Orangeburg County Robbery Lawyer

Among the various forms of theft that South Carolina state law classifies as unique criminal offenses, robbery is considered one of the most severe, and accordingly can result in especially harsh punishments upon conviction. If you are currently facing allegations of robbing or attempting to rob another individual, the quality of your legal counsel could make a huge difference in your odds of achieving a positive case outcome.

Fortunately, help is available from a seasoned Orangeburg County robbery lawyer who has helped individuals like you through similar situations in the past. Once retained, your dedicated defense attorney could ensure you understand all your legal options and work tenaciously on your behalf to defend your best interests.

How Does State Law Defines Robbery?

State law differentiates between common law robbery—also known as “strong-armed robbery”—and armed robbery, both of which are considered felony offenses. The former offense entails someone using or threatening force to take money or property directly from someone else’s person while neither possessing nor alleging that they have a deadly weapon. Armed robbery occurs when someone uses, brandishes, or possesses a deadly weapon during the commission of a robbery.

Notably, a “deadly weapon” in this context does not have to be a firearm—other examples of possible deadly weapons explicitly mentioned in the state statutes include slingshots, razors, metal knuckles, and daggers. Furthermore, attempted armed robbery is still considered a serious felony offense, even if the alleged perpetrator does not actually take anything from their alleged target. An Orangeburg County robbery attorney could offer further clarification about how both state statutes and criminal courts approach these types of charges.

Potential Consequences of a Robbery Conviction

According to South Carolina Code of Laws §16-11-325, common law robbery is a felony offense for which a convicted defendant may be sentenced to a maximum of fifteen years of imprisonment. S.C. Code §16-11-330(A) treats armed robbery even more seriously, requiring a minimum sentence of 10 years in prison and allowing for a maximum sentence of 30 years upon conviction for this offense, and prohibiting parole for any convicted defendant until they have served at least seven years.

Finally, S.C. Code §16-11-330(B) makes a conviction for attempted armed robbery punishable by a maximum prison sentence of 20 years. Since all forms of robbery are felonies in the state of South Carolina, anyone convicted of robbery will invariably have to deal with additional consequences even after they are released from prison, including the loss of civil rights like the right to vote and the right to own a firearm.

Assistance from an experienced robbery lawyer in Orangeburg County can be essential to building a comprehensive defense strategy and executing on it effectively during prosecutorial proceedings. It is often possible to contest robbery allegations by challenging the validity of eyewitness testimony or arguing that the defendant’s actions do not meet the strict legal criteria of strong-armed or armed robbery, but optimal case strategies will vary depending on the situation.

Talk to an Orangeburg County Robbery Attorney Today

Fighting against robbery accusations can be nearly impossible to manage without professional legal guidance, especially if you have been convicted on similar charges before. If you want to improve your chances of a favorable case result, you should make retaining experienced legal counsel a priority.

An Orangeburg County robbery lawyer could be a steadfast ally throughout every stage of your case, helping you protect your rights and working to secure a positive resolution on your behalf. Learn more by calling today.