Beech Island is an unincorporated community of Aiken County, South Carolina, United States. It appears to take its name from Beech Island, a nearby former island that is politically part of Georgia but geographically separated from the rest of Georgia by a river which changed its bed. It was preceded by the trading post and fort at Savannah Town. Another popular explanation for the name of the community comes from the fact that beech trees populate the "high-land" bluff along the Savannah River where the community is located. Of course, how "high-land" was shortened to "island" is as much a mystery as the origin of the community's name. Beech Island's most famous resident was the late James Brown who lived there for the last few decades of his life on a 60-acre estate.

What is criminal appeals law?

A criminal appeal is a formal request to rehear a case that has already been decided -- a request that a new court reconsider the decision of the first court. When one or both sides of a case that has already been decided think there was a mistake made at trial, they can file an appeal. An appeal is entirely different than a jury trial. There is no testimony taken. The court of appeals decides the case entirely upon the written briefs filed by your attorney and the offie of the Attorney General who represents the prosecution and asks that the conviction be upheld.

Answers to criminal appeals law issues in South Carolina

After conviction and sentencing, a defendant has the opportunity to file an appeal of his sentence. If the conviction...