What are the potential penalties for a robbery conviction?
Answer:
Common-law robbery carries up to 15 years in South Carolina. Armed robbery generally carries 10 to 30 years, with statutory restrictions on suspension and probation. Prior convictions and other applicable rules can change the analysis. Time-served requirements should not be confused with automatic parole or a guaranteed release date.
Current-law clarification — October 19, 2026: The original recording’s 85% reference should not be treated as automatic parole eligibility. South Carolina Code §§ 24-13-100 and 24-13-150 address no-parole offenses and sentence-service limits. Review those provisions separately from the robbery sentencing statutes.
The potential sentence for robbery depends on the exact offense. South Carolina distinguishes common-law robbery from armed robbery, and the sentencing provisions are different.
Common-law robbery carries a maximum of 15 years. Armed robbery generally carries a statutory range of 10 to 30 years, with restrictions on suspending the sentence or granting probation.
Our attorney discusses the significance of those differences when reviewing a case and possible resolutions. A lower charge or reduced sentence is not guaranteed; the evidence and the governing law must support the proposed outcome.
Release rules require separate attention. Serving 85% of a sentence does not guarantee parole eligibility or release. No-parole classifications and sentence-service requirements must be reviewed under the applicable statutes and circumstances.
A robbery defense attorney can explain the charge, the sentencing exposure, and any effect of qualifying prior convictions before discussing the options available.