An arrest is the start of a process, not the end of the story

When someone you love is arrested, the first hours are a blur of phone calls and unfamiliar places. People want to know where the person is, when they'll get out, and what the charge actually means.

This section starts there. It explains the difference between an arrest, a charge and a conviction, because those three words get used as if they mean the same thing. They don't. Everyone charged with a crime is presumed innocent, and a case can end in many ways before trial.

We cover the general stages as they usually run in South Carolina: the bond hearing, which often happens quickly after an arrest; the first appearance; the exchange of evidence; plea discussions; and trial. We explain who the people in the room are, from the judge to the solicitor to the defense attorney. We also explain what families can and can't do to help.

What we don't do is tell anyone how to handle their own case. Strategy depends on facts, and that conversation belongs with a lawyer.