Attorneys
HARRY DEST
Harry Dest has nearly 30 years of experience as a Criminal Defense Attorney / DUI Attorney having trials over his career, resulting in many not guilty verdicts- including Murder cases. He also handles Traffic cases such as Speeding Tickets.
He has represented thousands of defendants as a Criminal Lawyer in both General Sessions and Magistrate/ Municipal Courts. He has appeared on nationwide television for high profile cases, including Larry King Live, Oprah Winfrey Show, and Court TV.
Harry has handled jury trials on cases including Murder, Manslaughter, Sex Crime allegations, Involuntary Manslaughter, Burglary, Armed Robbery, Felony DUI, DUI, Drug Offenses, and all Traffic Offenses including Traffic Tickets.
Harry was awarded the Public Defender of the year in 2018 by the South Carolina Public Defender Association. He was appointed by Governors Beasley, Hodges, Sanford, Haley and McMaster to serve as Chairman of the South Carolina Commission on Indigent Defense.
In 2019 Governor McMaster awarded him the Order of the Silver Crescent which is designated to honor a person who has exhibited exemplary leadership for the citizens of South Carolina.
OUIDA DEST
Ouida Dest has nearly 28 years as a Prosecutor handling juvenile cases in Family Court and will use this experience to be a Juvenile Attorney for your child. She has handled tens of thousands of cases in her career dealing with some of the most difficult and serious cases to prevention and intervention cases.
She has spent her entire career trying to intervene early with at-risk juveniles to attempt to change their risky behavior and successfully started and managed programs that redirect juveniles from the Criminal Justice system.
Through her 28 years of experience in the Family Court, Ouida has received the Ernest Hollings Award for Excellence in Prosecution and multiple other state awards.
Ouida was appointed in 2015 by Governor Nikki Haley to serve on the Governor's Juvenile Justice Council and serves on many local Boards and Commissions, all with a desire to improve the lives of children.
Ouida will also work as a Criminal Defense Attorney/ DUI Attorney/ Traffic Ticket Attorney on your case. Ouida and Harry work on all cases together to give two attorneys to work on every individual case.