Cocaine and crack cocaine charges in Columbia, South Carolina mean facing decades in prison—mandatory minimum sentences without parole, permanent felony records, and prosecutions where small amounts trigger trafficking charges carrying 25 years to life imprisonment.
Available 24/7 - Immediate Response for Cocaine Arrests
Whether arrested after a traffic stop on I-26 where officers found cocaine in your vehicle, charged with possession with intent to distribute following a search of your Columbia apartment, accused of trafficking after police discovered quantities exceeding statutory thresholds, or facing crack cocaine charges anywhere in Richland or Lexington Counties, South Carolina's harsh drug laws impose some of the nation's most severe penalties for cocaine offenses.
Matt McGuire has defended cocaine charges in Columbia for over three decades, understanding how illegal searches produce most drug arrests, how prosecutors pursue maximum sentences regardless of circumstances, and how to fight cases where constitutional violations, improper testing, or lack of possession evidence exists.
Cocaine prosecutions hinge on evidence obtained through searches, surveillance, and informant operations. Our expertise in challenging these investigative tactics creates opportunities to suppress evidence and defeat charges carrying mandatory prison sentences.
Aggressive Fourth Amendment challenges attacking illegal vehicle searches, home entries, and warrantless seizures that produced cocaine evidence requiring suppression.
Specialized defense against trafficking charges carrying 25-year mandatory minimums, challenging weight calculations, moisture content, and packaging included in measurements.
Exposing confidential informant credibility issues, paid source motivations, criminal histories, and histories of providing false information to law enforcement.
Questioning field test accuracy, crime lab procedures, chain of custody, and whether substances actually contain cocaine as charged.
Challenging possession with intent to distribute allegations, proving personal use despite prosecutor arguments about packaging, scales, or other circumstantial evidence.
South Carolina's cocaine laws impose devastating penalties with mandatory minimums that eliminate judicial discretion. We defend all cocaine and crack charges throughout Richland and Lexington Counties, fighting to protect clients from decades in prison.
Defense against possession charges under S.C. Code § 44-53-375 carrying up to three years imprisonment and $5,000 fine even for trace amounts of cocaine.
Defense against PWID charges based on weight, packaging, scales, or cash—carrying 15 years maximum for crack cocaine or 10 years for powder cocaine.
Defense against trafficking charges when weight exceeds 10 grams, triggering mandatory minimum 25 years without parole, escalating to 40 years for 28+ grams.
Defense against crack cocaine charges carrying harsher penalties than powder cocaine despite chemical similarity, reflecting discriminatory sentencing disparities.
Defense against enhanced charges adding 10 years mandatory when offenses occur within one-half mile of schools, daycares, or parks throughout Columbia.
Defense against manufacturing charges for converting powder to crack or processing raw materials, carrying enhanced felony penalties.
South Carolina law makes no distinction between user amounts and dealer quantities—10.1 grams triggers a 25-year mandatory trafficking sentence. We fight to challenge weight calculations and avoid these devastating sentences.
Cocaine charges threaten decades of your life behind bars. You deserve attorneys who understand the stakes, fight relentlessly against mandatory minimums, and explore every avenue to protect your future from life-altering consequences.
Aggressive defense aimed at avoiding trafficking charges and their 25-year mandatory minimums through weight challenges, suppression motions, and strategic negotiations.
Meticulous examination of every piece of evidence—search procedures, lab testing, chain of custody, and informant reliability—to find weaknesses prosecutors missed.
Cocaine arrests move quickly toward prosecution. We respond immediately to protect your rights during the critical window when statements, searches, and evidence preservation matter most.
Straight talk about your situation—the strength of constitutional challenges, realistic outcomes, and available options—so you can make informed decisions about your defense.
You'll never wonder what's happening with your case. We keep you informed at every stage, explaining developments and answering questions throughout the process.
Cocaine cases present numerous opportunities for constitutional and evidentiary challenges. Police and prosecutors frequently cut corners, creating defenses that can suppress evidence, defeat charges, or reduce exposure to mandatory sentences.
Attacking illegal searches of vehicles, homes, or persons where officers lacked probable cause, exceeded warrant scope, or violated your constitutional rights.
Challenging charges when cocaine was found in vehicles or residences with multiple occupants, requiring prosecutors to prove your knowing control.
Attacking trafficking thresholds by challenging moisture content, packaging weight, cutting agents, and precise measurement procedures used by law enforcement.
Questioning whether substances tested actually came from your arrest or were contaminated, mislabeled, or mishandled in crime labs.
Challenging traffic stops lacking reasonable suspicion, pretextual stops used as excuses for drug investigations, and extended detentions violating Fourth Amendment limits.
Exposing paid informants' criminal histories, motivations to lie, and histories of providing unreliable information to law enforcement.
Cocaine defense requires attorneys who understand both federal and state prosecution tactics, mandatory sentencing schemes, and every available defense strategy. Matt McGuire brings over 30 years of experience fighting the most serious drug charges in Columbia courts.
Over 30 years defending cocaine and crack charges in Richland County courts, fighting mandatory minimums and protecting clients from decades in prison.
Former Assistant Solicitor experience provides inside understanding of how cocaine cases are built, where they're vulnerable, and how to attack prosecutor strategies effectively.
Deep understanding of South Carolina's trafficking thresholds and mandatory sentencing schemes, focusing defense strategy on avoiding or minimizing these devastating sentences.
Three decades of relationships with Fifth Circuit prosecutors, judges, and court personnel essential to negotiating best possible outcomes in cocaine cases.
Understanding of both state and federal cocaine prosecutions, recognizing when cases may move to federal court and preparing defense strategies accordingly.
Cocaine convictions carry life-destroying consequences extending far beyond mandatory prison sentences. Understanding what's at stake reveals why aggressive defense against these charges is essential.
Trafficking defendants typically face high bonds or no bond pending trial, meaning months or years of pretrial detention while your case proceeds. We fight for reasonable bond conditions from the start.
Cocaine cases involve complex constitutional issues and severe sentencing consequences. Here are answers to questions Columbia defendants commonly ask about cocaine and crack defense.
Weight determines the charge. Simple possession applies to small amounts, but 10.1 grams of cocaine triggers trafficking with a 25-year mandatory minimum. We challenge weight calculations including moisture and packaging.
Historically, crack cocaine carried much harsher penalties than powder cocaine despite being chemically similar. While federal laws have reduced this disparity, South Carolina state law still treats crack cocaine more harshly.
Often, yes. If the initial stop lacked reasonable suspicion, if the search exceeded proper scope, or if officers violated Fourth Amendment protections, we can move to suppress the cocaine evidence entirely.
Constructive possession requires proof you knew about the cocaine and exercised control over it. When multiple people have access, prosecutors must prove your knowing control. We challenge these assumptions.
Many cocaine cases rely on paid informants making controlled buys or providing tips. We attack informant credibility, expose their criminal histories and motivations, and challenge surveillance and recording procedures.
Cocaine offenses within one-half mile of schools, daycares, or parks add 10 years mandatory to your sentence. We challenge proximity measurements and zone designations when possible.
Trafficking charges often result in high bonds or no bond. We fight for reasonable bond conditions immediately, presenting arguments for release while your case is pending.
Cocaine cases involving significant quantities, interstate commerce, weapons, or organized networks may be prosecuted federally. We prepare defense strategies anticipating both state and federal exposure.
With over 30 years of experience defending South Carolina, McGuire Law provides elite legal representation with national recognition. McGuire Law has grown from a small practice into one of the most trusted law firms in South Carolina.
McGuire Law is committed to each client's unique situation, and we don't believe in boilerplate solutions. Every case requires careful analysis, strategic planning, and aggressive representation.
McGuire Law serves all 46 South Carolina counties. We know these counties, their courts, their legal communities, and most importantly, the people who live here.
Matt McGuire received his B.A. from the University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill and his J.D. from the University of South Carolina.
Matt has served as a law clerk for a State Circuit Judge, an Assistant Attorney General for the State of South Carolina, and an Assistant Solicitor in the Fifth Circuit Solicitor's Office.
Matt is a proud husband, father of two, and a long-time resident of Richland County, South Carolina.
Don't let another day pass without proper legal protection against cocaine charges and their mandatory minimum sentences. Call McGuire Law now and experience the difference that personal, aggressive, and effective legal representation can make in your cocaine defense case.
Matt McGuire has defended cocaine charges throughout Columbia and South Carolina for over 30 years, fighting mandatory minimums and protecting clients from decades in prison in Richland County courts.
