Victims’ Rights Attorneys in Charleston

Experiencing a crime can leave you feeling vulnerable, overwhelmed, and unsure where to turn next. You may be facing safety concerns, financial loss, privacy violations, or the long-term fallout of abuse. During these moments, you deserve clarity, support, and an advocate you can trust.

Charleston Legal Access (CLA) provides affordable civil legal services to victims of crime throughout Charleston, Berkeley, and Dorchester counties. While we do not handle criminal cases and cannot influence criminal prosecution, we do help survivors protect their rights, secure protective orders, regain financial stability, and navigate the civil legal issues that often arise after harm occurs.

If you need to report a crime, please contact your local police department. If you have been accused of a crime, please contact the Public Defender’s Office. If you need civil legal help related to safety, privacy, property, or financial harm, call us at (843) 640-5980 to speak with an attorney.

How Charleston Legal Access Supports Victims and Survivors

Victims of crime often face legal challenges long after the criminal incident itself. You may need help securing protection, resolving financial issues, addressing property disputes, or taking steps to ensure the harm does not continue. Our attorneys provide trauma-informed, client-centered support designed to help you regain control and rebuild stability.

We understand the emotional weight of these situations. We take time to listen, answer your questions, and explain your rights in clear, accessible language. Through our sliding-scale fee system - starting at $60 per hour - survivors get high-quality legal representation without the high costs that often prevent people from seeking help.

Protective Orders: Understanding Your Options

South Carolina has three types of protective orders designed to help victims stay safe:

Temporary Restraining Orders (TROs)

Issued by the magistrate court; require two police reports before filing.

Temporary Protective Orders

Issued by family court when the person you need protection from is a family or household member.

Both of these options are intentionally designed to be accessible without a lawyer; however, the process can still feel intimidating or confusing. We can help by explaining the steps, reviewing your paperwork, or representing you if your situation requires additional support.

Permanent Restraining Orders

Available after a criminal conviction and issued by magistrate, family, or circuit court. These provide longer-term protection and may be appropriate for witnesses or victims of crime.

Whether you are seeking guidance or full legal representation, our attorneys can help you understand which option is right for your situation and how to move forward safely.

Privacy, Property, and Financial Protection for Survivors

The impact of a crime goes far beyond the moment it occurred. Many survivors face ongoing challenges, including:

  • Financial abuse or exploitation

  • Misuse of joint accounts, credit cards, or property

  • Coercion or theft by a partner, family member, or caregiver

  • Disputes over shared property after a relationship ends

  • Threats to privacy during an ongoing criminal case

  • Difficulty separating finances from an abuser

Our attorneys help survivors take back control by providing legal options to protect their privacy, reclaim property, stop financial exploitation, and assert their rights in civil court. We also partner with the Mayor’s Office on Aging, local nonprofits, and community-based programs to ensure clients receive comprehensive support.

Who We Serve

You may be a good fit for our victims’ rights services if:

  • You are the victim of a crime and need civil legal guidance

  • You are seeking a restraining order or trying to understand which order applies

  • You are dealing with financial abuse, fraud, or exploitation

  • You are separating from a former partner and need support dividing property or assets

  • You want help protecting your privacy during a criminal prosecution

If you’re unsure which category your situation falls into, we encourage you to call. We can help you understand your rights and determine your next steps. Our goal is to reduce barriers and provide reliable support when it matters most.

Why Survivors Choose Charleston Legal Access

People choose CLA not only for affordability but because of how we serve our clients.
Survivors trust us because:

  • We listen without judgment or pressure.

  • We understand trauma and respond with compassion.

  • We explain your rights clearly and empower you to make informed decisions.

  • We are mission-driven, not profit-driven.

  • We fight for your safety, dignity, and long-term stability.

When you come to us, you’re not just getting legal advice—you’re gaining an advocate who supports you through one of the most vulnerable moments in your life.

Speak With a Victims’ Rights Attorney Today

If you are navigating the effects of a crime and need civil legal support, you don’t have to face it alone. Call (843) 640-5980 or submit an intake request in English or Español.

Your safety, privacy, and stability matter. We’re here to help you protect them.

Check if you qualify for services

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