Strom Law Firm Columbia SC
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Animal Cruelty Lawyers

ย South Carolinaย  Animal Cruelty Defense Attorneys

Facing arrest and criminal charges is not something you should do alone. You need a knowledgeable, experienced attorney who understands your situation and cares about the outcome of your case. We believe everyone deserves a strong and robust defense and that no person is guilty unless proven otherwise. Having a lawyer you trust on your side can make all the difference in the outcome of your case. Hiring an experienced Animal Cruelty Lawyers can mean the difference between being sent to prison and walking away with your freedom.

Animal fighting is the act of training animals to fight, usually to the death, for the purposes of entertainment. Frequently, this activity is linked to illegal money-making and gambling. ย Several โ€œanimal crueltyโ€ laws are designed to protect domesticated pets, stray animals, wild animals, and farmed animals.

Until the 19th century, blood sports like bull baiting, bear baying, and cockfighting were common. In the middle of the 19th century, reform movements, which started in England, lobbied for animal welfare laws. These laws dictated animals were entitled to a certain level of care and treatment, and animal cruelty slowly became illegal in most developed countries.

Animal Cruelty Charges in South Carolina

According to South Carolina law Section 47-1-40, cruelty to animals can be defined as maliciously and intentionallyย maiming, wounding, torturing,ย mutilating a living animal, orย maliciously and intentionally killing an animal.

Intentional and Negligent Mistreatment of Animals

There are two basic types of animal cruelty, the intentional mistreatment of animals, and the negligent mistreatment of animals.Animal Cruelty Lawyers

Intentionally inflicted cruelty to animals is generally considered violent and deliberate animal abuse, for example:

  • Dogfighting and rooster fighting
  • Cruelly or inhumanely confining an animal.
  • Unnecessarily killing an animal.
  • Torturing, beating, or injuring an animal

Negligent cruelty to animals is failing to provide adequate care, for example:

  • Failing to treat a petโ€™s wounds or illness
  • Failing to provide water or food
  • Failing to provide sanitary living conditions
  • Failing to provide adequate shelter

Penalties for Cruelty to Animals in South Carolina

Depending on whether your action or inaction was negligent or malicious in nature, you could be found guilty of a felony or a misdemeanor.

  • Felony: Jail sentence minimum of 188 days and a max of 5 years, and $5,000 fine.
  • Misdemeanor (first offense): Jail sentence max 90 days, or a fine of minimum $100 or maximum $1,000, or both.
  • Misdemeanor (second and subsequent offense):ย Jail sentence max 2 years, or a fine of $2,000, or both.

Animalย Fighting and Baiting Charges in South Carolina

Dogfighting is now illegal in all 50 states. The federal government also prohibits dogfighting when criminal activity occurs over state lines. ย While dogfighting is often covered under laws against animal cruelty, it has garnered more attention due to its violent and brutal nature.

Animal cruelty is the most apparent negative aspect of dogfighting, but it is also linked to organized crime and other illegal activities.

According to South Carolina law Section 16-27-30, animal fighting and baiting are defined as any person who: owns an animal for the purpose of fighting or baiting, participates or causes any fighting or baiting of an animal, obtains by any means any structure to be used for the purpose of fighting or baiting any animal, allowing or permitting access to any structure with the knowledge that it would be used for the purpose of fighting or baiting any animal.

Penalties for Animal Fighting and Baiting

A person convicted of animal fighting or baiting is guilty of a felony and upon conviction is fined $5,000, or faces a 5-year jail sentence, or both.

You can be charged with animal fighting and baiting if it occurred on your property or if you were even in attendance, even if you had no direct involvement. Dogfighting and other forms of animal fighting can sometimes be pursued in federal court.ย ย The consequences of dogfighting as a federal crime are typically much more severe than a South Carolina charge for the same crime. Give us a call today for a free consultation. 803.252.4800

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Juries can be sensitive and react emotionally when presented evidence of harm to animals, especially domestic animals like dogs or cats. South Carolina judges have not hesitated in sentencing defendants to state prison for the abuse of animalsโ€”these cases are taken very seriously. ย If you arenโ€™t sure exactly what type of defense will best suit your case, call the Strom Law Firm, LLC, to discuss your case.

How this works

Step 1 - Welcome
In this step, you'll experience a warm welcome as you enter the Strom Law Firm.
1
Step 2 - Initial Meeting
You'll meet with professionals. They will go through the facts of your case, explain the entire process.
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Step 3 - Preparations
We builds your case by interviewing witnesses, conducting legal research, drafting pleadings, and hiring experts.
3
Step 4 - Trial
You'll learn that the firm is trial-ready. They've been preparing since day one and will guide you through the process.
4
Step 5 - Resolution
your case concludes with the firm hoping for a positive outcome. They assure enduring friendships and a commitment to being there for you, regardless of future legal needs.
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No obligations & no credit card required

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Mrs Vallery, who answered the phone took more care and attention to detail than any other law office, that I have called, in 2 years+. She diligently took notes to give to the lawyers and cared about my situation and let me actually tell everything without cutting me short. Out of over 100 law offices, this is rare treatment. Care. Consideration. That means more than anything going through this…
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My wife and I retained Bakari Sellers to represent our son in a case in Richland County. We found Mr. Sellers, his assistant Stephanie, and the rest of the staff at Strom, extremely courteous and professional. We really appreciated Mr. Sellers’ straightforward and honest approach. We believe this is a very competent law firm, and are satisfied with the legal outcome they achieved. We would highly recommend them!
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We retained Atty Jessica Fickling to help us after a terrible car accident. She and her paralegal Mallory were wonderful! Professional, skilled, savvy – we couldnโ€™t have asked for a better legal team. Many thanks!!
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I have been a client with The Strom Law Firm for thirty years and have been incredibly blessed to have the assurance that they will do everything possible to provide excellent service to my needs. Ally Benevento is exceptional and represents the firm in a professional manner.
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My experience with Mario and his staff was outstanding. When everyone said to give up my case with SSDI and after being poorly represented and losing. I had to file my own appeals and represent myself. I literally called every attorney in the book. Then I called Mario cold – I expected one more no! Well, this gentleman took my case and won. He knows the law and cares a lot. I am proud to call him my friend. If you need a professional to help you, call these guys.
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Thanks Olivia, It was a pleasure working with you. You were well prepared and presented our case in a very professional manner. I could not have ask for a better outcome. Working with everyone at the Strom Law Firm has always been a pleasure and I will be happy to recommend your Law Firm to anyone.
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Needed a lifesaver. I had gotten myself into a bad situation and the possibility of going to prison. Through the diligence and hard work done by attorney Alley B., I was able to walk out of that courtroom a free man. No tricks just hard down attorney work. She was an A1 professional and knew every inch of the Law pertaining to my case. For that, I am forever grateful.
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John Alphin was great. We basically worked together for 22 months. Bakari Sellers was also on the team and together those 2 guys were fabulous. Won the case and Iโ€™m still a client of Strom law firm. Thank you and awesome law firm.
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Strom Law Firm was really great and professional. I had a great experience with Mario as my attorney and his paralegal, Brian. These two are amazing, they worked very hard on my husband’s workman’s comp case and we were very pleased with the services and results ๐Ÿ‘. Brian was so prompt at returning phone calls and getting things ready for the case. I strongly recommend this firm for any of your legal matters. If I had to use you guys again, I would be happy to do so.
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Mastering Complex Legal Issues with Care and Compassion
Mario Pacella at Strom Law Firm LLC in Brunswick, Georgia, is a masterful, no-nonsense lawyer. His caring and compassionate approach, along with prompt responsiveness, sets him apart. Mario and the firm exhibit exceptional professionalism and attention to detail, emphasizing genuine care for every client.
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