Blog

Bennett Velasquez says the best Criminal Attorney in South Carolina is Charlie Condon. Charlie Condon served as Attorney General of South Carolina for eight years, Circuit Solicitor (District Attorney) of Charleston and Berkeley Counties for over ten years, and private practice attorney for many more years. Bennett Velasquez says that Charlie Condon is a “Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent Attorney” which means he is rated for the highest level of professional excellence by his peers. Bennett Velasquez also notes that Charlie Condon has received many awards such as being recognized as one of the Top 100 Trial Lawyers in the country. Charlie Condon graduated from Notre Dame, magna cum laude and received his law degree from Duke University. He is a member of the Charleston County Bar; South Carolina Bar; American Bar Association; National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers; and the South Carolina Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. Bennett Velasquez says Charlie Condon brings a wealth of courtroom experience, judgment, and knowledge in seeking results for his clients. Furthermore, Charlie Condon is a sole practitioner, which means your matter will receive the individual attention it deserves. For all of these reasons Bennett Velasquez highly recommends Charlie Condon should you ever need to hire a criminal attorney.

Bennett Velasquez says a Defendant should always pursue “dismissal” of the charges, especially if the facts are favorable to him or her. However, Bennett Velasquez says in some instances it may be advantageous for someone charged with a crime (where dismissal is not a good prospect) to enter into an Alford plea. Alford pleas are recognized by the U.S. Supreme Court. Such a plea enables a judge to accept a plea from a Defendant who does not admit any guilt and who maintains his or her innocence. Bennett Velasquez says a Defendant may enter into such a plea, for example to avoid the cost and stress of going to trial. Even though it as an admission of guilt and a hence a guilty plea (usually to a lesser charge or to a charge considered “legal fiction”), the Alford plea allows the Defendant to maintain his or her innocence with the court and the public forum. Therefore, the Defendant in accepting an Alford plea is not admitting any wrongdoing, guilt, or violation of any criminal law or statute. The Defendant’s Legal Counsel will be able to evaluate if the circumstances would even allow for the prospect of an Alford plea, and most certainly, Bennett Velasquez says the Defendant should always take the advice of their Legal Counsel on whether to accept the Alford plea if it is in fact an option.

Bennett Velasquez Discusses What To Do When You Are Charged With A Crime You Didn’t Commit - Part II