Theft of any kind is a serious offense. However, many think theft and robbery are interchangeable; this could not be further from the truth. Robbery is a more severe charge than theft in every way. Legally, the main difference in robbery and theft is the presence of injury or threat of injury while property is being stolen. Robbery can result in felony charges that will forever alter the remainder of your life.
If you or a loved one were recently charged with robbery, you should contact an Allegheny County robbery attorney as soon as possible. With your future freedom and professional outlook at stake, you should only trust an experienced attorney to handle your case. Attorneys at Stewart, Murray, and Associates (SMA) Law Group utilize years of experience dealing with criminal defense cases to formulate the best approach to your specific case. With a blend of compassion, know-how, and aggression in the courtroom, SMA Law Group may be you best chance at receiving a reduced or cleared charge.
Robbery in Pennsylvania
There are five elements that can turn theft into robbery. The first element is if you cause severe injury to another person in the process of theft. Another element that can constitute a robbery occurs when your intent is to cause fear of serious harm while committing a theft. Threating a felony crime or murder while participating in a threat can also be considered robbery. Causing immediate fear of being seriously injured is also ground for robbery. Finally, using force to obtain somebody else property can be considered robbery.
If charged and convicted with robbery in Pennsylvania, you will likely receive a felony charge. With that being said, the type of felony you receive can depend on the specific circumstances of your robbery. For example, you may be charged with a felony of the third degree if your robbery did not result in injury. Still, you may serve up to seven years in prison. Causing a non-serious injury during a robbery could result in a second degree felony and a maximum ten years of imprisonment. The most serious robbery consequences occur if you do seriously injure somebody during the course of the robbery. If that is the case, you may receive a felony of the first degree and serve a potential 20 years in prison.
