Masella Law Firm PA

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(803) 980-4400Visit WebsiteMap & Directions1045 Oakland AveRock Hill, SC 29732 Write a Review

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Phone: (803) 980-4400

Address: 1045 Oakland Ave, Rock Hill, SC 29732

Website: http://www.masellalaw.com

Masella Law Firm PA

Family Law

Divorce
Each divorce is unique. Some involve major strife while others occur between couples who are still on speaking terms. In some cases, such as a military divorce, the two parties aren’t even in the same country. Our firm understands the various needs of these individuals, and we are here to help you obtain a favorable outcome for your situation.
Child Support
The South Carolina Code of Laws contains dozens of statutes which establish and regulate the topic of child support in our state, which is evidence of how seriously the family courts in Columbia take the subject of a parent's duty to provide for the economic needs of a child. Child support is often one of the most contentious issues in a divorce, as both parents want to see that the children are provided for but do not want to be forced to carry an unfair share of the financial burden. If you are serious about avoiding a final settlement which places you in difficulty, let a Columbia divorce attorney from Masella Law Firm, P.A. fight for you! We understand how much is at stake for your future, and with extensive experience in practice, we know how to get the results you need.
Child Custody and Visitation
While on paper the family law courts in Columbia are directed to treat both parents in a divorce equally, it often occurs that the mother receives preferential treatment on matters of child custody. Formerly, our state applied a "Tender Years Doctrine" to custody disputes, making it almost the default to award custody to the mother in cases involving very young children, but our legislature has formally abolished this practice and now prefers to give each parent a fair chance at claiming custody. Even so, it is in your best interests to prepare to fight for your right to maintain a meaningful role in your children's lives—otherwise you could be relegated to a limited schedule of visitation or even be cut out of their lives entirely.
Adoption
When you are planning to welcome a child into your family through adoption, it is highly advisable to retain legal representation to help you avoid unnecessary complications and to guide you through the entire process. You can find the help you need for a private adoption by coming to Masella Law Firm, P.A., where we have a wide range of legal experience and a wealth of knowledge about adoption law.
Paternity
It is also possible for men to file paternity actions, and this is usually done with the purpose of securing rights of child custody and visitation. If you have not been legally recognized as the father, your ability to have a relationship with your child is entirely at the discretion of the mother, who has sole custody and control of the child. By establishing that you are the biological father, you will now be able to petition for visitation privileges, but must be prepared to supply evidence that this would be in the best interests of the children. We will assist you with every phase of the process, and are prepared to fight for your right to play a role in your child's life.
Spousal Support
Neither spouse in a divorce is automatically entitled to receive alimony, but the award of spousal support is largely at the discretion of the judge-provided only that the person requesting support has not committed adultery. If it appears to be fair and equitable for one spouse to provide for the financial support of the other, the court may make an award of alimony which is either temporary or permanent.
Legal Separation
Depending on the circumstances of your relationship, legal separation may serve as a viable alternative to divorce, or may be a necessary first step. For many couples, deeply held religious convictions make legal separation the next-best option, as it serves to create nearly all the conditions of divorce without violating any prohibitions against dissolving the marriage.

Criminal Law

Criminal Defense
Columbia attorney Robert M.P. Masella, originally from Brooklyn, New York, graduated from Winthrop College in 1985, where he was an All-American Soccer Player. After graduating college he ventured into the business world where he excelled to become one of the top producers nationwide for a Fortune 100 Company. Mr. Masella graduated from the University of South Carolina School of Law in 1995 where he focused his studies on areas necessary for developing a litigation practice. He has continued to place his emphasis in these areas, gaining valuable litigation skills while protecting the interests of individuals who are involved in contentious matters. These matters include, divorce, custody, support, property protection and division, as well as criminal defense. Protecting futures of his clients and fighting insurance companies for those who have been injured in an accident, or on the job, is what he does best.
DUI/DWI
Underage drinking is a major problem in Columbia and throughout the state. According to statistics provided by Mothers Against Drunk Driving, approximately one in five youths between the ages of 12 and 20 in South Carolina admit to drinking alcohol, with 13% admitting to binge drinking. Given that our state ranks worst in the nation for the number of drunk driving traffic deaths, law enforcement agencies at all levels are serious about cracking down on illegal possession and use of alcohol among minors.
Wrongful Death
Wrongful Death - It is possible to sue for the wrongful death of a loved one which is caused by negligence or misconduct, giving you the opportunity of recovering financial compensation for your tragic loss so that your family is not forced to shoulder the financial burden of another person's wrongful actions.
Traffic Violations
Convictions also come with a suspension of your driver's license and possible installation of an ignition interlock device in your vehicle. In addition, prison sentences can be increased with certain aggravating factors such as speeding or a blood alcohol content over 0.16%.
Sex Crimes
The internet is the scene of an increasing variety of criminal activities, but some of the most common charges that are filed involve the possession and distribution of child pornography. Depending on the circumstances of the alleged offense, you may be prosecuted by the county Solicitor or you could face federal crime charges. Child pornography offenses are generally punished as felonies, with penalties ranging from one to fifty years in prison.
Fraud
We might also be able to resolve the case by demonstrating that your constitutional right against unreasonable search and seizure was violated. Drug crimes are also frequently charged by federal law enforcement, such as trafficking across state lines or international borders, while we can also represent clients on charges including identity theft and various types of fraud including credit card fraud, wire fraud and mortgage fraud.
Robbery
For example, shoplifting is a misdemeanor with a maximum penalty of 30 days in jail and a $1,000 fine if the merchandise is valued at $2,000 or less, but is a felony with a sentence of up to five years in prison for cases where the item or items are valued at up to $10,000, or ten years for shoplifting of items worth more than that amount. Certain types of theft, such as robbery, are actually classified as violent crimes and are generally felonies with penalties ranging upwards of 20 years in prison.
White Collar Crimes
Have you learned that you are under investigation for a white collar crime? If you have been contacted by investigators and requested to come in for questioning, there is one thing you must do: retain a Columbia defense lawyer to represent you. Realize that there is little or nothing you can say to law enforcement officials which could improve your situation-you are under investigation because they believe that you are guilty, and are only looking for evidence to secure your conviction. Let an experienced attorney defend your legal rights and help you seek to avoid the serious consequences you face.
Theft
Misdemeanors
While the common perception of fake IDs is associated with thoughts of juvenile mischief and trouble making, it is actually against the law to possess a fake ID in South Carolina and it is punished as a misdemeanor offense. Many who possess fake ID's do not consider the possibility of legal punishment if they are caught but this is a big mistake. Possession of a fake ID could lead to a criminal charge and severe penalties that affect one's immediate position and future pursuits.
Embezzlement
We can represent you in any type of white collar crime case, including antitrust violations, bribery, embezzlement, forgery and counterfeiting or mail fraud, and are ready to take immediate action on your case.
Drug Crimes
South Carolina comes down hard on those convicted of drug crimes such as possession or manufacturing. You could face serious jail time for a conviction, along with having a criminal record. When you are represented by our Columbia drug crime attorney, you can be confident knowing that an experienced advocate is fighting to keep you from conviction and to secure the most favorable outcome.
Assault
According to the Department of Juvenile Justice, the five most common juvenile offenses statewide in 2011 were assault and battery, shoplifting, public disorderly conduct, disturbing schools and simple possession of marijuana -these crimes were also the most widespread in Richland County in the same period. The DJJ further reports having processed a total of 18,114 cases, 3,179 of which resulted in detention and 14,935 of which were either dismissed or sent to a diversion program such as Pre-Trial Intervention or the Alcohol Education Program. A total of 9,980 cases moved forward to prosecution, with 4,542 individuals being placed on probation.
Murder
In general, any type of crime does not carry a particularly pleasant reputation in society. However, there are some crimes which are especially heinous in the eyes of the public. The obvious ones include murder, grand theft and sex crimes. The category of sex crimes is perhaps one type of crime that gets a lot of attention and that attention is almost always bad attention. The thought of someone sexually violating another person in some way is almost as heinous as them violating their humanity by threatening their life altogether. Because of the seriousness of this crime, society and the criminal justice system have both developed a sort of bias against those accused of such actions.
Juvenile Crimes
There are many attorneys in Columbia who would be happy to take on the challenge of defending your child on juvenile crime charges, so why should you choose Masella Law Firm, P.A.? Because our team has a wealth of legal experience, and we know how to effectively defend even the most challenging cases. Our lead attorney has prosecuted crimes as a solicitor in the local courts, and has even served as a judge. With this background, we are prepared to fight for your child's rights and to defend your family against the devastating long term negative consequences you face.
Probation Violation
We can represent you in court on any type of probation or parole violation charge, whether you are accused of missing your scheduled interviews failing a drug test, non-payment of fines, absconding or even committing a new crime. Many people who are charged with a probation violation find themselves in the situation after violations of home arrest have been detected by the ankle bracelet GPS tracking device, or after being accused of misusing the ignition interlock device which is imposed in certain cases of DUI.
Identity Theft
People have been found to use the internet for sex crimes such as child pornography and solicitation but also, through computer hacking and identity theft, use the internet to different theft crimes. When law enforcement suspects someone of committing a crime through the use of the internet, not only will that person be subject to a charge of the particular crime they allegedly committed but also a charge of internet crime.
Shoplifting
According to a report from the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, theft crimes are by far the most common type of criminal offense in our state. In 2010, crimes including larceny, breaking or entering and motor vehicle theft together accounted for 179,609 of 207,837 offenses included in the report, with 12,408 larceny offenses in Richland County alone. Our state has a higher rate of theft crimes than in the rest of the country, and Richland County has the fifth highest rate statewide. Theft is also common among youths, with shoplifting being the second most prevalent juvenile crime in the county and throughout the state.
Restraining Order
This type of restraining order can not only prohibit the abuser from continuing to harass or intimidate you, but can also give you child custody and child support, as well as providing you with spousal support/alimony and even temporary possession of the home-even if your name is not on the lease or the title. Don't delay contacting our Columbia divorce lawyer for help. We have extensive courtroom experience and a background in criminal prosecution, and are ready to help you assert your legal right to peace and security from abuse.
Forgery
Money Laundering
Kidnapping
Sex crimes in South Carolina range from relatively minor to serious depending on the nature of the actions. The category includes any illegal act, behavior or activity that involves sexual gratification, desire or arousal. These crimes can stand alone or they can be committed in corroboration to other illegal acts, such as violence and kidnapping.
Internet Crimes
If you have learned that you are under investigation for illegal activity on the internet, the first thing you should do is to contact a Columbia internet crime defense attorney at Masella Law Firm, P.A., for a confidential consultation about the situation and to begin taking actions to prevent a further accumulation of evidence against you.
Prostitution

Business and Corporate Law

Antitrust

Employment Law

Workers Compensation
If you are facing criminal charges, an injury, problems with workers' compensation or a family law matter, contact our firm as soon as possible and find out how we can help.
Sexual Harassment

Property Law

Premises Liability
Premises Liability - If your accident should have been prevented by reasonable safety precautions on the part of a property owner, you may be able to file a premises liability claim. A common example of this type of case is a slip and fall which is caused by a proprietor's failure to clean a wet floor.

Health Law

Personal Injury
Our Columbia personal injury lawyers understand how much you have at stake in this situation. We will do everything in our power to help you recover a settlement to cover everything from compensation for your lost income and medical expenses to damages for the pain and suffering you have experienced.
Auto Accidents
Dog Bites
Dog Bites - When a dog has bitten you or your child, you can most likely hold the dog's owner strictly liable for monetary damages, provided that the attack was not provoked. It is not necessary to prove that the dog has a history of vicious or aggressive behavior.

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