What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? South Carolina. A couple of months ago, my wife and I had our first argument in 7 years. It was after a night of sipping wine and we were both a bit tipsy. I told the wife I was tired and was going to bed. She went downstairs first and when I came down, she had locked the bedroom door. I didn't even knock but simply went to the guest room and crawled into bed there just wanting sleep. I had a glass of wine on the night stand. A few minutes later wifey came in to continue the discussion. Not sure what was said that set her off but she threw the glass of wine in my face and eyes. I got up to wash out my eyes and wipe the wine off and wifey blocked the door. I asked her to move so I could get a towel and she refused. I pushed her aside and left for the bathroom. When I came back, she was on the floor crying. We decided to go to bed together and talk in the morning. About 30 minutes later the police arrive and I answer the door. They said they had a 911 call hang up from our location. You can imagine the rest. Wifey refused to give a statement and told the police that she made a mistake in dialing 911 and that she was upset and emotional, I was taken to a detention center and the State filed charges against me. That is the background. My wife then wrote a statement to the Solicitors office stating what I have outlined above saying she wanted the charges dismissed as nothing really happened and that she fell down that night because she had too much to drink she also pointed out that she told the police that the 911 call was a mistake. Court date on Oct. 4 and when it was our turn they offered me a PTI (Pre Trial Intervention) which would have dropped the charges if I agreed to a large list of things to do including 26 weeks of anger management, 60 hours of community service, 1 day of lifestyle training, random drug testing and a few other things. After proving there was never a restraining order issued, my wife and I went out in the hall to discuss options. We decided to do the trial right then in front of the Magistrate figuring that once he heard our story he would dismiss the charges. Well, after telling the story just as it happend as outlined above, it took him about 1/2 second to find me guilty of criminal domestic violence! I asked if I coud appeal and he said I could and gave me 14 days to file the appeal or to pay a $2,500 fine and this will then be on my record. What do you experts recommend I do? Can I ask for a jury trial at this point? They had told me originally that I had to ask for a jury trial BEFORE the trial with the Magistrate, this seems unfair. Wifey is extremely upset that no one listened to her.
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