In South Carolina, the right time to call a criminal defense attorney is the moment an arrest begins or appears likely, at any hour of the day or night. Reaching out early can help protect a person’s rights before the first bond hearing, which under state law must take place within 24 hours of arrest. The Greg McCollum Complete Legal Defense Team accepts arrest emergency calls around the clock in the Myrtle Beach area.
The Best Time to Call Is Right Now
An arrest can happen at any moment, on a weekday afternoon, a Saturday evening, or the middle of the night. In South Carolina, there is no wrong time to reach out about an arrest that is happening or about to happen. Because the early hours after an arrest can shape what follows, including the bond hearing that state law requires within 24 hours, calling as soon as possible gives an attorney more time to help.
Most people going through an arrest will not have an attorney physically walking them through the booking process. That does not mean waiting is the better option. The sooner the Greg McCollum Complete Legal Defense Team hears from a person or a family member, the sooner the situation can be assessed and next steps can be discussed.
Watch Greg McCollum explain this in detail:
Attorneys Can Sometimes Communicate With Law Enforcement During an Arrest
In certain situations, South Carolina officers will speak with a defense attorney while an arrest is still unfolding. This is not the case every time and depends on the circumstances, but having counsel reachable during those moments can matter. A brief conversation may help clarify what is happening and remind everyone involved of the person’s rights.
Because these windows can be short, a person who is being arrested, or a family member nearby, benefits from calling quickly rather than waiting until the process is complete.
What Happens When You Call After Hours
A call placed late at night or on a weekend first goes through an answering service. From there, the service sends a text message to whoever is on call, and that attorney returns the call as soon as possible. There may be a short delay before the callback comes through, which is a key reason to call right away rather than waiting.
Using the time before the callback wisely can help. A person who has been arrested in South Carolina has the right to remain silent and the right to an attorney, and choosing not to discuss the facts of the case with law enforcement until counsel is reached can prevent statements that may later be used in court.
Why the First 24 Hours Matter in South Carolina
Under South Carolina law, a person charged with a bailable offense must have a bond hearing within 24 hours of arrest. These hearings are usually held by a magistrate or municipal judge, even on weekends and holidays, and the judge weighs whether the person is a flight risk or a danger to the community when setting conditions of release. For the most serious offenses, such as those punishable by life imprisonment, a circuit court judge sets bond, and that process can take longer.
Having an attorney involved before that hearing can help. In many cases, what is presented at the bond hearing shapes whether a person is released and under what conditions, so early contact with the Greg McCollum Complete Legal Defense Team gives an attorney time to prepare.
Frequently Asked Questions
How soon after an arrest should someone call a lawyer in South Carolina? As soon as possible. Calling right when an arrest happens, at any hour, gives an attorney the most time to help before the bond hearing that state law requires within 24 hours.
Can a lawyer really do anything in the middle of the night? Yes. Arrest emergency calls are accepted around the clock. After hours, a call goes through an answering service to the on-call attorney, who returns the call as soon as possible.
Will police let a lawyer get involved during an arrest? Sometimes. In certain situations, South Carolina officers will speak with a defense attorney while an arrest is happening, though this depends on the circumstances.
What should a person do while waiting for a callback? A person who has been arrested has the right to remain silent and the right to an attorney. Declining to discuss the facts of the case until counsel is reached can help avoid statements that may be used later.
What happens at a bond hearing in South Carolina? A magistrate or municipal judge decides whether to release the person and under what conditions, weighing flight risk and danger to the community. For offenses punishable by life imprisonment, a circuit court judge sets bond.
Why Greg McCollum
Greg McCollum brings 30 years of criminal defense experience in South Carolina, along with a background as a former prosecutor that offers insight into how the state builds and presents its cases. That combination can help a person facing an arrest understand the process ahead and the options available under South Carolina law.
If you have questions about calling a lawyer during an arrest, call the Greg McCollum Complete Legal Defense Team at (843) 626-5480. Consultations are confidential.
