The criminal justice system considers robberies to be very serious offenses. Robberies pose a great danger to human life because of the nature of the crime and the common involvement of deadly weapons. Robbery is one of the most serious offenses in the Pennsylvania criminal code.
The penalties if convicted include lengthy prison sentences and a criminal record that will include a felony of the first, second, or third degree. Without a doubt, retaining legal representation is the best decision. You have to take the first step and pick up the phone.
Call 215-650-6500 to discuss your options or get a second opinion from attorney Stephen Stewart.
So, what constitutes a robbery under Pennsylvania law?
In Pennsylvania, robbery includes many scenarios that most people probably do not think about. You can be found guilty of robbery even if you did not go into a bank, pull out a loaded gun, and say, “give me all your money!”
The PA Criminal Code says that a person is guilty of committing robbery if, in the course of committing a theft, he or she (i) inflicts serious bodily injury upon another; (ii) threatens another with or intentionally puts him in fear of immediate serious bodily injury; (iii) commits or threatens immediately to commit any felony of the first or second degree; (iv) inflicts bodily injury upon another or threatens another with or intentionally puts him in fear of immediate bodily injury; (v) physically takes or removes property from the person of another by force however slight; or (vi) takes or removes the money of a financial institution without the permission of the financial institution by making a demand of an employee of the financial institution orally or in writing with the intent to deprive the financial institution thereof.
The most important word in that long definition is the “or” before Roman numeral VI. That means you or your loved one can be found guilty of robbery if the prosecutors can prove beyond a reasonable doubt that any one of the six acts listed occurred while the defendant was committing a theft.
What are the possible sentences if convicted of robbery in Pennsylvania? The penalties vary based on the grading (first-degree, second-degree, or third-degree), the unique facts of the case, the defendant’s prior record and life circumstances, and whether or not the conviction is the result of a trial or a plea bargain. There is also the variable of whether the robbery was of a motor vehicle. Call attorney Stephen Stewart at 215-650-6500 to discuss your particular situation.
What if my loved one or I already have an attorney? If you or your loved one has already had a court date in a robbery case, a public defender, a court-appointed attorney, or another privately retained attorney will be on the case. Attorney Stephen Stewart can offer a second opinion and potentially an alternative approach to fighting the charges if you are unhappy with your current representation. Book An Appointment to discuss.
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