In Pennsylvania, any robbery charge is a felony charge. If you or a loved one have been charged with robbery, you need to secure an attorney as soon as possible. These charges are much more serious than theft charges. Depending on the level of the charge, a defendant could be facing up to 20 years in prison if found guilty.
At SMT Legal, we will dedicate ourselves to your case and work to build a successful defensive strategy around you. When you need a Washington County robbery attorney, call us today.
What Does Robbery Mean
We know that there are times when people make mistakes. Taking another person’s property is a crime, but in Pennsylvania, a defendant could face robbery charges that have much stiffer penalties than theft charges.
Robbery in Pennsylvania differs from theft if, during the commission of the theft, the alleged suspect injures someone, threatens to hurt someone, uses any force, or commits a first- or second-degree felony in the process. Robbery can be broken down into three categories:
- First-degree felony robbery (armed robbery) occurs when someone inflicts serious bodily harm or threatens serious bodily harm during the theft. This charge also applies if a person commits an additional first- or second-degree felony during the commission of the theft. Penalties include up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $25,000.
- Second-degree felony robbery (strong-arm robbery) occurs when a bodily injury occurs or the threat of bodily injury was present during the commission of a theft. Penalties include up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $25,000.
- Third-degree felony robbery occurs when any force, no matter how slight, is used during the commission of a theft. No injury needs to be present for this charge. Penalties include up to seven years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.
There are many defense strategies that a skilled attorney can use when a defendant is facing these charges. The ultimate goals include getting the charges reduced from one level of felony to the next, having them reduced to misdemeanors, or having the charges dismissed altogether. An attorney can work to show that:
- No injury or threat of injury occurred to the victim
- No theft was committed in the case
- The defendant was intoxicated, under duress, or entrapped
How An Attorney Can Help
Can your family get through without you? We ask that because a robbery charge could land you in prison for years, even decades. At SMT Legal, we do not want that to happen to you. Our qualified and experienced team is ready to step in and help.
