D.Tyler Bratton, esq.

Tyler Bratton – Criminal Defense Attorney, Axelrod & Associates, P.A. (Rock Hill Office)

Born and raised in York County, South Carolina, Tyler Bratton has deep roots in the community he now serves.  Tyler graduated from Clemson University Magna Cum Laude, where he studied a rigorous curriculum in pre-medicine and business management before earning his law degree from the Charleston School of Law.

After law school, Tyler began his legal career as a law clerk to the Honorable Lee S. Alford, Resident Circuit Court Judge for the Sixteenth Judicial Circuit, covering York and Union Counties. Under Judge Alford’s mentorship, Tyler learned to think critically, analyze complex cases, and view the law from every perspective—judge, jury, victim, and defendant. The lessons he learned in those years continue to guide his work in the courtroom today.

Tyler went on to serve as a prosecutor in Conway, South Carolina, where he handled a wide range of criminal cases—from minor offenses to serious violent crimes. That experience gave him a firsthand understanding of how prosecutors build their cases and how police investigations unfold. Tyler also saw the human side of the criminal justice system: victims seeking justice, defendants struggling with addiction or mental health challenges, and communities striving for safety and fairness. He became a firm believer that justice should be both fair and compassionate, and that every person deserves to be treated with dignity.

Today, as a criminal defense attorney at Axelrod & Associates in Rock Hill, Tyler draws on his 360-degree perspective of the justice system to protect the rights of individuals accused of crimes across York and Union Counties. He knows how prosecutors think, how judges rule, and how juries decide—and he uses that insight to build strong, strategic defenses for his clients. Tyler approaches every case with the same dedication and integrity he learned from his mentors, focusing not just on the legal outcome but on helping clients move forward with their lives.

Rooted in his faith and family values, Tyler remains active in his community through Tirzah Presbyterian Church and his work with Bethelwoods Children’s Camp and Conference Center, where he serves on the Board of Directors. When he’s not in the courtroom, he enjoys spending time outdoors—hunting, fishing, riding ATVs, or simply sharing a meal with family and friends.

Tyler believes that true advocacy begins with understanding all sides of a case:

“You cannot properly present a case to a jury of twelve citizens unless you can see a case from all angles.”
– Tyler Bratton

Areas of Practice

• Criminal Defense
• DUI and Drug Offenses
• Public Defender Representation

Bar Admissions

• South Carolina

Education

• Charleston School of Law
  • Juris Doctor (JD)
• Clemson University
  • Bachelor’s Degree – Magna Cum Laude

Professional Experience

• Public Defender – Union and York Counties
• Former Prosecutor – Conway, South Carolina
• Law Clerk to the Hon. Lee S. Alford – Sixteenth Judicial Circuit

Community Involvement

• Board Member – Bethelwoods Children’s Camp and Conference Center
• Member – Tirzah Presbyterian Church