State law establishes three categories of misdemeanors that a Beaufort resident may be charged with. Under S.C. Code §16-1-20, Class C misdemeanors are punishable by a maximum of one year in jail, while Class B misdemeanor convictions may lead to a two-year jail sentence. Repeat convictions for unclassified misdemeanors often result in subsequent offenses being prosecuted as Class C or Class B misdemeanors.
Finally, Class A misdemeanors can be punished by up to three years in jail and include offenses like shoplifting, second-degree assault, and contributing to a minor’s delinquency. A qualified misdemeanor criminal legal advisor could help a local resident reduce their charges and protect their rights.