Robbery charges in Columbia, South Carolina mean facing some of the state's harshest criminal penalties—mandatory minimum sentences, decades in prison, and violent felony convictions that destroy every opportunity for normal life after release.
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Whether arrested after an alleged convenience store holdup on Two Notch Road, accused of strong-arm robbery near USC's campus, or charged with armed robbery in downtown Columbia, you're confronting prosecutors who treat these cases as priorities requiring maximum sentences. South Carolina law doesn't require that you actually harmed anyone or even possessed a real weapon—threatening gestures, implied force, or taking property through intimidation alone can result in armed robbery convictions carrying 10 years to life imprisonment without parole eligibility.
Matt McGuire has defended robbery allegations in Columbia for over three decades, trying cases in Richland and Lexington County courtrooms where juries must be convinced that what prosecutors call robbery was actually misidentification, false accusation, consensual transaction, or lesser offense not involving force or threats. Call (888) 499-5738 now for 24/7/365 representation.
Robbery defense demands an attorney who can challenge eyewitness identification, expose investigative failures, and present alternative theories that create reasonable doubt in the minds of jurors.
Over 30 years defending armed robbery, strong-arm robbery, and violent felony charges in Columbia. We understand what it takes to fight these serious allegations effectively.
Mistaken identification causes wrongful convictions. We challenge lineup procedures, cross-racial identification issues, and stress-induced memory failures that plague robbery cases.
We obtain and analyze security footage from Columbia-area businesses, often revealing suspects with different physical characteristics than our clients.
We conduct exhaustive investigations to find time-stamped evidence, witnesses, and documentation proving you were elsewhere when alleged robberies occurred.
When appropriate, we negotiate reductions to larceny or non-violent property crimes, eliminating mandatory minimums and violent felony classifications.
South Carolina classifies robbery offenses based on the level of force, weapon involvement, and circumstances—each carrying severe mandatory penalties.
Under S.C. Code § 16-11-330, taking property using a weapon or anything representing a deadly weapon carries mandatory minimum 10 years up to 30 years without parole.
Common law robbery uses force or intimidation without weapons to take property, punishable by up to 15 years in South Carolina Department of Corrections.
South Carolina courts define force broadly—grabbing purses, pushing victims, or snatching items from hands constitutes sufficient force for robbery convictions.
Includes realistic-looking toy guns, BB guns, or even fingers pointed under clothing representing firearms during Columbia robberies.
Charges apply when you allegedly tried taking property through force but didn't complete the theft—still carrying severe felony penalties.
Robbery as a violent crime requires defendants to serve nearly entire sentences before any release consideration—no early parole.
Armed robbery carries mandatory minimum imprisonment with no judicial discretion to impose lesser sentences regardless of circumstances.
When you're facing decades in prison for robbery charges, you need an attorney who will fight relentlessly and leave no stone unturned in your defense.
Robbery charges require aggressive defense from day one. We challenge evidence, cross-examine witnesses, and fight for dismissals, acquittals, and charge reductions.
Evidence disappears quickly in robbery cases. We act immediately to preserve surveillance footage, interview witnesses, and begin building your defense.
You work directly with Matt McGuire, not junior associates. Your robbery case gets personal attention from an attorney with 30+ years of trial experience.
We provide straightforward analysis of your case—the evidence against you, your defense options, and realistic expectations based on our extensive experience.
Whether pursuing trial acquittal or negotiating the best possible resolution, we put maximum effort into every robbery defense case we handle.
Every robbery case has potential defenses—from mistaken identification to lack of force to constitutional violations that can result in dismissal or acquittal.
Challenging eyewitness identifications made under stress, poor lighting, or cross-racial identification difficulties that create wrongful convictions.
Using time-stamped receipts, surveillance from other locations, work records, or witness testimony proving you were elsewhere during the alleged robbery.
Proving alleged "deadly weapons" were harmless items, toys, or objects not capable of causing death or serious injury—reducing charges.
Showing property exchanges were consensual transactions, repayment disputes, or civil matters mischaracterized as criminal robbery.
Attacking illegal searches, coerced confessions, or lineup procedures that violated due process protections requiring evidence suppression.
Exposing cooperation agreements, prior inconsistent statements, or motives to fabricate by co-defendants implicating others for reduced sentences.
Robbery cases require an attorney with trial experience, investigative resources, and the credibility to challenge prosecution evidence effectively in Richland County courtrooms.
Matt McGuire has defended robbery charges throughout Columbia for over 30 years, achieving not-guilty verdicts and negotiating charge reductions that saved clients from mandatory minimums.
As a former Assistant Attorney General and Assistant Solicitor, Matt understands how prosecutors build robbery cases—and where those cases are vulnerable to attack.
We appear regularly before Richland County judges who know our reputation. Local knowledge and established relationships provide strategic advantages.
We conduct thorough independent investigations—obtaining surveillance footage, locating witnesses, and gathering evidence before it disappears.
We understand how to negotiate around mandatory minimums when possible, reducing charges to non-violent offenses that don't trigger automatic prison sentences.
Robbery convictions carry devastating consequences that extend far beyond prison sentences—permanently altering your life, rights, and opportunities.
Robbery convictions create permanent barriers to employment, professional licensing, housing, student loans, and voting rights restoration.
Robbery charges raise urgent questions about penalties, defenses, and what happens next. Here are direct answers from an experienced Columbia defense attorney.
Robbery involves taking property through force, intimidation, or threats. Simple theft (larceny) involves taking property without force. The presence of force or threats elevates charges dramatically.
Armed robbery carries mandatory minimum prison sentences with no probation option. Strong-arm robbery may allow probation in some cases, but prosecutors typically seek prison time.
South Carolina law treats objects representing weapons—including toy guns or implied weapons—as sufficient for armed robbery charges and mandatory minimums.
Yes. We challenge eyewitness identifications through expert testimony about memory reliability, lineup procedure flaws, and alibi evidence proving you were elsewhere.
South Carolina's accomplice liability means presence during robbery can result in identical charges as the principal actor. Defense strategy differs but consequences can be equally severe.
Never. Robbery cases are built on suspect statements. Invoke your right to remain silent immediately and call Matt McGuire before answering any questions.
Yes. Depending on evidence, we may negotiate reductions to larceny or non-violent property crimes, eliminating mandatory minimums and violent felony classifications.
South Carolina requires defendants convicted of violent crimes including robbery to serve at least 85% of their sentence before any parole consideration—effectively eliminating early release.
With over 30 years of experience defending South Carolina, McGuire Law provides elite legal representation with national recognition. McGuire Law has grown from a small practice into one of the most trusted law firms in South Carolina. We understand that legal issues can be overwhelming, whether you're facing criminal charges, dealing with injuries from an accident, or navigating family law matters.
McGuire Law is committed to each client's unique situation, and we don't believe in boilerplate solutions. Every case requires careful analysis, strategic planning, and aggressive representation. Our firm combines over 30 years of experience with cutting-edge legal strategies to achieve the best possible outcomes for our clients.
McGuire Law serves all 46 South Carolina counties. We know these counties, their courts, their legal communities, and most importantly, the people who live here. This local knowledge, combined with our legal expertise, gives our clients a significant advantage.
Matt McGuire received his B.A. from the University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill and his J.D. from the University of South Carolina.
Matt has served as a law clerk for a State Circuit Judge, an Assistant Attorney General for the State of South Carolina, and an Assistant Solicitor in the Fifth Circuit Solicitor's Office.
Matt is a proud husband, father of two, and a long-time resident of Richland County, South Carolina.
Don't wait while prosecutors build their case against you. Every day that passes is time for witnesses to disappear and evidence to be lost. Call McGuire Law now and experience the difference that aggressive, experienced defense can make.
Matt McGuire has defended robbery charges throughout Columbia and South Carolina for over three decades, achieving not-guilty verdicts in Richland County courtrooms and negotiating charge reductions that saved clients from mandatory minimums. Call (888) 499-5738 immediately for 24/7/365 representation, or schedule your confidential case evaluation through our online chat.
