When you are charged with a crime or are involved in an accident, it can seem like the world is crashing down around you. Between the threat of incarceration and the chance of financial loss, these foreboding situations often feel overwhelming. Friends and family cut ties, your employer threatens termination, and life seems hopeless. It is imperative to have a fighter on your side during these trying times: one that will stick with you through thick and thin, without any judgments.
Welcome to the Law Office of Richard Waring: where defending your rights and freedoms is paramount in securing your future.
Richard implements a powerfully simple yet effective model for all his clients' cases:
When you are ready to fight back against the allegations against you, it is time to call the Law Office of Richard Waring - a criminal defense attorney on North Charleston, SC, with the knowledge, experience, and drive to defend you during your most difficult time.
Richard Waring began his commitment to community service years ago. As a young man, he would spend his summers volunteering his time to help needy communities.
As an adult, his desire to help others manifested itself while I served as a prosecutor for "close to 10 years."?. During this time, he would take part in some of the most difficult trials in the Lowcountry's history. He prosecuted thousands of individuals for crimes such as assault and battery, armed robbery, drug crimes, DUI, financial crimes, and even murder.
His time as a prosecutor was priceless, giving him valuable insight and knowledge into the inner workings of North Charleston's legal system. Today, Richard uses that experience to vigorously defend good, hardworking men and women whose freedoms are only one judgment away from disappearing.
Whether you made a mistake and need a second chance or have been wrongfully accused of a crime, you need a professional who has put in time on both sides. At the Law Office of Richard Waring, you can rest easy knowing this former prosecutor will fight tooth and nail for your freedom.
When you are charged with a crime, it can become a horrible experience. The range of emotions one goes through can be taxing: embarrassment, humiliation, regret, sadness, despair. The domino effect that often happens when charged with a crime can be awful, as well: loss of job, abandonment by your family or significant other, dirty looks from those in your community.
Fortunately, a criminal defense attorney in North Charleston, SC, can help restore your reputation and repair your life. In times of legal crises, your friends and family may cut ties, but Richard Waring will be on your side from the time you call his office to the time your case is resolved.
Having prosecuted thousands of cases in South Carolina, Richard has a set of skills and experiences; assets that have guided him to win criminal cases against the government. Richard truly knows the criminal justice system's ins and outs and is dedicated to fighting for his clients to achieve the best possible outcome on their criminal cases.
While some cases result in a positive outcome quickly, others must go to trial. Much like a combat athlete trains for months, hones his or her skills, and goes to war with an opponent, Richard Waring has prepared for and battled it out in many high-profile trials.
When you trust the Law Office of Richard Waring, you can rest assured that you are in capable hands. Each of our criminal defense clients receives the following when entrusting Richard Waring as their criminal defense lawyer in North Charleston:
The following are common cases that Richard Waring can handle for you:
There are several key players in the criminal justice system, each with its own roles. The prosecutor is tasked with enforcing laws and convicting offenders. The judge serves as an unbiased decision-maker. The criminal defense attorney's role is to protect the rights of the individual who is charged with a crime - a vitally important role in the criminal justice world.
Having a proactive, experienced criminal defense lawyer on your side almost always improves your chance of a positive outcome. While their primary role is to defend your rights and protect you from excessive sentences, they have many other duties.
When you entrust Richard Waring as your defense advocate, he will fight to protect your rights throughout the case by:
As a defendant, you have important rights. Some of the rights that Richard Waring will fight to protect on your behalf are:
While United States law does not mandate that a defense attorney be assigned to a defendant, the prosecutor must uphold your right to legal representation. If you cannot afford an attorney in North Charleston, the government must supply you with a public defender.
While United States law does not mandate that a defense attorney be assigned to a defendant, the prosecutor must uphold your right to legal representation. If you cannot afford an attorney in North Charleston, the government must supply you with a public defender.
If you or a member of your family is facing criminal charges in North Charleston, there is no doubt that you are anxious about the road ahead. You are not alone - most of our criminal defense clients worry about the uncertainties surrounding the legal process and what is next in their case.
At the Law Office of Richard Waring, we empathize with this stress, and as such, make every effort to address anxiety-inducing questions like:
We cannot answer these questions in detail until we have time to review your case and speak with you one-on-one. Until that time, this high-level view of North Charleston's criminal case timeline can offer some insight into what lies ahead.
This is the first step in the criminal case timeline. During this time, police officer(s) will investigate the potential crime at hand and arrest whomever the officer(s) believes to be responsible. At this point, the person in question is considered a Defendant.
Shortly after the arrest (typically within the same day), defendants are granted an initial bond hearing. This short proceeding determines whether a defendant will be released from jail while charges are pending. It is wise to hire a criminal defense lawyer in North Charleston, SC, before this hearing so that they may argue on your behalf.
The purpose of the preliminary hearing is to determine whether or not there is sufficient evidence (or probable cause) for the case to carry on. Defendants must request this hearing within 20 days of their initial bond setting. Hearings typically commence within three to six weeks. It is especially important that defendants retain the services of an experienced criminal defense attorney at this stage.
The main purpose of this court date is to determine if the defendant has hired an attorney or will need a public defender appointed to them. If you have an attorney before this hearing, defendants are not required to be present. The initial appearance typically happens 45 days after the arrest.
n some cases, the State may offer a plea offer to the defendant. If the defendant accepts this deal, a hearing will be scheduled to finalize the defendant's acceptance. If the defendant pleads guilty, they are typically sentenced on the spot. If the defendant rejects the plea, he or she may have to go before the judge to ensure they understand the consequences of rejecting a plea offer.
Under Rule 5 of the South Carolina Rules of Criminal Procedure, the defendant will receive all evidence that will be used against them. As your criminal defense attorneys in North Charleston, we will submit a written request to the court to obtain this information. It may take the State weeks or months to turn over their evidence, especially if that evidence is new.
The first barrier for the State to prosecute takes place during the preliminary hearing. The second occurs during the indictment phase. In general terms, an indictment is a document that details the criminal charges which the defendant must face. Each crime listed on the indictment is called a "count." During this phase, the State will gather a "grand jury" comprised of public citizens. This jury is presented with evidence to help them approve or disapprove of the charges contained in the indictment. If the indictment is approved, the defendant's case will proceed to trial. If it is rejected, charges are usually dropped.
During the trial, both the defense and prosecution will present evidence to a jury, who will hand down a final verdict. The prosecutor's job during the trial is to convince the jury, beyond any reasonable doubt, that the defendant is guilty. The defendant is under no obligation to prove anything. As an experienced criminal defense lawyer and former prosecutor, Richard Waring will work hard to convince the jury of his client's innocence while pointing out holes in the prosecution's case.
Typically, a trial in North Charleston includes the following phases:
Five world-class illusionists will stage incredible interactive illusions at the North Charleston Performing Arts Center May 2. This mind-bending theatrical production called Champions of Magic includes stunts such as an impossible escape from Houdini’s water torture cell, mind-blowing mentalist predictions and levitation high above the stage.One of the five performers, Hollie England, said she performs artis...
Five world-class illusionists will stage incredible interactive illusions at the North Charleston Performing Arts Center May 2. This mind-bending theatrical production called Champions of Magic includes stunts such as an impossible escape from Houdini’s water torture cell, mind-blowing mentalist predictions and levitation high above the stage.
One of the five performers, Hollie England, said she performs artistic magic acts. In the show, England swallows needles and plays with fire while dressed as an Alice in Wonderland-inspired character.
Mentalist Alex Mcaulay will “dive into the audience’s minds,” England said. “We interact with and use the audience in very different kinds of ways. Alex, he reads people’s minds. The thoughts in your head, he can delve in there and get them out.
“And then, we have Fernando Velasco, an escapologist. He does some death-defying escapes, from diving into water tanks with handcuffs to getting out of a straitjacket,” she said.
A duo called “Young and Strange” will also perform, creating large-scale illusions in the vein of well-known magician David Copperfield.
“There’s definitely a lot of audience participation, so if you want to get picked for something, then there’s a lot of chances it might happen,” England said. “It’s for the whole family, and it’s got a large variety of things in the show, so everyone’s going to find something that they enjoy.”
The five illusionists in Champions of Magic have been compared to the characters of the 2013 film, Now You See Me, in which charismatic magician Atlas (played by Jesse Eisenberg) leads a team of talented illusionists.
The film, predictability, gets some things wrong about being a stage illusionist, England said, mostly that they perform acts which simply can’t be done in real life. It does, however, get some things totally right.
“They each have their own speciality of magic that they do, which is accurate to us as well,” England said. “I also love how they work together, which is something that Champions of Magic also does. We have multiple acts we do together as a group, and that’s really cool because you see how we interact with each other, and how we create magic together.”
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A charter school in North Charleston will close its doors after this school year following a history of violations and instances of noncompliance.NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) - A charter school in North Charleston will close its doors after this school year following a history of violations and instances of noncompliance, according to the Charter Institute at Erskine.Gates School has been in operation since August of 2021, “founded to serve students with a primary diagnosis of dyslexia,” according to the school&rsq...
A charter school in North Charleston will close its doors after this school year following a history of violations and instances of noncompliance.
NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) - A charter school in North Charleston will close its doors after this school year following a history of violations and instances of noncompliance, according to the Charter Institute at Erskine.
Gates School has been in operation since August of 2021, “founded to serve students with a primary diagnosis of dyslexia,” according to the school’s website.
The Charter Institute at Erskine’s Board of Directors, tasked with authorizing charter schools in South Carolina, voted Monday to revoke the charter of Gates School “due to systemic findings of noncompliance of state and federal special education law.”
The board had previously met Mar. 16, 2022 and voted to revoke Gates School’s charter for the same reason, but an appeal hearing from the school gave them a second chance at keeping their doors open and remedying “it’s ongoing noncompliance,” the Institute says.
Live 5 has previously reported on the school’s history of noncompliance, including when the Charter Institute at Erskine paused enrollment just months after the school’s opening due to staffing shortages, specifically special education teachers.
“The Board and our District are tasked with ensuring that every student’s rights are protected under the law and that our schools are complying with all legal and regulatory requirements imposed by our federal and state governments,” Dr. Steven Adamson, President of Erskine College and Chairman of the Charter Institute Board, said. “As we move forward, the Institute and the Board are committed to ensuring a smooth transition.”
As of April 24, 2023, about 95 students were enrolled at Gates School, according to the Charter Institute at Erskine. The Institute says it will notify parents of the closure and work with families to “provide a smooth transition for their students.”
Ashley Epperson, Director of Communications for the Charter Institute at Erskine, provided this statement regarding the school’s violations:
The Gates School’s history of noncompliance has been extensive. As a result of Gates School’s systemic noncompliance, their students with disabilities are owed more than 220,000 minutes of special education services that the school was required by law to provide. The Charter Institute, in an attempt to remedy this systemic special education noncompliance, provided ongoing support, trainings, and site visits to the school. In an effort to impress upon the administration of Gates School the seriousness of these matters, the Institute placed multiple sanctions on the school from 2021-2023, including the issuance of multiple notices of noncompliance, multiple corrective action plans, and multiple enrollment freezes.
Stephanie Sams, Founding Board Chair for Gates School issued the following statement after Monday’s announcement:
Gates School community is heartbroken and disappointed that the Charter Institute at Erskine Board disregarded the information from special education compliance experts that no statutory grounds for revocation exist. Gates School has always been dedicated to appropriate service and exceptional instruction and experiences for our dyslexic learners. Our focus will always remain on them and their best next steps. The Gates School Board and community will be taking under consideration those best next steps although I have been told that parents have already filed complaints with the U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights.
The Charter Institute at Erskine says this is the first charter the board has revoked. Over the past decade, 14 charter schools have been closed in South Carolina.
The Charter Institute at Erskine is compiling a full list of Gates School’s violations and instances of noncompliance.
Officials with Gates School have yet to respond to a request for comment.
Copyright 2023 WCSC. All rights reserved.
A 40-year-old laundromat in North Charleston has been recently transformed, but what’s special about it is more than just its appearance.NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) - A 40-year-old laundromat in North Charleston has been recently transformed, but what’s special about it is more than just its appearance.Erin and John Carpenter went on an RV trip around the country during the pandemic, and that’s when they realized how important laundromats were.After the trip, they moved to Charleston and wanted to get...
A 40-year-old laundromat in North Charleston has been recently transformed, but what’s special about it is more than just its appearance.
NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) - A 40-year-old laundromat in North Charleston has been recently transformed, but what’s special about it is more than just its appearance.
Erin and John Carpenter went on an RV trip around the country during the pandemic, and that’s when they realized how important laundromats were.
After the trip, they moved to Charleston and wanted to get involved in the community. That’s when they saw Reynolds Laundromat on Reynolds Avenue in North Charleston was for sale.
The old laundromat, which has been in business for over 40 years, looked less than desirable. There were broken machines, broken furniture, and lots of repairs that needed to be done.
“John was like let’s do it,” Erin said. “Let’s make it a better place.”
The couple got the laundromat in July of last year and let it exist the way it was for six months. During that time, they listened to feedback about what was wanted and needed by the community.
It took two and a half months to transform the space, and the new Reynolds Laundromat opened up two weeks ago.
They researched laundry prices in the Charleston area and made sure they were offering the lowest prices. They then made it into a place where people sleep, hang out, eat, watch television, use free Wifi and enjoy a safe, clean space.
The grand re-opening celebration was a free laundry day complete with free loads, food, and games. The couple partnered with Lowcountry Blessing Box Project to make it happen.
“Oh, the need for this is great,” Esther Smith, volunteer for Lowcountry Blessing Box Project, said. “This community here, they really do need to be able to come here and get their clothes washed, you know.”
The couple posted a Tik Tok video of their story, and it went viral, receiving 10.5 million views as of Wednesday.
The post got the attention of many in the community including local organizations, who are reaching out and want to get involved to have more free laundry days and events.
“It was really really cool to engage with people who you know maybe live in the area or have been like hey I live nearby, I’d like to donate or I want to help sponsor more free laundry days,” Erin said.
It’s been especially exciting for manager Steve P. Eddie, who has worked here seven days a week for nine years.
“It’s more than just laundry,” Eddie said. “It’s also been a place that no matter what they’re going through, they can come here, be at peace, be safe, safe knowing that we designed this place for them and knowing that it’s beyond laundry.”
The couple is now watching their project grow before their eyes. They hope that more free laundry days are in the future, with hopes of doing them every few months. They also are adding a kids area with books and toys, as well as creating a laundry pickup and delivery service.
“Now to see people sitting at the picnic tables and kids playing in the kid’s area and using the technology and eating at the different things it’s kinda fun to see it come to life,” John said.
Longtime employee Eddie hopes it’s just the beginning for the newly renovated laundromat.
“My vision for this place is for this place to be here a long time,” Eddie said.
Copyright 2023 WCSC. All rights reserved.
Boeing’s South Carolina workforce grew by about 950 in 2022, part of a companywide surge of 15,000 employees around the world.Boeing shared its year-end employment numbers in conjunction with filing its 10-K financial performance forms with the Securities and Exchange Commission.The growth of the Lowcountry workforce brings the total headcount to about 6,500 at Boeing South Carolina’s two campuses, according to figures released by the company. The company said in a news release that it plans to hire another 10,000 w...
Boeing’s South Carolina workforce grew by about 950 in 2022, part of a companywide surge of 15,000 employees around the world.
Boeing shared its year-end employment numbers in conjunction with filing its 10-K financial performance forms with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
The growth of the Lowcountry workforce brings the total headcount to about 6,500 at Boeing South Carolina’s two campuses, according to figures released by the company. The company said in a news release that it plans to hire another 10,000 workers worldwide in 2023.
Part of the Palmetto State hiring took place because delivery resumed for the Dreamliners produced at the Ladson plant. Production of the 787s had continued at a slower pace while the company and Federal Aviation Administration worked to address safety concerns.
Related: Boeing makes first 787 delivery since 2021
The company acknowledged that a return to deliveries accounted for some of the hiring, but not all of it.
Although the Dreamliner program is based at the North Charleston plant, other Boeing operations include:
• Boeing’s engine nacelle design and manufacturing center of excellence, supporting the 777X and 737 MAX programs, among others.
• Boeing Research and Technology South Carolina, the center of the company’s composite manufacturing development activities.
• One of Boeing’s four Information Technology Centers, which provides support to the entire Boeing enterprise across the globe.
• One of the primary U.S. Air Force base locations (Joint Base Charleston) supporting the C-17 fleet with technical and logistics solutions.
• One of three domestic BCA Engineering Design Centers, performing engineering work statement for BCA, BDS and BGS programs and projects.
• Senior Boeing executives leading enterprise roles such as 787 Engineering; 787 Quality; Ethics, Law and Global Compliance; and others.
“Our diverse Boeing South Carolina team demonstrates a commitment to safety, quality and integrity every day on the 787 program and across the many other Boeing programs and projects BSC supports,” Lane Ballard, vice president and general manager of the 787 program and Boeing South Carolina site leader, said in the news release. “I am proud of our growing team in South Carolina, and we will continue to invest in our teammates and the development of meaningful and fulfilling careers for generations to come.”
Boeing South Carolina is one of only three aerospace production sites in the world where twin-aisle commercial airplanes are assembled and delivered. It is the only site in the world that encompasses the full cycle of Dreamliner production, starting with fabrication using carbon composite materials and ending with final assembly and delivery to the customer.
The company has invested more than $83 million with charitable organizations in South Carolina, with an emphasis on education, arts and culture, health and human services, civic engagement and the environment. From their headquarters in Virginia, Boeing today said it would donate $500,000 to earthquake relief in Turkey.
NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) - The City of North Charleston has selected its next chief of police.Current Assistant Chief Greg Gomes will take over the role of police chief on May 1.The promotion comes after current chief Reggie Burgess announced back in March that he would be retiring from the role he’s held since 2018.“We try to work with people to make their lives have an opportunity to be better and I couldn’t find a better crew than we have here in North Charleston Police Department to do that,&rd...
NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) - The City of North Charleston has selected its next chief of police.
Current Assistant Chief Greg Gomes will take over the role of police chief on May 1.
The promotion comes after current chief Reggie Burgess announced back in March that he would be retiring from the role he’s held since 2018.
“We try to work with people to make their lives have an opportunity to be better and I couldn’t find a better crew than we have here in North Charleston Police Department to do that,” North Charleston Mayor Keith Summey said.
Gomes has held the role of assistant police chief since 2020. The city says Gomes is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of the agency. Gomes has also served as Deputy Police Chief of the Investigative Divisions and Captain of the Office of Professional Standards.
Gomes, much like the outgoing Burgess, is a North Charleston native. Something Mayor Keith Summey saw as a positive in his selection.
“With his extensive experience, impressive credentials, and deep commitment to serving the community, I know Assistant Chief Gomes is the right person to lead the North Charleston Police Department forward,” Summey said. “As a native of North Charleston, he has a deep and abiding commitment to our city, and I am excited to see what he will accomplish as Police Chief.”
During Monday’s press conference, Gomes says serving as chief in his hometown makes this job even more personal.
He says he plans to continue all of the programs that Burgess started, such as the Cops Athletic Program, where youth participate in sports taught by law enforcement officers, on top of combating ongoing crime.
“It’s really just being in the streets and understanding our community and being a part of the people,” Gomes said. “If you’re there and if you understand the challenges they’re facing, it gives us a better roadmap on what we need to do to effectively police.”
Burgess also revealed that Gomes was a student when he was the student resource officer at North Charleston High. Burgess says there’s nobody better to fill this position.
Gomes was asked if North Charleston Police Department is in need of more officers.
“I don’t know that you could ever say that there’s ever enough,” Gomes said. “You could always use more police officers. But I will say this -- We’ve got plenty of police officers to make sure that every 911 call and every call for service is answered and that we provide a good service to the citizens when they need it.”
Gomes will not be the only new leader in charge. North Charleston will seek a new mayor this November for the first time in nearly 30 years after Mayor Summey’s retirement. When asked if the police chief position could change in November, Gomes says he’s going to provide protection no matter what.
“Assuming they want me to be here,” Gomes said. “Listen, that’ll take care of itself, you know, in a few months down the road. In the meantime, there’s a lot of work that we have to do.”
Summey says every department head is in the same position not knowing if they’re going to keep their job because they all work for the mayor. It will all depend on who the new mayor wants to appoint.
Burgess announced that he would seek to become North Charleston’s next mayor.
Copyright 2023 WCSC. All rights reserved.
