Apply for Services
Jump to Section:
Before accepting cases, we conduct an application and intake screening process. Please keep in mind that submitting an application and completing an intake screening does not guarantee representation. Due to the high volume of requests, our limited resources, and our ethical obligations to current clients, we are unable to take on every case within our scope.
Financial Qualifications and Potential Expenses
As part of our intake process, we ask questions about household income and employment, but we do not automatically disqualify clients based on income or conduct strict means-testing (e.g., measuring income against the Federal poverty level). People seek our help because they cannot afford an attorney and face a legal issue or proceeding where no counsel will be appointed. Please note that we may screen cases based on financial means or, more commonly, the availability of appointed counsel.
We do not charge clients for our legal services; however, clients are typically responsible for other case-related expenses, such as fees for expungement and pardon applications, Guardian ad Litem fees, and fees for records. If you are concerned about potential costs, we strongly encourage you not to let that deter you from applying for services.
Application and Intake Process for Non-Incarcerated People with Records
As licensed attorneys in South Carolina, we are only able to advise you on South Carolina and federal criminal records—not those from other states. If you have records both in South Carolina and in another state, we’re happy to assist with your South Carolina record and will do our best to refer you to resources for record clearing in other states.
If you have pending charges, please note that we may recommend you return for record clearing assistance once your current case is resolved.
If you have a South Carolina or federal record that’s holding you back, or if you’re facing legal challenges stemming from past criminal system involvement, you’re welcome to request an intake appointment with us.
To schedule an intake appointment, please choose one of the following options:
-
Call our office at (864) 546-5060. If you are unable to reach us, please leave a message with your name and contact information.
-
Email us at info@tsscnow.org.
Intake Process:
Our initial intake is typically conducted over the phone. Please set aside 20–30 minutes for this call and plan to be in a private space where you can discuss your legal matter openly.
After the intake, our team will review your case at our weekly case consult meeting to determine if we can accept your matter and establish our initial level of representation. For instance, some family law cases may initially be placed on “investigation status” to allow time to review all relevant documents before deciding how best to proceed. If we accept your case, you will then be assigned an attorney.
Application and Intake Process for Currently Incarcerated People
We ask that incarcerated individuals seeking assistance write a detailed letter outlining their legal needs. In this letter, they should include the names of any co-defendants so we can conduct a conflict check. For initial correspondence, we kindly request that original documents not be sent.
For those applying for parole representation, please note that we generally accept parole cases for individuals serving life sentences who are within 1.5 to 2 years of their next parole date.
Due to the high volume of mail we receive from incarcerated individuals, including current clients, we strive to respond as efficiently as possible. Typically, we respond by (1) scheduling a legal call to complete a full intake if the case is in scope, (2) providing brief advice and a closing letter, (3) requesting additional information, or (4) issuing a letter to explain if the case is out of scope or we lack the capacity to take it on.
Legal Mail from SCDC should be addressed as follows:
Time Served
P.O. Box 615
Taylors, SC 29687
For legal emergencies involving an incarcerated individual, we recommend that a loved one contact our office directly at (864) 546-5060 or email us at info@tsscnow.org.