South Carolina Robbery Lawyer

Robbery is a serious crime in South Carolina that can lead to a sentence in a state prison. In some cases, there are mandatory minimum sentences for armed-robbery offenses. These mandatory sentences can sometimes be as many as 10 years.

If you are facing charges for any form of robbery, it is important to consult a South Carolina robbery lawyer. A dedicated theft attorney could work to minimize the impact of these charges and seek the best possible resolution. En Español

Common Law Robbery in South Carolina

Under the common law, robbery is the taking of property from a person or in the presence of a person by threat or force. This is sometimes referred to as a strong-arm robbery. There is no weapon used in a strong-arm robbery. In South Carolina, there are additional statutes that make it a more severe offense to commit a robbery with a weapon (armed robbery).

Common law robbery is a felony in South Carolina. Section 16-11-325 of the South Carolina Code states that strong-arm robbery is punishable by up to 15 years in a state prison, and anyone facing these charges should enlist the assistance of an experienced attorney.

How the Charges Change When a Deadly Weapon is Involved

Section 16-11-330 of the South Carolina Code makes it a felony to commit a robbery with any object reasonably believed to be a deadly weapon. This could be an obvious weapon such as a gun or knife but could also include a brick or club. This would also include a fake gun or another simulated weapon, as these objects could be reasonably believed to be deadly weapons.

Robbery with a deadly weapon carries a minimum mandatory sentence of 10 years in prison in the state of South Carolina. The maximum penalty for this crime is 30 years in prison. A South Carolina robbery attorney could help an individual seek the best possible outcome for their case.

Attempted Robbery

South Carolina Code Section 16-11-330 specifically makes it a felony to commit attempted robbery. Under common law, an attempt requires two elements, intent to commit a crime and, steps or conduct towards the completion of that crime.

In some cases, a defendant’s abandonment of the attempt to commit the crime can act as a defense. This can be very difficult to prove and typically requires the representation of a South Carolina robbery lawyer. Attempted robbery does not have a minimum sentence but carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.

Speaking With a South Carolina Robbery Attorney

Common law robbery (strong-arm robbery), robbery with a deadly weapon (armed robbery), and the attempted robbery can all lead to severe penalties. An attorney could defend you at trial, raise defenses, explain mitigating circumstances, argue innocence, or possibly negotiate a plea to a reduced charge.

If you find yourself facing a robbery charge, contact a South Carolina robbery lawyer to learn more about your options. They could help you understand your options and protect your rights throughout the entire process. Call today to set up a free consultation.