Greenville SC Robbery Defense Lawyers

Robbery is a serious criminal charge in South Carolina that carries a serious sentence. In fact, armed robbery charges carry mandatory minimum sentences that can be as high as ten years in state prison. If you or someone you care about is facing a robbery charge, it’s time to consult with an experienced Greenville, South Carolina, criminal defense attorney.

The Criminal Charge of Robbery

Robbery is the criminal act of taking someone else’s property from them in the presence of the owner by use of either threat or force, and it is sometimes called strong-arm robbery, which means the crime didn’t involve the use of a weapon. Robbery is a Class D felony in South Carolina that can carry up to 15 years in prison.

Armed Robbery

It is a more serious offense still to use a weapon in the commission of robbery, which is charged as armed robbery and is categorized as a Class A felony that carries up to 30 years behind bars. For the charge to reach this level, it isn’t necessary for a gun to be involved. Instead, any of the following will suffice:

• The accused carried an obvious weapon, such as a gun or a knife.
• The accused carried something that could be used to cause serious harm, such as a bat or a brick.
• The accused carried something that the victim reasonably believed was a deadly weapon, such as a fake gun or any kind of simulated weapon.

An individual who is facing an armed robbery charge can also face the weapons charge of possession of a deadly weapon during a robbery, which is a felony in and of itself that carries a prison sentence of up to 20 years.

Attempted Robbery

Attempted robbery is also a crime in South Carolina, and it’s charged as a felony. When a deadly weapon is involved or when the accused makes the victim believe a deadly weapon is involved, the charge is a Class C felony that carries up to 20 years of prison time.

Weapons Identified as Deadly in South Carolina

For the purposes of robbery charges, South Carolina specifically identifies all the following as deadly weapons:

• A set of metal knuckles
• A pistol
• A razor
• A slingshot
• A Dirk – or dagger

Again, however, anything that can cause serious bodily harm fits the bill.

An Experienced Greenville Criminal Defense Attorney Is Standing By to Help

If you’re facing a robbery charge, your future hangs in the balance, but having a trusted criminal defense attorney on your side can make all the difference. The savvy criminal defense attorneys at Ryan Beasley Law in Greenville, South Carolina, appreciate the gravity of your situation and are committed to employing the full force of their impressive experience and legal skill in support of your legal rights and in pursuit of your case’s most favorable resolution. Your case is important, so please don’t hesitate to reach out and contact us online or call 864-679-7777 for more information about what we can do to help you today.