Armed Robbery and Strong-Armed Robbery

Armed robbery in SC is a violent crime that police and prosecutors usually investigate and prosecute aggressively.

In every armed robbery case, there is an alleged victim who may be pushing the case, and there may be media coverage. Police and prosecutors feel that they must solve the case and get a conviction – they are under huge pressure from elected officials, the media, and the community to close their case and keep the community safe.

If you have been charged with armed robbery or if you believe you are under investigation for armed robbery, get help now. Do not talk to police or investigators until you have met with your criminal defense lawyer.

What are the elements of armed robbery and strong-armed robbery in SC?

Armed Robbery is when a person uses a deadly weapon during a robbery -or- when they pretend to use a deadly weapon to commit a robbery.

For example, if a person presents a toy gun to rob a convenience store, or any other object that the store clerk believed to be a deadly weapon, that would qualify as an armed robbery.

Armed robbery in South Carolina state courts is punishable by a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years and up to 30 years in prison. Parole cannot be granted until at least 7 years have been served.

Attempted armed robbery in SC is punishable by up to 20 years in prison.

Strong-armed robbery, also known as common law robbery, is when there is a robbery, but the defendant does not use a deadly weapon.

Strong-armed robbery is a lesser included offense of armed robbery. This means that, if a jury in an armed robbery trial finds that the defendant did not use a deadly weapon, the defendant can be found guilty of strong-armed robbery instead of armed robbery.

Strong-armed robbery is punishable by up to 15 years in prison and does not have a mandatory minimum sentence. Strong-armed robbery is also eligible for a YOA (youthful offender act) sentence if the defendant qualifies - a YOA conviction can be expunged five years after the sentence is completed.

Because strong-armed robbery does not have a mandatory minimum sentence, probation is an option in some cases.

Eyewitness identifications are often an issue in armed robbery cases, and, if the offense occurred in a store or business, there is usually video of the incident.

When you have issues in your case such as faulty eyewitness identification, a coerced confession, or grainy and hard to see video footage, we will help you to retain the experts that you need to examine the evidence and testify at your trial.

Lacey Thompson limits her practice to criminal defense cases in SC courts, which allows her to focus on criminal defense law and criminal defense trial practice to better serve her clients.

If you have been charged with armed robbery or strong armed robbery in Horry County, Richland County, or Lexington County, call the Thompson & Hiller Defense Firm now at (843) 444-6122 or contact us online.