Robbery allegations seriously affect your reputation and ability to maintain or secure future employment. If you were recently arrested for robbery or are facing any of these charges, contact a theft attorney for immediate help.
What is the Legal Definition of Robbery?
Robbery means the taking of money or other property which may be the subject of larceny from the person or custody of another, with intent to either permanently or temporarily deprive the person or the owner of the money or other property, when in the course of the taking there is the use of force, violence, assault, or putting in fear.
If in the course of committing the crime, the offender carried a firearm or other deadly weapon, then the robbery is a felony of the first degree, punishable by imprisonment for a term of years not exceeding life imprisonment. If in the course of committing the offense the offender carried a weapon, then the robbery is a felony of the first degree.
Finally, if in the course of committing the robbery the offender carried no firearm, deadly weapon, or other weapon, then the crime is a felony of the second degree. An experienced attorney in Ft. Lauderdale can help an individual understand the circumstances surrounding their robbery charge.
Robbery by Sudden Snatching
Robbery by sudden snatching means the taking of money or other property from the alleged victim’s person, with intent to permanently or temporarily deprive the victim or the owner of the money or other property, when, in the course of the taking, the alleged victim was or became aware of the taking. In order to satisfy this definition, it is not necessary to show that:
- The offender used any amount of force beyond that effort necessary to obtain possession of the money or other property; or
- There was any resistance offered by the victim to the offender or that there was injury to the victim’s person.
If, in the course of committing a robbery by sudden snatching, the offender carried a firearm or other deadly weapon, the offense is a felony of the second degree. Further, if in the course of committing this crime, the offender carried no firearm or other deadly weapon, the robbery is a felony of the third degree. Such parameters of robbery by sudden snatching can be best understood by retaining a Ft. Lauderdale attorney.
Penalties for Robbery
There are various penalties that someone may face when charged with robbery. Typically, the defendant may face time in jail, fines, and probation. When this offense is charged as a second-degree felony offense, a person may be sentenced to 15 years in jail and a $10,000 fine. However, if the defendant is guilty of armed robbery, they may be charged with a first-degree felony offense. In this case, they may face 30 years in prison and a $10,000. In addition to these criminal penalties, robbery charges can also impact a person’s ability to find a job or housing. Our attorneys in Ft. Lauderdale could help someone avoid or minimize the penalties associated with their robbery charges.
Contact a Ft. Lauderdale Robbery Attorney
Each robbery case needs to be examined to determine if it can be dismissed and removed from an individual’s record. If the case gets dismissed, dropped, or a jury finds an individual not guilty, the court may seal or expunge the robbery case and earlier arrest. To best understand how to build a defense against these charges, it is imperative that you consult with a knowledgeable Ft. Lauderdale robbery lawyer as soon as possible.
