1720 Main St, #301 | Columbia, South Carolina 29201-2850

CONTACT US AT 800-701-0599

Author Archive

Jack B. Swerling

11 - 20 of 24

Page 2 of 3

⟨⟩

Slew of Arrests Underscores South Carolina’s Targeting of Online Sex Crimes

By Jack B. Swerling | Published November 1, 2021 | Posted in Criminal Defense | Tagged Tags: child pornography, online sex crimes |

Law enforcement agencies in South Carolina are focusing increased attention and investigative muscle on alleged child predators. Multiple arrests have been made as part of a multistate sting called Operation Home Alone. In this effort, involving federal, state and local law enforcement, deputies pretend to be underage teenagers using the internet. After an allegedly sexually Read More

South Carolina Bill Would Decriminalize Possession of Small Amounts of Marijuana, Reduce Other Drug Penalties

By Jack B. Swerling | Published September 1, 2021 | Posted in Criminal Law | Tagged Tags: bill H.3571, decriminalization, hashish, marijuana |

The South Carolina legislature is considering bipartisan-backed legislation that would decriminalize possession of small amounts of marijuana. It would also decrease penalties for first offenses of possession of certain amounts of cocaine or methamphetamine, requiring courts to order probation rather than jail time. The bill, H.3571, is aimed at reducing the drain on law enforcement Read More

Report Shows Major Surge in South Carolina Violent Crime Arrests

By Jack B. Swerling | Published July 1, 2021 | Posted in Criminal Law | Tagged Tags: felonies, most serious, violent crimes |

Violent crimes in South Carolina have risen significantly over the past few years, with gangs, drugs and illegal access to guns playing major roles in the surge, according to a recent report. Murders were up by 25 percent and aggravated assaults increased by 9 percent from 2019 to 2020, State Law Enforcement Division Chief Mark Read More

What You Should Know About Drug Trafficking Charges in South Carolina

By Jack B. Swerling | Published May 1, 2021 | Posted in Criminal Law | Tagged Tags: criminal defense, drug possession, drug trafficking |

Drug trafficking is a serious crime that can carry heavy fines and years behind bars if you’re convicted. However, many people have the wrong idea about what qualifies as drug trafficking. They may imagine a sprawling criminal enterprise that spans multiple states or involves a large distribution network. While drug trafficking can look like this Read More

Support Builds in South Carolina for Enacting Enhanced Penalties for Hate Crimes

By Jack B. Swerling | Published March 1, 2021 | Posted in Criminal Law | Tagged Tags: federal Hate Crimes Act, hate crimes, hate groups |

Lawmakers in South Carolina have renewed efforts to pass legislation that would more severely punish hate crimes. Currently, South Carolina is just one of three states without laws that impose enhanced penalties for crimes that target someone based on personal characteristics or membership in a particular class. A bill under consideration in the General Assembly Read More

South Carolina Murders Are on the Rise and They’re Highly Personal

By Jack B. Swerling | Published July 15, 2020 | Posted in Criminal Defense | Tagged Tags: aggravating factors, criminal intent, malice aforethought, murder |

A recent report on crime in South Carolina paints a troubling mixed picture. Though violent crimes in the state have decreased over the past decade, the murder rate has shot up. The 2018 Crime in South Carolina Book reports that murders increased by nearly 24 percent, from 317 in 2009 to 393 in 2018. What’s Read More

What is Breach of Trust With Fraudulent Intent in South Carolina?

By Jack B. Swerling | Published June 15, 2020 | Posted in Criminal Defense | Tagged Tags: breach of trust with fraudulent intent, embezzlement, fraud, theft, white-collar crime |

Breach of trust with fraudulent intent occurs when one person is entrusted with another person’s money or property, but intentionally converts those assets to their own personal use or benefit. The act is commonly known as embezzlement in other states and is considered criminal offense in South Carolina. This form of white collar crime can Read More

What Crimes Are Sex Offenses in South Carolina?

By Jack B. Swerling | Published May 15, 2020 | Posted in Criminal Defense | Tagged Tags: child pornography, criminal sexual conduct, indecent exposure, minors, offenses against morality and decency, prostitution, sex crimes |

Punishments for sex crimes are typically harsh in South Carolina, with some of these offenses carrying sentences on par with those given for crimes like manslaughter or attempted murder. However, “sex crimes” is a broad term that could refer to a misdemeanor or a felony, including anything from indecent exposure to bigamy to rape. Sex Read More

What are Considered Essential Businesses Under States’ COVID-19 Rules?

By Jack B. Swerling | Published May 13, 2020 | Posted in Criminal Law | Tagged Tags: COVID-19 |

During the coronavirus pandemic, previously bustling locations from malls to urban downtowns have gone eerily quiet. But your local pizza place might still be open, along with restaurants that can survive on takeout and delivery orders and, of course, grocery stores. After all, keeping people fed during an epidemic is critical, and food delivery and Read More

How Can Someone Be Punished if They Violate a COVID-19 Stay at Home Order?

By Jack B. Swerling | Published May 12, 2020 | Posted in Criminal Defense | Tagged Tags: COVID-19 |

Across the country, stay-at-home orders have strained law enforcement and tested how far states and municipalities are willing to go to enforce the orders. These directives have triggered controversy and confusion, as standards sometimes differ from town to town or county to county. In certain instances, people who have violated government edicts designed to reduce Read More

11 - 20 of 24

Page 2 of 3

⟨⟩

Contact us

Please fill out the form below and one of our attorneys will contact you.

Quick Contact Form

Our Office

Columbia Office
1720 Main St
#301
Columbia, South Carolina 29201-2850
Phone: (803) 765-2626
Fax: 803-799-4059

Jack Swerling In The News >>

Jack Swerling, Derrick Mobley and Alissa Wilson were successful in having a Judge rule after an extensive hearing, that the defendant was immune from prosecution based on the “Stand Your Ground” law in a murder prosecution. The Judgment was handed down on March 29, 2021.
Jack Swerling, Gregory Harris and Alissa Wilson obtained a Not Guilty Verdict in Lexington County on March 3, 2022. An Orthopedic Surgeon was charged with Involuntary Manslaughter in the accidental shooting death of a friend.
“When Jack is on my docket, I tell my law clerks, ‘You do not want to miss this. You are seeing one of the greatest trial lawyers in the state’s history.'” -South Carolina Circuit Court Judge
Jack was selected to Super Lawyers Magazine Top Ten List for 2019. Each year Super Lawyers recognizes the top lawyers in South Carolina via a selection process involving peer evaluations, independent research and professional achievement. The South Carolina lawyers who receive the highest points during this selection process are further recognized in the South Carolina Super Lawyers Top Ten List.
USA v. FRANK*: In a child pornography case, Swerling was successful in obtaining a 22 level variance reducing the defendant’s sentence from 8 years to 6 months.
STATE v. BORIS: The defendant was found not guilty by reason of insanity in a case where the defendant was involved in a shoot-out with 3 police officers.
STATE v. TYGER: Jack Swerling obtains a not guilty verdict in a criminal sexual conduct case in Beaufort County.
Pre Trial Dispositions: STATE v. DWAYNE: Mr. Swerling successfully argued for the dismissal of stalking and unlawful use of telephone charges brought against a prominent businessman in Florence County.

Criminal Law

Criminal Defense Practice

Appellate Practice

Select Civil Litigation Practice