If you have been accused and charged with a crime you are in need of a seasoned criminal defense lawyer in Augusta, GA. Having a skilled and dedicated criminal defense lawyer on your side is key in order to protect your freedoms and to ensure that a proper legal defense is built to shield you. Dealing with legal charges in Augusta can be a highly distressing ordeal with even minor violations causing considerable impact on an individual's personal and work life. The repercussions of having a criminal record can be severe, leading to loss of employment, severed relationships and alienation from loved ones.
At Theos Law Firm we offer trustworthy legal representation to those who need it most. Our criminal defense team has over 50 years of combined experience and is committed to ensuring our clients maintain their freedom and move forward with their lives. From handling drug-related charges to more nuanced federal cases, sexual misconduct offenses and murder cases, we take a personalized approach to every case. By utilizing cutting-edge legal strategies and decades of combined experience, we provide the best opportunity to achieve the best possible outcomes for our clients.
We help clients overcome criminal charges in a wide range of cases, including the following:
If you are facing one or more of the charges above, it's imperative that you establish contact with a legal advocate ASAP. At Theos Law, you can rest easy knowing our phone line is always open. When your future is up for grabs, let our team of criminal defense lawyers fight for your rights. It all starts with a free consultation at our law firm in Augusta where we will educate you on the particulars of the charges you're facing and explain the next steps in our representation.
At this point, you probably have many questions in mind. Keep reading for more information on criminal law in South Carolina and some of our criminal defense specialties at Theos Law.
In South Carolina, criminal cases are classified into different categories based on the severity of the crime. Generally speaking, offenses that carry a maximum penalty of less than one year are considered misdemeanors. On the other hand, crimes that carry a punishment of more than one year in prison are generally classified as felonies.
Crimes in The Palmetto State are usually split into three categories: (1) Magistrate or Municipal Level Offenses; (2) General Sessions or Circuit Court State Charges; and, (3) Federal Crimes. Classifications are based on which prosecuting body has jurisdiction to prosecute a particular charge or offense. Regardless of which court your criminal charge is in, the Theos Law Firm has decades of experience protecting individuals from prosecution and assuring that the best possible outcome is achieved.
Understanding the difference between a misdemeanor and a felony crime can be challenging for someone facing their first charge. Misdemeanors are generally considered minor offenses, and can result in punishment by incarceration up to one year.
Conversely, felonies are more severe crimes which are punishable by incarceration of more than one year. Those charged with a felony may face significant fines and a prison sentences of over a year in a federal or state institution. Convicted felons may face difficulties after their release such as losing the right to vote and the right to carry a firearm. These penalties make it crucial to have a reliable criminal defense attorney in Augusta, GA.
It is not uncommon for legal cases to be resolved without a trial through a plea deal. In order to assure that the best possible plea deal become available it is crucial for your legal defense to properly build your defense and prepare your case for trial. Deciding to represent yourself or not hiring the best legal team will likely result in exposure to unnecessary penalties, fines and jail time.
At Theos Law Firm, we often receive questions from potential clients about when they should hire a criminal defense attorney for the charges that they're facing. Although each situation and client are unique, there are some common criminal situations to keep in mind. In general, it's always best to reach out to an experienced attorney as soon as you're charged or have been arrested.
Below are some guidelines to help you decide when it's necessary to retain a criminal defense attorney for your case in South Carolina.
Thinking about hiring a criminal defense lawyer when you're charged with a crime is a no-brainer for most, and for good reason. Our team of experience criminal defense attorneys can offer assistance with various offenses, ranging from minor crimes to more serious ones such as sexual assault and manslaughter. Regardless of the charges, navigating the legal system can be complex, and without the guidance of an experienced criminal defense lawyer, the situation can escalate rapidly. It is critical that you engage an experienced attorney as soon as possible!
As you may have observed in movies or television shows, the police might request you to provide a statement, giving the impression that you are not under arrest. Remember, it is within your rights to have a criminal defense attorney in Augusta, GA, present during questioning, and you should absolutely use that to your advantage. If possible, consult with an attorney before answering any questions or participating in any discussions with law enforcement.
In the event that law enforcement officers arrive at your residence with a warrant, it indicates that a judge has determined there is reasonable suspicion that evidence related to a criminal offense is present in your home. Regardless of whether they discover and confiscate anything, it is advisable to seek the guidance of a seasoned defense attorney to discuss the situation and receive assistance in determining any potential charges or locations they may investigate in the future.
Could you imagine being accused of something you didn't do? When you are accused or charged with committing a crime that you didn't commit defending yourself may seem straightforward but it can be an arduous task to see to it that the charges are timely resolved. It can also feel hopeless and like it's impossible for you to get someone to listen to your side. The truth is that anything you say or do can and will be used against you. To increase your chances of being cleared of charges, it's advisable to have a defense lawyer who can support your innocence and fight for your rights. Criminal defense attorneys at Theos Law don't just listen - we act swiftly and always with your best interests at heart.
The legal system for juveniles in South Carolina is different than it is for adults. It comes with its own complications and hurdles to overcome. If you your child has been accused of a crime it's imperative to get legal counsel swiftly. Failure to do so could be destructive to your child's life, your family or result in a exposure to jail time. Keep reading to learn more about just a few of the most common criminal defense cases we accept at Theos Law Firm.
In terms of common criminal offenses in South Carolina, DUIs top the list, especially regarding mindful drivers with clean driving records and no criminal history. Unfortunately for these drivers, a DUI conviction in South Carolina stays on your record and cannot be expunged. Even first-time offenses with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08 percent can be costly. Your insurance premiums go up for years, you may end up paying almost $1,000 in fines and fees, and there's a good chance you'll have to perform community service or serve jail time.
If your breathalyzer test result is more than .15%, you refuse the breathalyzer, or it is recorded as a refusal, your license will be automatically suspended, which complicates matters further. Throw in the possibility of interlock device rental, and your life may never be the same. For those reasons alone, it is crucial to approach such charges with the help of a DUI defense lawyer. At Theos Law Firm, our attorneys have years of experience in successfully fighting these types of charges.
Fortunately, if you or a loved one has been charged with DUI, there is hope. That's especially true if the accused has undergone a breath or blood test for DUI. In fact, cases that involve such tests are successfully beaten every day. At Theos Law Firm, we will thoroughly investigate your DUI case in Augusta and explore every possible angle to have it dismissed.
To begin that process, your criminal defense lawyer in Augusta, GA, may seek answers to many questions, including:
If you are dealing with drug-related crimes in Augusta or another city in South Carolina, it is crucial for you to understand the potential penalties involved. Possession of a controlled substance may fall under the category of a misdemeanor, but many drug offenses are considered felonies. Even a minor drug offense conviction can result in long-lasting negative consequences. As such, it's always advisable to explore your options and seek the assistance of a Augusta drug crime attorney. A skilled criminal defense lawyer can help safeguard your rights and may help achieve a favorable outcome.
One of the most frequent questions we hear at Theos Law is, "What does possession mean?"
Drug charges based on possession in South Carolina are divided into three categories:
However, the state also has other drug charges that are not based on the weight of the drugs. These include:
Possession-based drug charges in South Carolina are deemed "graduated offenses" with penalties that grow more severe based on the weight of the drugs. It's important to note that the charges can be based on either actual or constructive possession. Contact a criminal defense lawyer in Augusta, GA, today to learn more about the complexities involved with drug cases in Augusta and other cities in South Carolina.
Some of the most common drug charges we see at Theos Law include the following:
The simple answer to this question is a resounding "Yes." Drug paraphernalia can refer to various items such as pipes, bongs, syringes, scales, grinders, and rolling papers which are linked to drug usage, preparation, storage, or hiding. Even though some of these items may have legitimate uses, like tobacco pipes or medical syringes, they can still be scrutinized by law enforcement if there is proof of illegal drug use or intent.
If you are facing assault and battery charges, it is possible that you haven't actually physically harmed someone. Many people associate assault and battery with brutal beatings, but that is just one example. There are other situations that are less severe than what people typically imagine.
It's a common misunderstanding that physical injury is required for assault and battery charges. The fines, penalties, and jail time you may face depend on the severity of your charges and the number of offenses. Regardless of the degree of your charges, Assault and Battery is a serious offense that should not be taken lightly. The consequences of a conviction can be life-changing, and as such, your criminal defense lawyer in Augusta, GA, should work relentlessly to fight the charges being levied against you.
Though this list isn't comprehensive, here are some of the biggest factors that dictate the severity of your assault and battery charges:
Causing harm to someone or threatening to do so with the ability to carry out the threat can result in a charge of third-degree assault and battery. This misdemeanor offense is typically heard in municipal or magistrate courts and may carry a maximum sentence of 30 days in jail.
Causing harm or making threats to harm someone that results in moderate bodily injury can lead to charges of second-degree assault and battery. Additionally, touching someone's private parts without their consent can also result in charges of assault and battery in the second degree. This misdemeanor offense is heard in General Session court and can carry a maximum sentence of three years in prison.
Assault and Battery in the first degree can involve a number of actions such as inflicting an unlawful injury when kidnapping, touching a person's privates "with lewd and lascivious intent," and much more. Contact Theos Law Firm for more info on the degrees of Assault and Battery in South Carolina.
At Theos Law firm, we work tirelessly to ensure that our client's rights are not overlooked. Because unfortunately, the rights of everyday citizens are often trampled by law enforcement oversights and legal system failures.
That's why every criminal defense lawyer at our firm works hard to provide guidance and support throughout the legal process by keeping you informed of updates and as comfortable as possible during this trying time. Benefits of hiring Theos Law Firm include:
Unlike some criminal defense law firms in South Carolina, our team believes that everyone deserves a great lawyer when their freedoms are on the line. If you or a loved one has been accused of a crime in South Carolina, trust Theos Law to have your back without judgment.
AUGUSTA, Ga. – Augusta University Volleyball has unveiled its 2025 schedule. With the Peach Belt returning to three-game conference series, the Jaguars are set for a full slate of home and away matchups designed to prepare the squad for a competitive postseason.Season Opener: Augusta begins the season at the Florida Southern Tournament in Lakeland, Florida, facing Saint Leo and Hillsdale on September 5 before wrapping up with host F...
AUGUSTA, Ga. – Augusta University Volleyball has unveiled its 2025 schedule. With the Peach Belt returning to three-game conference series, the Jaguars are set for a full slate of home and away matchups designed to prepare the squad for a competitive postseason.
Season Opener: Augusta begins the season at the Florida Southern Tournament in Lakeland, Florida, facing Saint Leo and Hillsdale on September 5 before wrapping up with host Florida Southern on September 6.
Key Tournaments:
Home Opener: Augusta kicks off its home schedule on September 26 with a tri-match, hosting Middle Georgia at 3:00 p.m. and Mount Olive at 7:00 p.m.
Full Home Match Schedule:
Final Stretch: The Jaguars close the regular season with back-to-back road matches at USC Aiken on November 14–15. The Peach Belt Conference Tournament is scheduled for November 21–23
"The release of the 2025 volleyball schedule is exciting because it is an indication that the season is fast approaching and Jaguar Nation can get ready again for some big swings and blocks on the net. In addition, the backcourt will look to provide some excitement of their own with big dives on the hardwood while providing relentless defensive pursuits on the ball.
The Peach Belt has returned to the three match schedule for our conference, something that we ran with two years ago. There will be plenty opportunities to see your favorite Jaguar matchups throughout the season. The rest of the schedule is filled with opponents that will challenge us every night of play whether it is at home in the 'Berry' or away. We will get their best and in turn this will prepare us for what's to come in late November and December.
Come out and catch the Action!"
Fans of Jaguar Athletics can GIVE by clicking here. Fans of Jaguar Athletics can subscribe to the email listserve by clicking here. Fans can follow Augusta University Athletics at www.AugustaJags.com and receive updates on Facebook at Augusta University Athletics and on Instagram @augustajags
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - Augusta Commission member Tina Slendak, Sheriff Eugene Brantley and more officials met with over 40 members of the Montclair neighborhood Thursday afternoon.The meeting took place because the neighbors strongly oppose the possibility of a new Parker’s Kitchen being built in a vacant lot.The original plan was to build a doctor’s office, and the neighbors feel lied to as the new plan seems to mean more traffic to the area.“The traffic is a big concern. Where there were 34 accide...
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - Augusta Commission member Tina Slendak, Sheriff Eugene Brantley and more officials met with over 40 members of the Montclair neighborhood Thursday afternoon.
The meeting took place because the neighbors strongly oppose the possibility of a new Parker’s Kitchen being built in a vacant lot.
The original plan was to build a doctor’s office, and the neighbors feel lied to as the new plan seems to mean more traffic to the area.
“The traffic is a big concern. Where there were 34 accidents last year, 18 so far this year, and three in one day,” said Thomasine Deer, lives in Montclair.
Slendak says the plan for a doctor’s office fell through.
“I really think the neighborhood didn’t think it was going to be rezoned to anything that would allow for a convenience store, and I think that’s the surprise right there,” said Slandak.
Slendak says not to be upset with Parker’s or at the planning and zoning committees.
“If you want to be mad, you know your beef is with the developer,” said Slendak.
Deer says neighbors weren’t told anything, and that this caught them by surprise.
“For some people, the largest investment that they have is their home. And so you know that’s unfortunately, that’s what we’re having to go through,” said Deer.
Slendak says she is going to do everything she can to help, whether that means the project shutting down or it gets sent back to rezoning, but she isn’t sure how the ordinance would get changed.
With the number of accidents that occur in the neighborhood, Deer says having fuel trucks going in and out would be a bad idea.
The proposed Parker’s Kitchen is still in the early stages of planning, but neighbors say this was the first of many meetings, and they plan to reach out to more city leaders and explore legal actions.
Copyright 2025 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
Chuck E. Cheese is a lot of fun, but some adults may be hesitant to visit without a kid. There's now a solution for that.On Mo...
Chuck E. Cheese is a lot of fun, but some adults may be hesitant to visit without a kid. There's now a solution for that.
On Monday, the family-fun giant announced the launch of a spin-off called "Chuck's Arcade" with one of the first locations in Georgia. Here's what we know:
The company calls Chuck's Arcade a "modern-day love letter to the games and people who made Chuck E. Cheese great." It's particularly designed for adults with retro machines of Pac-Man, Mortal Kombat, Donkey Kong, and similar classics.
There are also games of today including racing simulators, VR games, Jurassic Park, Halo, and Connect Four Hoops.
Chuck's Arcade in Georgia is located at the Mall of Georgia.
Chuck's Arcade is on the first floor of the mall across from the interior entrance of Macy's.
Unlike at Chuck E. Cheese, most Chuck's Arcades are solely arcades that don't sell food. However, one of their locations is the Chuck's Arcade and Pizzeria in Kansas City.
Chuck’s Arcades are located in malls across the U.S. in:
Miguel Legoas is a Deep South Connect Team Reporter for Gannett/USA Today. Find him on Instagram @miguelegoas and email atmlegoas@gannett.com.
June 14 is set to be a busy day with Flag Day, President Donald Trump's birthday, and now 'No Kings' Day.This is a nationwide movement against Trump and his upcoming ...
June 14 is set to be a busy day with Flag Day, President Donald Trump's birthday, and now 'No Kings' Day.
This is a nationwide movement against Trump and his upcoming military parade, with events in Georgia and the rest of the U.S. Here's what we know:
Trump is planning a lavish military parade on June 14 which marks the U.S. Army's 250th anniversary and is Trump's 79th birthday. It will include 7,500 troops, 120 vehicles, 50 aircraft on the streets and in the skies of Washington, D.C. According to a planning document seen by USA Today, the parade and a series of related events in D.C. beginning next week will cost up to $45 million.
The public perception around this parade has been incredibly mixed. While some view this as a show of strength or national pride, Markus Schiller, the CEO of a German aerospace and security company, echoed what many of Trump's opponents feel:
"There's definitely a correlation between putting on a military parade and authoritarian regime...These parades are about sending message to other countries and also to domestic political rivals."
'No Kings' describes itself as a nationwide day of defiance by multiple groups including Indivisible, 50501, and Stand Up America.
"The flag doesn’t belong to Donald Trump. It belongs to us. We’re not watching history happen. We’re making it," organizers said on the No Kings website. "On June 14th, we’re showing up everywhere he isn’t—to say no thrones, no crowns, no kings."
Each event will look different depending on who is organizing it. Some may be simply flag-waving rallies, while others will be marches or full-on sign-waving protests. More than 20 are confirmed in Georgia:
Miguel Legoas is a Deep South Connect Team Reporter for Gannett/USA Today. Find him on X and Instagram @miguelegoas and email atmlegoas@gannett.com.
The historic Sibley Mill was a textile manufacturing site that closed in 2006. Located between the Savannah River and the Augusta Canal, the 21-acre site has contaminated soil and several buildings contaminated with hazardous substances. The commercially desirable canal-side location provided strong incentives for the site to be redeveloped. In 2010, the Augusta Canal Authority purchased the mill to clean up and redevelop the site. The site cleanup was completed in 2018.The Augusta Canal Authority used EPA’s Analysis of Brownfie...
The historic Sibley Mill was a textile manufacturing site that closed in 2006. Located between the Savannah River and the Augusta Canal, the 21-acre site has contaminated soil and several buildings contaminated with hazardous substances. The commercially desirable canal-side location provided strong incentives for the site to be redeveloped. In 2010, the Augusta Canal Authority purchased the mill to clean up and redevelop the site. The site cleanup was completed in 2018.
The Augusta Canal Authority used EPA’s Analysis of Brownfields Cleanup Alternatives (ABCA) checklist to guide the cleanup and redevelopment process. This checklist requires that the resilience of remedial options be evaluated in light of reasonably foreseeable changing climate conditions. The Augusta Canal Authority used climate change considerations provided by South Carolina Department of Natural Resources to understand and account for expected climate impacts. The site is vulnerable to more frequent and intense storms and flooding, which can impact the mobility of contaminated material left onsite.
By including current and future risks from environmental changes in its analysis, the Augusta Canal Authority was better able to understand potential vulnerabilities associated with their planned brownfields cleanup and to provide assurances to future site tenants or owners. In 2011, the Authority started a $1.3 million environmental cleanup which is expected to be highly resilient to climate projections developed for the area. Rather than isolate and cap contaminated material onsite, the Augusta Canal Authority excavated the contaminated soil and disposed of it offsite. With assurance that the site was cleaned up in a resilient and safe manner, Cape Augusta Digital Properties began a 75-year lease on the Sibley Mill complex in 2016. The property is being developed into a mixed-use technology park with a 20-megawatt data center, called Augusta Cyberworks.
How did they do it? | Applicable EPA Tools |
---|---|
Identified climate risks | Review the National Climate Assessment regional projection to better identify projected climate risks. |
Considered climate risk and vulnerability when evaluating cleanup alternatives | Use one of EPA's brownfields checklists to help consider anticipated climate changes in your Brownfields Corrective Action Plan. |
Selected a Brownfield Cleanup Alternative with Adaptive Benefits | Use EPA Brownfield Revitalization in Climate-Vulnerable Areas planning tool to help inform selection of appropriate adaptation option. Climate Resilience Planning Tool Use State or Federal guidance to help direct cleanup alternatives and decisions: Georgia Environmental Protection Division (GAEPD) Brownfield |
Waste sites, such as Superfund, RCRA, and Brownfields sites, are at potential risk from the impacts of climate change. See how sites are accounting for climate change during cleanup and redevelopment planning.