Felonies Trusted Counsel for Greenville and Spartanburg

Greenville Felony Defense Attorneys

Trial-Ready Representation for Serious Charges in Greenville County

A felony charge carries consequences that can reach into nearly every part of your life, from your liberty and finances to your employment, housing, family relationships, and immigration status. A charge isn’t a conviction, and the defense options available to you depend on the specific allegations, the evidence, your record, and where the case stands procedurally. What matters now is having an attorney who will dig into the details from the start.

At Sarratt & Horta Vorse, P.A., we represent individuals facing felony charges in Greenville and the surrounding areas. Our attorneys prepare every case as though it may go before a jury in South Carolina General Sessions Court, which handles felony criminal matters in Greenville County as part of the 13th Judicial Circuit. We examine the facts, explain your legal options clearly, and build the kind of trust that comes from thorough preparation, not shortcuts.

Maria Horta Vorse is a native Spanish speaker and one of only a handful of Spanish-speaking criminal defense attorneys serving the Greenville area. If Spanish is your primary language, you can speak with Maria directly, in Spanish, without relying on an interpreter. If you’re searching for a felony attorney in Greenville, our trial-ready preparation comes with direct, clear communication throughout your case.

Call (864) 635-6145 or contact us online to schedule an initial consultation with our Greenville felony defense lawyers. Se habla español.

Potential Consequences of a Felony Conviction

A felony conviction in South Carolina carries severe and lasting consequences that extend far beyond prison time and fines. A felony on your record creates significant obstacles to finding a job and securing housing, as many employers and landlords conduct background checks and may deny applications based on criminal history.

A felony conviction can also affect fundamental civil rights. Under South Carolina law, a person convicted of a crime punishable by more than one year in prison faces restrictions on firearm possession, subject to statutory exceptions and the interaction of state and federal law. Voting rights in South Carolina are automatically restored once a sentence is fully satisfied, including any period of probation, parole, or community supervision. The specific effect of a conviction on your rights depends on the offense, the sentence imposed, your supervision status, and applicable law.

A conviction may also affect your professional and personal life. It may lead to the suspension or revocation of professional licenses, making it difficult to work in fields like law, medicine, or education. For non-citizens, a felony conviction can have serious immigration consequences, including deportation. A felony charge can also impact child custody and visitation rights. Any decision about how to handle a felony charge, including whether to accept a plea, should be made with the guidance of an attorney who understands all of these potential consequences.

Types of Felony Charges We Handle

The details that determine how an offense is charged also shape the defense. We examine the alleged conduct, evidence, injuries, property value, weapon involvement, and prior record rather than relying on the charge’s label alone.

We represent clients charged with:

Our defense approach isn’t limited to one felony category. If you need a felony lawyer in Greenville, we can build the strategy around the facts, evidence, and procedural posture of your case.

Work With a Trial-Ready Greenville Defense Team

We prepare every felony case for the possibility of trial, investigate the details, and explain your options so you understand what comes next.

Call (864) 635-6145 or contact us online to schedule an initial criminal defense consultation. Consultations are available in English and Spanish.

How a Felony Case Moves Through South Carolina’s Courts

Greenville County is part of South Carolina’s 13th Judicial Circuit. Felony cases and other criminal matters carrying penalties above the summary-court threshold are handled in South Carolina General Sessions Court.

The South Carolina Judicial Branch identifies several proceedings that may arise in a General Sessions case. A bond hearing is typically among the first, addressing whether you can be released from custody and under what conditions. A preliminary hearing, if requested, gives a magistrate or municipal judge the opportunity to review whether probable cause supports the charge. Grand jury review is another stage at which the state must establish a basis to proceed. The exact sequence, timing, and significance of each stage depend on the charge, your custody status, and the specific facts of the case. Our attorneys can explain where your case stands and what needs to be addressed next.

Felony Charges in South Carolina: What Changes the Severity

South Carolina felony classifications and penalties vary depending on the alleged conduct, the degree of injury or harm, the property value involved, the substance or weapon at issue, the victim relationship, and prior convictions. The same general category can contain offenses with very different elements and penalties.

Our attorneys defend individuals charged with:

Felony drug crimes. The severity of these charges and the accompanying penalties depend on the type and quantity of the substance involved. We defend clients against felony charges like drug possession with intent to distribute (PWID), drug distribution, manufacturing, and trafficking.
Felony DUI. While a first-offense DUI is typically a misdemeanor, a DUI can become a felony under South Carolina law when it causes moderate bodily injury or property damage above the statutory threshold, or when it results in great bodily injury or death. We can challenge the evidence in these cases, including the validity of test results and the circumstances of the stop.
Felony domestic violence. South Carolina law has specific classifications for felony domestic violence charges. Domestic violence in the first degree and domestic violence of a high and aggravated nature (DVHAN) each require proof of specific statutory elements. The distinction can depend on the alleged conduct, the degree of injury, weapon use, prior convictions, and other aggravating circumstances. We can review the allegations and identify the defenses that apply to your case.
Felony gun crimes. South Carolina law places limits on who can possess a firearm and where they can carry it. We can defend against a variety of felony gun crimes, including possession of a firearm by a person convicted of a violent crime, unlawful possession of a stolen firearm, and the use of a firearm to commit another felony.
Felony sex crimes. In South Carolina, criminal sexual conduct is often graded by degree, with a higher degree indicating a more serious offense. A conviction can lead to severe penalties, including a long prison sentence and mandatory registration as a sex offender. Our firm can represent individuals charged with felony sex crimes, including criminal sexual conduct, sexual exploitation of a minor, and spousal sexual battery.
Felony theft crimes. The value of the stolen property frequently determines whether a theft charge becomes a felony. South Carolina classifies larceny of property valued in excess of $2,000 as grand larceny, which is a felony. The maximum penalty differs depending on whether the value exceeds $2,000 or $10,000. We also handle cases involving burglary, where entering a dwelling with the intent to commit a crime can be a felony offense, and armed robbery, which involves the use of a deadly weapon to commit a theft.
Felony traffic violations. While many traffic offenses are misdemeanors, certain violations can rise to the level of a felony. Examples include a hit-and-run that results in great bodily injury or death, or reckless homicide. We represent clients facing these serious traffic charges.
Felony violent crimes. We defend clients charged with offenses such as assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature, kidnapping, manslaughter, attempted murder, or murder.

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