South Carolina Bank Robbery Lawyer

While most criminal allegations of robbery and theft result in arrest by local law enforcement and prosecution by state authorities, one common and somewhat unique exception is bank robbery. If someone is accused of taking money or anything else of value from a bank through the threat or use of force, they may face prosecution under federal law—and accordingly, they may have to contend with more serious penalties if they case ends with their conviction.

Whether you are dealing with federal or state charges for theft of bank property, a South Carolina bank robbery lawyer could provide custom-tailored assistance crafting a comprehensive defense strategy. In addition to protecting your legal rights during your investigation and trial, a seasoned theft attorney could also negotiate with prosecutors on your behalf in pursuit of a more equitable case resolution with less severe long-term consequences.

How Federal Law Defines Bank Robbery

18 U.S. Code § 2113 defines the federal criminal offense of bank robbery, as well as numerous related offenses and a few lesser-included crimes that may apply in certain situations. The archetypal form of bank robbery, involving the attempted or actual taking of money or property either belonging to or in the custody of a bank or credit union through the use or threat of violence, is a felony offense under this section of federal law, punishable by a maximum $250,000 fine and/or 20-year prison sentence.

In addition, anyone who assaults another person or puts another person’s life in physical danger during the commission of a bank robbery may face up to 25 years in federal prison upon conviction. Any such act resulting in someone’s death could lead to life imprisonment or death.

Conversely, someone who takes money or property from a bank or credit union without using or threatening force may face a maximum sentence of one year or ten years in federal custody, depending on whether the value of what they allegedly took was less than or greater than $1,000. A South Carolina bank robbery attorney could explain this federal statute in more detail and go over how it might apply to an individual’s unique circumstances.

Fighting Bank Robbery Charges at the State Level

South Carolina Code of Laws §16-11-380(A) makes it unlawful for someone to enter a bank, depository, or savings and loans building—or any part of a building occupied by such an entity—with the intent to steal money, securities, or anything of value by intimidation or force. Likewise, S.C. Code §16-11-380(B) makes it a crime to steal money or items of value through the use or threat of force directly from a person who just finished using the services of a bank or ATM.

A conviction under the former subsection allows for a maximum sentence of 30 years in state prison upon conviction, whereas a conviction under the latter subsection is punishable by no more than 20 years of imprisonment plus a fine of up to $10,000. Assistance from a lawyer in South Carolina may be crucial to fighting bank robbery charges under these state-level statutes as well.

Get in Touch with a South Carolina Bank Robbery Attorney Today

Even if your criminal history is completely clean, a single conviction on charges of bank robbery could lead to life-altering consequences. A negative outcome to your case could leave you facing several decades behind bars, and any allegation that you caused serious or fatal injury to someone in the course of committing this offense could increase applicable penalties upon conviction even more.

Retaining a South Carolina bank robbery lawyer should be a top priority as soon as you learn of a charge or investigation of this nature against you. Call today for a consultation.