Columbia Robbery Lawyer

The State of South Carolina treats robbery charges and convictions very seriously, and a robbery conviction has the potential to land a criminal defendant in jail for many years. If you have been charged with robbery in the State of South Carolina, you need experienced legal counsel on your side advocating for your rights every step of the way.

A knowledgeable Columbia robbery lawyer may be able to assist you with formulating good legal defenses to your robbery charge. A good legal defense can go a long way in helping you obtain a dismissal of your charge or a favorable plea deal with the prosecutor who is handling your case.

A skilled defense attorney may also be able to help you obtain a reduced sentence – or a period of probation or parole (as opposed to jail time) – upon sustaining a robbery conviction.

Defining Robbery in South Carolina

Robbery refers to intentionally taking or depriving an innocent victim of property, through the use of force or threats of force, with the intention of permanently depriving the victim of said property. There are types of robbery in South Carolina, strong-arm robbery (common law) and armed robbery.

Most states, including the State of South Carolina, also criminalize armed robbery, which is a separate and distinct crime from a strong-arm robbery. Armed robbery is defined in much the same way as robbery, except that armed robbery must be committed with a deadly or dangerous weapon, such as a knife, firearm, or other instrument or device that is capable of inflicting serious bodily injury or death. Regardless of which type of offense is being alleged, both warrant the attention of a Columbia robbery attorney.

Possible Penalties upon Conviction

In the State of South Carolina, crimes may be classified as felonies or as misdemeanors. Of the two classifications, felonies make up the more serious crimes. A felony is generally punishable by more than one year of incarceration, while a misdemeanor is generally punishable by up to one year in prison – or by fines or other penalties.

Due to the serious nature of a robbery conviction, along with the danger a convicted robber poses to the public-at-large, robbery is classified as a felony under South Carolina law. A strong-arm robbery conviction may result in a prison term of up to 15 years, while an armed robbery conviction has a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years and may result in a prison term of up to 30 years making it imperative that a Columbia robbery attorney is consulted as soon as possible after an allegation has taken place.

Possible Defenses to Robbery and Armed Robbery Charges

A criminal defendant may be able to assert some or all of the following legal defenses in response to a charge of robbery or armed robbery:

• Duress – in cases where another individual essentially “forced” the defendant to commit the crime or threatened the defendant with death or grave bodily harm if he did not commit the crime.
• Entrapment – in cases where the police or investigators unlawfully coerced or incited the defendant to commit the crime.
• Improper or illegal search and seizure – where police officers or investigators violated the Fourth or Fifth Amendment to the United States Constitution.
• Misidentification – victim incorrectly identifies an innocent person.
• The inability of the alleged victim to correctly identify the suspect – in cases where the alleged victim is unable to identify the defendant as the person who committed the robbery.

Talk to a Columbia Robbery Attorney Today

South Carolina robbery charges and convictions are serious business. If you have been charged with strong-arm robbery or armed robbery in the State of South Carolina, an experienced Columbia robbery lawyer may be able to assist you with your case today. Contact us today to get started.