Methamphetamine charges across South Carolina carry some of the state's most severe drug penalties—mandatory minimum 25-year sentences for trafficking amounts measured in grams, life imprisonment for manufacturing, and federal prosecution threatening decades.
Available 24/7 - Statewide Representation for Methamphetamine Charges
Whether arrested for meth possession in Columbia, charged with trafficking in Charleston or Greenville, accused of manufacturing in rural Upstate counties, or facing precursor chemical violations anywhere across South Carolina's 46 counties, these prosecutions mean decades in prison even for first-time offenders caught with quantities prosecutors allege indicate distribution.
Matt McGuire has defended methamphetamine charges across South Carolina for over three decades, understanding how low trafficking thresholds criminalize user amounts, how manufacturing charges apply to rudimentary production attempts, and how prosecutors stack charges seeking maximum sentences.
Meth cases demand attorneys who understand the chemistry behind manufacturing charges, the surveillance tactics used in trafficking investigations, and the constitutional violations that create suppression opportunities. Our statewide practice brings this expertise to courts in all 46 counties.
Challenging manufacturing charges by attacking intent, proving incomplete attempts, and demonstrating that precursor possession involved legitimate purposes rather than meth production.
Fighting mandatory minimums through aggressive weight challenges, arguing moisture content, packaging materials, and cutting agents shouldn't count toward trafficking quantities.
Exposing flaws in multi-agency task force investigations, challenging informant reliability, and attacking surveillance procedures that violated constitutional protections.
Defending against pseudoephedrine and precursor possession charges, proving legitimate uses and challenging smurfing allegations when pharmacy monitoring systems flag purchases.
Over 30 years appearing in General Sessions Courts throughout South Carolina's 46 counties, from Upstate to Lowcountry, with established relationships essential to effective defense.
South Carolina's meth laws impose crushing penalties for trafficking, manufacturing, and even simple possession. We defend all methamphetamine charges throughout the state, fighting mandatory minimums that threaten decades or life imprisonment.
Defense against trafficking charges under S.C. Code § 44-53-375 when weight exceeds 10 grams, triggering mandatory minimum 25 years without parole, escalating to 40 years for 28+ grams.
Defense against manufacturing charges carrying 10 years to life imprisonment, including "shake and bake" methods and incomplete production attempts.
Defense against possession with intent to distribute charges for amounts below the 10-gram trafficking threshold, carrying up to 15 years imprisonment.
Defense against simple possession charges carrying up to three years even for trace amounts, pursuing alternatives that avoid felony convictions.
Defense against possession of pseudoephedrine, anhydrous ammonia, lithium, or other precursor chemicals with alleged manufacturing intent.
Defense against the mandatory 10-year enhancement when manufacturing allegedly occurs in the presence of minors under 18.
South Carolina counts the entire mixture weight—cutting agents, adulterants, and packaging materials—toward trafficking thresholds. Ten grams of heavily cut meth triggers the same 25-year mandatory minimum as pure crystal. We challenge these calculations aggressively.
Methamphetamine charges can mean spending the rest of your productive years in prison. We approach every case with the understanding that your freedom, your family, and your future depend on aggressive, knowledgeable defense.
Meth charges occur throughout South Carolina—from mountain counties to coastal areas. We appear in courts across all 46 counties, bringing consistent expertise wherever your case is prosecuted.
We understand meth lab investigations, precursor tracking, and manufacturing evidence. This knowledge enables effective challenges to charges that less experienced attorneys miss.
Meth arrests move quickly toward prosecution. We respond immediately to protect your rights during the critical window when evidence preservation and suppression opportunities matter most.
Meth cases often involve child endangerment allegations and DSS involvement. We coordinate criminal defense with family court concerns to protect both your freedom and your parental rights.
We provide honest assessments of your situation—the strength of suppression motions, realistic sentencing exposure, and available options—so you make informed decisions about your defense.
Meth cases present multiple opportunities for constitutional and evidentiary challenges. From illegal searches to unreliable informants, we attack prosecutions at every vulnerable point throughout South Carolina courts.
Attacking illegal traffic stops, warrantless searches, and searches exceeding warrant scope to suppress evidence that forms the foundation of prosecution cases.
Disputing trafficking thresholds by challenging moisture content, packaging weight, and adulterants included in calculations triggering mandatory minimums.
Challenging manufacturing charges when precursor possession involved legitimate uses or incomplete attempts without substantial steps toward actual production.
Exposing paid informants' criminal histories, motivations to fabricate, and patterns of providing unreliable information to law enforcement throughout South Carolina.
Challenging charges when meth was found in shared spaces, vehicles, or residences where multiple people had access and control.
Questioning field test reliability, chain of custody, contamination, and laboratory procedures producing erroneous methamphetamine identification.
Methamphetamine defense requires attorneys who understand manufacturing processes, trafficking investigations, and South Carolina's sentencing schemes. Matt McGuire brings over 30 years fighting meth charges in courts throughout all 46 counties.
Over 30 years defending meth trafficking, manufacturing, and possession charges in General Sessions Courts throughout South Carolina, from Beaufort to Greenville, Charleston to Florence.
Understanding of meth production methods, precursor chemicals, and lab investigation procedures essential to challenging manufacturing evidence and charges.
Experience as Assistant Solicitor provides inside knowledge of how drug cases are built, where they're vulnerable, and how to attack prosecutor strategies effectively.
Three decades of credibility with solicitors, judges, and court personnel across South Carolina essential when your freedom depends on effective representation.
Defense in U.S. District Court for the District of South Carolina when federal authorities prosecute meth cases involving manufacturing or significant distribution.
Meth convictions carry consequences measured in decades, with manufacturing and trafficking charges threatening life imprisonment. Understanding the severity reveals why aggressive statewide defense is essential.
Beyond prison sentences, meth manufacturing convictions bring hazmat cleanup costs often exceeding $50,000, property forfeiture, and child endangerment charges with separate mandatory sentences. We fight every aspect of these complex prosecutions.
Methamphetamine cases involve complex manufacturing evidence, strict trafficking thresholds, and devastating sentencing consequences. Here are answers to questions South Carolina defendants commonly ask about meth defense.
South Carolina's trafficking threshold is just 10 grams for methamphetamine—far less than quantities that might suggest distribution. This low threshold ensnares users as well as actual dealers, making weight challenges critical.
Even small-scale production using 2-liter bottle methods triggers full manufacturing charges carrying 10 years to life. The law doesn't distinguish between professional operations and amateur attempts.
Yes. Pharmacy monitoring programs track purchases statewide. Exceeding limits or coordinating purchases with others (smurfing) triggers precursor possession charges even without manufacturing evidence.
Constructive possession requires proof you knew about the meth and exercised control over it. When multiple people have access to a vehicle or residence, prosecutors must prove your knowing possession. We challenge these assumptions.
Manufacturing methamphetamine in the presence of children under 18 adds a mandatory 10-year consecutive sentence. DSS involvement and custody loss often accompany criminal charges.
Meth manufacturing creates contamination requiring professional remediation. Courts impose cleanup costs as restitution, often exceeding $50,000-$100,000. Property may be condemned or forfeited.
Cases involving manufacturing, significant quantities, interstate precursor purchases, or environmental hazards may be prosecuted federally. We defend in both state and federal courts throughout South Carolina.
No. South Carolina's trafficking sentences are served without parole eligibility. The 85% rule means serving at least 85% of the mandatory minimum before any release consideration.
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 meth 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 methamphetamine defense case.
Matt McGuire has defended methamphetamine charges across South Carolina for over 30 years, fighting mandatory minimums and manufacturing prosecutions that threaten life imprisonment in courts throughout all 46 counties.
