BATON ROUGE ROBBERY ATTORNEY
Few charges are more serious than robbery. Robbery differs from theft in that robbery includes a degree of force or threat of force. As a result, these charges are deemed to be crimes of violence and are prosecuted very aggressively, often requiring a stay in prison. If you have been charged with robbery, it is essential to quickly retain a skilled criminal defense attorney so they may begin preparing your defense.
ROBBERY
There are different degrees of robbery which are determined by whether injury occurred or dangerous weapons were used. It is important to note exactly what constitutes a dangerous weapon.
Dangerous weapons are not limited to guns and knives, it can be anything that is capable of causing serious bodily injury. This category encompasses many items: a baseball bat, hammer, screwdriver, and even a dog can be considered a dangerous weapon.
Simple Robbery
Simple robbery is the lowest level of robbery. It is defined as the taking of something of value from another by use or threat of force, but without a dangerous weapon. It carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 7 years.
Second Degree Robbery
Second degree robbery occurs when a person is seriously injured during the course of the robbery. It carries a term of imprisonment for not less than 3 years and not more than 40 years.
First Degree Robbery
First degree robbery occurs when the victim is lead to believe that the person is armed with a dangerous weapon. It carries a term of imprisonment of not less than 3 years and not more than 40 years.
Armed Robbery
Armed robbery occurs when the person is armed with a dangerous weapon. It carries a term of imprisonment of not less than 10 years and not more than 99 years.
DEFENSES
There are a variety of defenses available to those charged with robbery, including:
- Lack of evidence
- Duress
- Violations of police protocol
- Mistake of fact
- Alibi
IF YOU ARE CHARGED WITH ROBBERY
Since robbery is such a serious charge, it is imperative to seek out skilled counsel as soon as possible. I will sit down with you to determine what defenses may be available to you and I will pursue them aggressively. When it comes to defending robbery charges, simply relying on evidence provided by the prosecution is never enough. I will conduct an independent investigation into the full facts of the case, such as interviewing any and all parties and witness, surveying the scene of the crime, and pursuing any surveillance video evidence, all in the effort to obtain the best possible outcome for you.
