- Pickens County
- Jail
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If your family member or friend is in jail, the office of Indigent Defense will visit the jail and screen the individual for eligibility.
- Bond
- General Sessions
- You must apply at the Pickens County Clerk of Court's Office.
- Their address is 214 E Main St, Pickens, SC 29671.
- The application fee is $40 (cash only)(non-refundable).
- Please call 864-898-5598 prior to your visit. Certain documentation is required.
- Magistrate Offense
- You may submit a request to the magistrate that a Public Defender represent you at your court date.
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What types of cases do you handle?
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We only handle criminal charges.
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We DO NOT handle family law, divorce, civil suits, or any other type of law.
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What are the different types of Court?
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General Sessions
- Greenville
- This Court is located at 305 East North Street in Greenville, SC. This Court hears all felony cases, and many serious misdemeanors.
- Pickens
- This Court is located at 214 East Main Street, Pickens, SC 29671. This court hears all felony cases, and many serious misdemeanors.
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Magistrate
- These courts are established by the County of Greenville. They handle lower level misdemeanors, and the maximum sentence they may impose is 90 days. (There are a few exceptions, such as fraud check where the Judge may impose a sentence of up to 3 years).
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Municipal
- These courts are established by cities. (Mauldin, Greer, Greenville, etc.) These courts handle the same crimes as magistrates. The only difference is that they are established by the city, instead of the county.
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I have just been appointed a Public Defender. Do I need to go out and hire my own attorney?
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No. A Public Defender must comply with the same standards as the private defense bar. Staff attorneys have an undergraduate degree and a graduate degree in law. Every attorney is a licensed member in good standing of the South Carolina State Bar Association. All attorneys are required to continue their legal education by attending hearings and seminars on current and evolving legal issues.
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Who is my Public Defender?
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Greenville
- Call 864-467-8522 and tell the staff member your full name and date of birth. Then ask who your Attorney is.
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Pickens
- Call 864-898-5577 and tell the staff member your full name and date of birth. Then ask who your Attorney is.
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How do I contact my Public Defender?
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Call 864-467-8522 and ask to speak to your Public Defender. Many times your attorney will be unavailable because they are in Court, at the jail, or meeting with another client.
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The best method is to set up an appointment, or leave a voice message
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When should I contact my attorney?
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You are encouraged to contact your attorney if you feel necessary, but your attorney will ALWAYS contact you with important information or changes in your case.
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How does my case get resolved?
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When a defendant is arrested, a magistrate at the jail will set a bond. If the defendant cannot post this bond, or has a no bond the defendant will remain in jail.
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Once a Public Defender is appointed, they will file a Motion of Discovery request. Discovery is simply all the evidence that the prosecution has against the defendant. It may include written reports, forensic reports, witness statements, pictures, videos, the Defendants criminal history or other items.
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The prosecutor must provide discovery to the public defender in copliance with Court Rules.
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Once the attorney reads the discovery, they will review it with the client and conduct a further investigation into the case.
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Once your attorney has all the necessary information, The Public Defender will discuss the case and options with the client.
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The client makes the choice of how to proceed; either a trial or a plea.
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When is my Court date?
- General Sessions Court
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The prosecutor will send a post card informing you of your court date
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Keep your address up to date! A bench warrant will be issued if you dont show up. Not getting the post card is not an excuse.
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The prosecutor posts the docket for court dates.
- Check for your name here
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http://www.greenvillecounty.org/solicitor/solicitordockets.asp
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Click Greenville General Sessions / click Court Trial Docket
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Check each of the four event dockets for your name
- Magistrate Court
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Check your ticket or contact the magistrates office directly
- Some, NOT ALL, cases are posted here
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Why has a jury trial been requested?
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When you are arrested for magistrate or municipal court offenses, your first court date will be automatically set by the arresting officer.
- This court date is a bench trial, which means that the judge handles your case, and there is no jury.
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At the bench trial the officer prosecutes the case
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You are not provided with a copy of the police report or any videos or witness statements, to review for yourself.
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You may be required to defend yourself, if you have not requested a public defender
- Jury Trial Request
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When an attorney receives your case, they may ask the Judge for a jury trial.
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You may plea at any time, and requesting a jury trial does not require you to have one.
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Your attorney will receive a copy of the all the evidence against you, including police reports, videos, witness statements, etc.
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Your attorney will meet with the prosecutor ahead of time, and try and negotiate the best deal possible.
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If no deal is reached, the client may decide to plead guilty or proceed to a trial by jury.
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How long does it take to resolve a case?
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Each case is unique and different. Certain cases can be resolved quickly within one month, while other cases take months.
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There may be times where you do not hear from your attorney for several months. This is not unusual. During this time your attorney is working on the case by contacting the prosecutor, researching case law, or interviewing witnesses.
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When should I show up to Court?
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Always plan to show up 15 minutes early to Court.
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Resolving a case in Court takes time. Do not assume that while you are waiting nothing is happening. Your Public Defender is often discussing and resolving your case with the prosecutor.
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What should I wear to Court?
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You should wear clothes that show respect for the court and show that you are taking your case seriously. While you will still be allowed in the court room if you are dressed more casually, you may not receive the same level of respect and consideration as an appropriately dressed person would receive.
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You should never wear anything that glorifies crime or violence. Clothing that references guns, drugs or gangs are never appropriate. Additionally, women should refrain from wearing clothing that is tight-fitting, too short or too revealing; err on the side of dressing conservatively.
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I'm charged with a crime, I speak with the prosecutor?
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No, once you have an attorney the prosecutor is prohibited by law from discussing the case with you.
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All communication will go through your attorney.
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What is bond returnable court?
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When you are released from jail, the magistrate will provide you with your first Court date.
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This Court date is known as First Appearance.
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At this Court date the prosecutor will ask for your mailing address, so that they can mail you post cards telling you of your next court date.
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There is no judge at this date, and your attorney will not be present.
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You MUST attend this Court date, and your failure to do so will result in a Bench Warrant being issued. Once arrested on a bench warrant you will be held with no bond until your case is resolved.
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