Robbery

Theft crimes are the most common crimes in the United States. With a theft rate of 1,394.1 per 100,000 people, the number of ways people can steal has grown as well. To categorize them and punish them accordingly, criminal court has divided theft crimes into several different charges.

If you have been charged with robbery in Scranton, Wilkes-Barre, or the surrounding areas, contact the criminal defense attorneys at Lermitte & Lubin. Robbery charges are serious criminal charges that threaten your freedom and ruin your opportunities for the future.

What is Robbery?

This form of theft crime is when you physically take something from a person or place by force or with the threat of violence. For example, if you stole something from a store shelf, or broke into someone’s house to steal something when they weren’t there, this wouldn’t be robbery. The victim has to be there, and you have to steal something from them.

There is a legal gray area when someone is accused of robbery but steals something from someone’s person without them knowing. Instances of pickpocketing can receive robbery charges, but can also be charged with larceny instead if there arguably wasn’t the use or threat of force.

If someone is injured in the process of the robbery, you can receive additional charges for assault or worse in addition to robbery.

Robbery

What Type of Crime is Robbery?

While theft crime is a category, criminal charges still come in three types: infractions, misdemeanors, and felonies. Robberies, due to their violent nature, are always felonies but can be a felony of any degree. There are three degrees of felonies for robbery: first, second, and third.

What are the Punishments for Robbery Charges?

The punishments for robbery charges depend on what felony degree you are charged with. The lower the degree, the more serious the crime, and the greater the punishment. All those facing a robbery charge face time in prison and a fine.

  • First-Degree Felony: If you have been charged with a robbery charge of the first degree, you can face up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $50,000. You can receive a first-degree felony charge if you caused a serious injury or threatened serious injury. This means threatening them with a deadly weapon rather than a fist. You will automatically also get a first-degree felony if you stole a motor vehicle.
  • Second-Degree Felony: If you have been charged with a robbery charge of the second degree, you can face up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $25,000. This is when you threaten or cause someone bodily harm that isn’t serious or life-threatening.
  • Third-Degree Felony: If you have been charged with a robbery charge of the third degree, you can face 7 years in prison and a fine of up to $15,000. You can receive a third-degree felony charge if you used force to commit theft but didn’t hurt anyone in the process.

What is Armed Robbery?

Armed robbery is when you rob someone while using or threatening them with a lethal weapon. Because technically, any weapon can kill when used with enough force, the use of anything other than your fists can be argued as a deadly weapon. It doesn’t matter if the object you used was a baseball bat, monkey wrench, or a rock. They can cause death, so they are considered deadly weapons.

Why Do You Need a Scranton Robbery Attorney?

Robbery is one of the most serious charges among theft crimes. If you have been charged, you need to seek legal representation immediately. If you don’t, you run the risk of losing your freedom, a lot of money, and your ability to see and provide for your family.

Robbery

Contact the Robbery Attorneys at Lermitte & Lubin, LLC

The criminal defense attorneys at Lermitte & Lubin have been fighting to defend people and their families from criminal charges for years. We’re attorneys you can trust to have your back and do everything we can. If you’re charged with robbery, don’t hesitate to contact us today.

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