Need a Lawyer in South Carolina Right Now? Call the Free Hotline.

I was just arrested in South Carolina — what do I do right now?

Stay calm and say as little as possible to police. Under S.C. Code 22-5-510 your bond hearing must happen within 24 hours of arrest, and for most charges a magistrate sets it, so the next few hours matter. Call 1-844-690-0555 — it's free and open 24/7 — and our AI legal assistant will give you clear legal information about the charge, the bond process and your rights before you say anything you can't take back. If you want a lawyer at that bond hearing, we can book a paid consultation with an attorney licensed in South Carolina. This is information, not legal advice.

Is this hotline really free, and is it the same as legal aid?

Yes, the call to 1-844-690-0555 is completely free, 24/7, with no income test. It is not legal aid and we're not a government or SC Bar program. When you call, you speak with an AI legal assistant trained on South Carolina and federal law that gives legal information — not legal advice. Legal-aid groups like SC Legal Services are excellent but are means-tested and only open during business hours. We exist for the urgent, after-hours moment: the 2am arrest, the eviction notice, the wreck on I-26. If you want representation, booking an SC-licensed attorney is a separate paid step.

Do I need a lawyer for a first-offense DUI in South Carolina?

South Carolina takes DUI seriously. Even a first offense under Title 56 (S.C. Code 56-5-2930) can carry 48 hours to 30 days in jail, and since the All-Offender Law took effect in 2024 a conviction requires an ignition interlock device for six months. A 0.16 percent or higher BAC pushes the penalties higher still. SC also has strict videotape requirements at the stop and the station that can make or break a case. While you can technically handle it yourself, the stakes — your license, your record, your insurance — are high. Call 1-844-690-0555 free to understand exactly what you're facing after a stop on I-85 or the Grand Strand, then decide whether to book a consultation with an SC DUI attorney.

How long do I have to file a personal injury claim in SC?

In most South Carolina negligence and personal-injury cases you have three years from the date of injury to file, under S.C. Code 15-3-530. But claims against government entities under the SC Tort Claims Act have much shorter notice and filing deadlines, sometimes just two years and with early notice requirements. Miss the deadline and your case usually ends permanently. Because SC's 51 percent comparative-fault rule also means early positioning on who's at fault matters enormously, don't wait. Call 1-844-690-0555 free to get information on your deadline and options, then book an attorney if you want one. Information, not legal advice.

What is South Carolina's 51% fault rule and how does it affect my crash claim?

South Carolina uses modified comparative negligence with a 51 percent bar. You can recover damages only if you were 50 percent or less at fault; at 51 percent or more, you recover nothing. Your award is also reduced by your share of fault — so if you're 20 percent responsible, you collect 80 percent. With heavy interstate and tourist traffic on I-95, I-26 and I-85, insurers fight hard to push your fault percentage up. That's why early legal positioning matters. Call 1-844-690-0555 free for information on how fault could affect your specific wreck before you talk to an adjuster.

Can I get a quick no-fault divorce in South Carolina?

No — and this surprises many people. South Carolina's divorce grounds are anchored in the State Constitution and set out in S.C. Code 20-3-10, and the only no-fault ground is one full year of continuous separation. Without proving fault — adultery, desertion, physical cruelty or habitual drunkenness — you must live apart for a year before you can even file on that ground. Adultery can also bar alimony entirely under 20-3-130, and marital property is divided by equitable apportionment, not automatically 50/50. Family Court handles it all. Call 1-844-690-0555 free to learn which path fits your situation, then book an SC family attorney if you want representation.

My partner and I never married — does common-law marriage protect me in SC?

Probably not, if your relationship is recent. Since the South Carolina Supreme Court's decision in Stone v. Thompson on July 24, 2019, no new common-law marriage can be formed in SC — a license is now required. The ruling is prospective only, so a common-law marriage that already existed before that date can still be valid, but you now must prove it by clear and convincing evidence. This catches many long-term unmarried couples off guard during a separation, a partner's death, or a property dispute. Call 1-844-690-0555 free for information on where you stand and whether you should book an attorney.

I got an eviction notice — what are my rights as a tenant in South Carolina?

Evictions in South Carolina run through Magistrate Court under the Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (Title 27, Chapter 40), and they can move quickly — often a five-day notice for nonpayment of rent. You do have rights and defenses, and the magistrate handles claims up to $7,500. Don't ignore the paperwork; deadlines are short and missing a hearing usually means you lose. Call 1-844-690-0555 free, any hour, and our AI assistant will explain the eviction timeline, your possible defenses and what to do next in plain English. SC Legal Services also helps income-qualifying tenants.

I was arrested for criminal domestic violence (CDV) in SC — what happens next?

Criminal domestic violence arrests in South Carolina typically route through magistrate bond court, and the magistrate often imposes a no-contact condition before you've spoken to anyone — meaning you may not be able to go home or contact your family. Remember the bond hearing must occur within 24 hours of arrest under S.C. Code 22-5-510, so time is short. Call 1-844-690-0555 free, 24/7, to get clear legal information on the charge, the no-contact condition and your bond options before that hearing. If you want a lawyer to appear, we can book a consultation with an SC-licensed criminal attorney. Information, not advice.

Can the hotline find me a lawyer near me in Charleston, Columbia or Greenville?

Yes. The free call to 1-844-690-0555 gives you immediate legal information for any South Carolina issue. If you decide you want representation, we can connect you with and book a paid consultation with an attorney licensed in South Carolina for your matter — whether that's a DUI in the Lowcountry, custody in the Midlands or an injury claim in the Upstate. We don't independently rate or endorse any lawyer's competence, and we're not the SC Bar. We simply make it fast and simple to get from your urgent question to a qualified, state-licensed attorney.