Robbery charges are a very serious offense in Pennsylvania. Under state law, a robbery occurs when someone steals something using threats or force. Depending on the facts of your case, you could face years in prison and fines of up to $25,000. If you have a record of other violent crimes or you injure someone, you could find yourself incarcerated for up to 20 years.
Just because you are facing robbery charges does not mean you have to accept the conviction without a fight. A robbery lawyer in Montgomery County can help you get the best possible outcome based on the facts of your case. At the McKenzie Law Firm, P.C., we pride ourselves on being a trusted defense counsel in Montgomery County for criminal matters. Call us today at 610-680-7842 for a free case evaluation and consultation, and let us go to work for you.
What Do I Need to Know About a Pennsylvania Robbery Charge?
A number of behaviors fall under the category of robbery in Pennsylvania. This includes any situation where someone takes, holds, or controls someone else’s property to benefit themselves or deprive the owner—and does so with the threat or use of force. A robbery could also involve a separate crime categorized as a first- or second-degree felony.
For example, imagine one person held another person at gunpoint and stole their wallet. The aggressor would likely face robbery charges. They threatened bodily harm with a gun in order to take property that belonged to the victim.
In addition, Pennsylvania law also classifies all theft from financial institutions that include demanding money from an employee as robberies. The most common example is a bank robber handing a note or verbally demanding cash from a bank teller.
For a free legal consultation with a robbery lawyer serving Montgomery County, call (610) 680-7842
Possible Penalties From a Montgomery County Robbery Conviction
You could face felony charges after a robbery conviction in Pennsylvania. The severity of your charges and the corresponding penalties will depend on the circumstances of your case.
Third-Degree Felony Robbery
In general, robbery is a third-degree felony. A conviction of this type of crime could mean spending up to seven years in prison and paying fines up to $15,000. This is the best scenario if you face a conviction. Pennsylvania law treats robberies as very serious crimes, and they always have stiff penalties. They do, however, vary significantly depending on the details of the specific crime. As the threats of violence become more serious or injuries occur, the possible prison time increases.
Second-Degree Felony Robbery
When a minor injury occurs during a robbery, it qualifies as a second-degree felony. The penalties associated with a conviction could include up to a decade in prison and up to $25,000 in fines. Threats of minor injuries during a robbery can also fall into this category. Finally, bank robberies are usually classified as second-degree felonies, even if they do not lead to serious injuries.
First-Degree Felony Robbery
If another person suffers a serious injury during a robbery, the prosecutor will likely charge it as a first-degree felony. A conviction could mean paying up to $25,000 in fines and spending as much as 20 years in prison. The same is true for a threat of serious injury.
Montgomery County Robbery Lawyer Near Me (610) 680-7842
The Role of a Robbery Lawyer in Montgomery County
As you can see, a conviction in a Montgomery County robbery case could drastically change your life. If you go to prison, you will likely lose your job. You might also lose educational opportunities. The time spent in prison will force you away from your family and friends for several years. It is our goal to keep you out of prison or limit the time you have to spend there. If you enlist our help on your case, we will fight tirelessly for the best possible outcome based on the situation at hand.
Our criminal defense team will conduct a full investigation into exactly what happened before, during, and after your arrest. We strive to understand why the police believe you threatened and stole from the victim or victims. We use what we learn during this process to build a strong defense on your behalf.
There are some common defenses to a robbery charge, but we will base our case on the specific facts of your situation. We may be able to uncover evidence to make the jury question whether a theft actually occurred. If we can raise this question, it will be difficult for them to return a guilty verdict.
One of the most common ways we can fight these charges is to show the lack of injuries and fear from the victims. If the prosecutors cannot show you forced or threatened the alleged victims, they cannot prove you committed robbery. Without force or threats, taking someone else’s property falls under the category of a theft crime. Many theft crimes are misdemeanors, not felonies. By reducing the charges from robbery to theft, we can also significantly reduce the fines and jail time you face.
In some cases, there are questions about whether the police acted appropriately. If we can show your arrest involved entrapment, we may be able to get your charges dropped entirely. If the police failed to get permission or obtain a search warrant before searching your vehicle or home, the judge may throw out any evidence they collected. This could lead them to drop the charges based on a lack of evidence.
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Talk to a Robbery Lawyer in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, About Your Case
Attorney David C. McKenzie III can review your case and put a plan in place to fight the charges against you. Robbery is a serious offense. It could mean spending years in prison if you do not have a strong defense. The McKenzie Law Firm, P.C., may be able to help you win a not guilty verdict, reduce the charges you face, or have the charges dropped entirely.
Call us today at 610-680-7842 for a free case review and consultation. Let us go to work on your case and help you get the best possible outcome available.
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