Armed Robbery and Strong-Armed Robbery Defense Lawyer in Charleston, SC
Like homicide and other violent crimes, Charleston, SC prosecutors take armed robbery cases very seriously and prosecute them aggressively – in most cases, they are under intense pressure from the community and the media to solve robberies and get convictions…
If you have been charged with armed robbery, or if investigators are contacting you asking questions, do not talk to law enforcement – contact your Charleston criminal defense attorney immediately.
Armed Robbery
Armed robbery in SC is when a person uses a deadly weapon (ie gun, knife) or pretends to use a deadly weapon (fake gun, finger in pocket to look like a gun) to rob a person or a business.
Armed robbery carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years and as much as 30 years in prison.
Attempted armed robbery is a separate criminal offense in SC that carries up to 20 years in prison.
Strong-Armed Robbery
Strong-armed robbery in SC is when a robbery occurs but a deadly weapon is not used – the defendant uses physical force or threats to take the property.
Strong-armed robbery carries a potential penalty of up to 15 years in prison, but:
- Probation is an option in some cases; and
- Strong-armed robbery is eligible for a YOA (youthful offender act) sentence, which allows for expungement five years after the completion of the sentence.
Strong-armed robbery is a lesser-included offense of armed robbery – armed robbery charges can be reduced to strong-armed robbery for purposes of a plea agreement, or a jury can find a defendant guilty of the lesser-included offense of strong-armed robbery after trial.
How Do You Defend Against Armed-Robbery Charges?
The available defenses always depend on the facts of your case, but there are common issues that we see in many armed robbery cases, some of which will require expert witnesses to review the state’s evidence and testify at trial when needed, like:
- Eyewitness identifications;
- Hard to see or grainy surveillance videos;
- Coerced confessions; and
- Examination of other forensic evidence taken from the crime scene.
SC Armed Robbery and Strong-Armed Robbery Defense Attorney in Charleston
Charleston criminal defense attorney Grant B. Smaldone has years of experience defending violent crime charges, including armed robbery and strong-armed robbery charges. If you have been charged with robbery or if you believe you are under investigation for an armed robbery, call now at (843) 808-2100 or fill out our online contact form to schedule a free consultation.