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Russell D. Hilton
About Russell
Biography
As a private practitioner, criminal defense attorney, and former prosecutor, I am known throughout the legal community as a respected and effective attorney who has built up a wealth of knowledge and resources to handle your legal issues.
I was born in the lowcountry of South Carolina and attended grade school in Moncks Corner, South Carolina. After high school I received a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from Charleston Southern University where I then began a career at the Dorchester County Solicitor’s Office with then Solicitor Walter Bailey. In 2005, I graduated law school at Mississippi College School of Law and continued at the Solicitor’s Office under Solicitor Robby Robbins.
While in law school, I was on law review, and moot court before graduating magna cum laude as one of the “top 5” of my graduating class. After law school, I clerked for the law firm of Barnwell, Whaley, Patterson, and Helms on Daniel Island, South Carolina. In 2005, I then continued my time at the Solicitor's Office as a prosecutor where I later became the Senior General Sessions Court prosecutor, prosecuting serious felony crimes.
After 8 years as a prosecutor and over 14 years experience with the court system, I entered into private practice establishing the law firm of Russell D. Hilton, Attorney at Law, LLC. As a prosecutor, and now as private practitioner, I have handled thousands of cases and am prepared to handle yours.
I look forward to helping you with your situation,
Russell Hilton
Practice Areas
5
Practice Areas
Fees and Rates
Cost
Payment Methods
- Cash
- Check
- Credit Card
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Chat withLicenses
Licensed in South Carolina for 20 years
State: South Carolina
Acquired: 2005
No misconduct found
Location
Russell D. Hilton, Attorney At Law, LLC
104 South Pine Street, Summerville, SC, 29483
Russell D. Hilton, Attorney At Law, LLC
P.O. Box 233, Ridgeville, SC, 29472
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Russell D. Hilton's Reviews
Showing 1 - 5 of 22 client reviews from Avvo
Posted by anonymous | March 31, 2023 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Great lawyer
I hired Attorney Hilton for my son for a juvenile case but he was tried as an adult. Because of covid the court date kept getting postponed. During that time he kept in touch with us and worked the case. He kept in touch with my son and made sure he understood everything going on with his case. When ...
Russell Hilton
Replied last April 3, 2023Thank you for your kind words. We appreciate your trust in our office.
Posted by Eric | August 11, 2020 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Very talented criminal defense attorney!
Russell is an amazing attorney and helped me with some very serious criminal matters he was reliable knowledgeable friendly and professional.
Posted by Dessa | November 28, 2018 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
DUI
If you’re looking for an attorney that will get you positive results, then you will get that with Mr. Hilton. I’ve dealt with him on 2 occasions and he did an excellent job! I recommend him to everyone I know all the time. His paralegal is amazing! They’re a great team to work with.
Posted by Katie | September 18, 2018 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Best Lawyer Ever!
Mr. Hilton is a great lawyer! I had a DUI/Open Container charge that he dropped to a DUAC with no jail time. He answered all my questions promptly and was really nice and nonjudgmental. He's a very smart man who obviously cares about his clients. Even after the case was closed he continued to answer ...
Posted by Rob | March 31, 2018 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Council review
Mr. Hilton was up front with me about what my outcome may be and was pretty thorough when the time came to talk about my case, and formulate a plan. I guess most people are nervous about court but he was very professional standing beside me and the outcome was better than I could have hoped for. I wo...
Russell D. Hilton's Lawyer Endorsements
"I endorse this lawyer. I have known Mr. Hilton for several years. He shows genuine concern for his clients and works hard to meet their needs."
"I have known Russell Hilton for several years. He provides thorough, quality representation. I endorse Mr. Hilton."
"I endorse this lawyer, Russell is a top notch professional."
"Russell is a long time practitioner in the area of criminal law. He was a well thought of prosecutor in his former career. He brings that same passion for justice to the defense side of the table. Russell is an aggressive advocate and is always prepared to go that extra mile for his clients. As a fellow criminal defense attorney, I do not hesitate to work with Russell on all manner of criminal cases from felonies to misdemeanors. I whole heartedly endorse this lawyer."
"Russell is hard-working and professional but still down to earth. Having known Russell for years, I don't hesitate in referring cases to him."
"I have worked with Mr. Hilton in the past. He is an experienced, knowledgeable advocate for his clients."
"I have know Mr. Hilton for many years. He is an excellent attorney who is deeply dedicated to his clients and always works hard on their behalf."
"I have referred clients to Russell in cases in which criminal and family law issues intertwine. While past performance cannot be indicative of any future result for other people, of course, Russell has nonetheless obtained great results in each of those matters. More importantly, my clients came back to me with tremendously positive things to say about him. I endorse this lawyer wholeheartedly."
"Russell is a well-seasoned lawyer with extensive courtroom experience. He is dedicated to strongly advocating for his clients, and I would recommend him to anyone looking for a criminal defense lawyer."
"Russell Hilton is an exceptional trial lawyer with the necessary skills and experience to help anyone in need of a criminal trial attorney."
"I had the pleasure of working with Russ during his years in the Solicitor's Office and always found him to be fair and extremely competent. I have no doubt he is an excellent advocate for his criminal defense clients and will serve them well."
"Russell Hilton is a stellar trial attorney with extensive courtroom experience. He's a pleasure to work with, understands client needs, and is extremely well regarded within the local bar and judiciary."
"Russell Hilton is a very competent and knowledgeable attorney. I highly recommend him."
"I endorse this lawyer. Russell has been an active member of the Charleston, SC, Tricounty community for many years and has demonstrated himself to be extremely capable in the area of criminal law. He is knowledgeable and reliable and holds himself to the highest standards of expertise."
"I have dealt with Mr. Hilton on criminal cases in his capacity as a prosecuting attorney for Dorchester County. He is a seasoned trial attorney with dozens of trials under his belt. He is also a good communicator and fair. Now, as a private practitioner, he handles a broader range of cases. I have referred cases to him and have faith that they will be handled competently and that the clients will be treated fairly. I would recommend him to anyone needing criminal defense or family law representation."
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Experience
Honors
2013
Service Appreciation Award, First Circuit Solicitor
2010
10 year service award, Dorchester County - SC
2005
Magna cum laude, Mississippi College School of Law
2004
Rankin County Bar Award, Rankin County Bar
2004
Hearin Fellow Scholarship, Mississippi College School of Law
2003
Hearin Fellow Scholarship, Mississippi College School of Law
Work Experience
2013 - Present
Owner, Russell D. Hilton, Attorney at Law, LLC
2005 - 2013
Assistant District Attorney, Dorchester County Solicitor's Office
2003 - 2003
Clerk, Barnwell Whaley Patterson & Helms, LLC
2003 - 2004
Assistant to Prof. Jeffrey Jackson (Insurance), Mississippi College School Of Law
1999 - 2005
Assistant, Dorchester County Solicitor's Office
Associations
2014 - Present
Federal Bar for South CarolinaAttorney Member
2013 - Present
Summerville Greater Chamber of CommerceMember
2013 - Present
Berkeley County Bar AssociationAttorney Member
2013 - Present
South Carolina Association of Criminal Defense LawyersAttorney Member
2005 - Present
Dorchester County Bar AssociationAttorney
2005 - Present
South Carolina BarAttorney
2015 - 2016
Dorchester County Bar AssociationPresident
2014 - 2015
Dorchester County Bar AssociationVice President
2006 - 2014
Cypress UMC CouncilChairperson
Sample of Legal Cases
State v. McCombs
Reversed - Successful
State v. Stephawn Brown
Sucessful
State v. Randall Benton
Sucessful
State v. Donsurvi Chisolm
Sucessful
Education
2005
Mississippi College School of Law
JD - Juris Doctor
1999
Charleston Southern University
BS - Bachelor of Science
1999
Charleston Southern University
BS - Bachelor of Science
Speaking Engagements
2014
2014 MAGISTRATES ADVISORY COUNCIL INTENSIVE TRAINING SEMINAR
Datamaster DMT
2013
Givhans Community Crime Watch
Crime Prevention
2013
Dorchester County Sheriff's Office
Legals - Dorchester Sheriff's Office Cadet Training
2013
Dorchester Children's Center
Introduction to Testimony
2012
Dorchester Children's Center
The Forensic Interview at Trial
2012
Dorchester Children's Center
Role as a forensic Interviewer – A prosecutor’s perspective
2011
St. George Rotary
The Criminal Process
Publications
2014
www.rhiltonlaw.com
Burglary. It's Descriptions, Classifications and Penalties in South Carolina
2014
www.rhiltonlaw.com
South Carolina Three Strikes Law - are you out?
2014
www.rhiltonlaw.com
Point system for traffic offenses in South Carolina
2014
www.rhiltonlaw.com
How Much Jail Time Can I Get for a Charge in South Carolina
2014
2013
www.rhiltonlaw.com
What goes into a Prosecutor's Recommendation?
2013
www.rhiltonlaw.com
Summary of South Carolina DUI Law
2013
www.rhiltonlaw.com
Carrying Handguns in Vehicles in South Carolina
2013
www.rhiltonlaw.com
Should I Use the Public Defender
2013
www.rhiltonlaw.com
Can my spouse dismiss a Criminal Domestic Violence / CDV charge against me?
2013
www.rhiltonlaw.com
10 Truths and Myths about Criminal Domestic Violence in South Carolina
2013
www.rhiltonlaw.com
What is a Preliminary Hearing?
2013
www.rhiltonlaw.com
How Much Jail Time Can I Get for a Drug Charge in South Carolina
2013
www.rhiltonlaw.com
South Carolina Will Forms and Templates
Languages
English
Activity
Legal Answers
Legal Answers
Q&A
Detective telling me to come in for interview ?
03 Jun 2021
Q&A
Is this a scam? Nudes between me and a minor.
28 Oct 2019
Q&A
In South Carolina, is an officer violating my rights by not asking me to perform a field sobriety test?
17 Sep 2019