Your Assault & Battery Defense Team in Myrtle Beach.
When you’re facing assault charges in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, you don’t have to navigate it alone. Chambers Law has been helping folks like you for over 20 years, offering clear guidance and dedicated support. A charge doesn’t define you—it’s just a moment, and we’re here to help you move past it. Call us today at 843-449-0420 to talk about your situation.
Understanding Assault Charges in South Carolina
South Carolina treats assault cases with care because they can impact your life in big ways—like adding a mark on your record that might limit future possibilities. But an arrest isn’t the end of the story.
Being accused doesn’t mean you’re guilty.
We’ll listen to what happened, whether it was a mix-up or something else, and work to lighten or even lift the charges you’re facing.
Persons who are convicted of assault and battery often face the following consequences:
- Imprisonment
- Fines
- Probation
- Mandatory counseling and/or anger management classes
- Assault Battery Jail Time and Fines
What does “Assault and Battery” Mean in 2025?
Back in the day, South Carolina split assault (a threat to touch someone) and battery (actually doing it) into two things. Now, they’re rolled into one under state law (S.C. Code § 16-3-600). It covers hurting someone or trying to when you’re able to. Simple, but it can get complicated depending on the details.
Breaking Down Assault Charges
Not all assault charges are the same—South Carolina sorts them into four levels based on what happened and how it affected the other person. Here’s a quick rundown:
- High and Aggravated (ABHAN): The most serious, like when someone’s really hurt or could’ve been, maybe with a big health risk involved.
- First Degree: Hurting someone during a crime like theft or burglary, or unwanted touching with bad intent. Also covers threats that could lead to serious injury.
- Second Degree: Moderate harm—or the chance of it—or improper touching without consent.
- Third Degree: Called “simple assault,” it’s when someone gets hurt or could’ve been, no extra factors needed.
If it’s between family or housemates, it might shift to domestic rules instead. With 25+ years of know-how, Attorney Chambers can often get charges lowered or dropped by sorting out the real story.
What Might Happen with a Charge?
The outcome depends on the charge’s level. Here’s what’s possible:
- ABHAN: A felony, up to 20 years away from home.
- First Degree: A felony, up to 10 years.
- Second Degree: A misdemeanor, up to 3 years.
- Third Degree: A misdemeanor, up to 30 days.
Anything involving a police officer counts as a felony. But Chambers Law knows these cases can get muddled—your side matters, and we’ll make sure it’s heard to keep you free and clear of a record.
Can Charges Go Away?
Absolutely, sometimes they can. We might talk with prosecutors to drop the case, trade it for something smaller, or show there’s not enough to hold up against you. An arrest is just a starting point—not a final answer.
Clearing Your Record
In Myrtle Beach and beyond, if your charges get dismissed or you’re found not guilty, you might be able to wipe them from your record. Some cases don’t qualify, but a pardon could be an option. Attorney Chambers can walk you through it whenever you’re ready to chat.
