A subpoena, an arraignment, and an expungement are terms that often come up when someone is facing a criminal charge. Greg McCollum explains what each one means, including how arraignment and expungement work in South Carolina.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a subpoena?
A subpoena is simply a court document which is issued to require someone either to come to court or to bring something to court in the context of a trial. So, if a person is charged with a crime and there’s evidence that would help them or exonerate them, the subpoena can be used to require the person with that evidence to bring it to court.
What is an arraignment?
An arraignment is when a person goes in front of a judge and is formally advised of what the charges are against him or her. In South Carolina, it’s a little bit different: arraignment is really more of a bond hearing, but the local jurisdiction has an arraignment process which happens much later in a case, where a person advises the court, in front of a judge, whether the person is going to accept the plea offer or proceed to trial.
What is expungement?
Expungement is the destruction of arrest records. In other words, when a person is arrested and records of that arrest are created, which are public, expungement simply means the destruction of those records. It’s done through a court order. In South Carolina, if the charges are dismissed or dropped the person is entitled to an expungement.
Greg McCollum has 30 years of experience and is a former prosecutor. If you are facing a criminal charge in South Carolina, understanding terms like these can help you make informed decisions about your case.
If you have questions about subpoenas, arraignments, and expungement, call the Greg McCollum Complete Legal Defense Team at (843) 626-5480. Consultations are confidential.