Bucks County Robbery Lawyer
In Bucks County, for a person to be charged with robbery, a prosecutor needs to prove a number of elements in order to meet the burden of proof in the particular crimes associated with the robbery. First and foremost, for robbery to be made out, a person must be victimized in a manner that threatens both their physical and mental well-being.
If you are facing such a charge, it is important to consult with a Bucks County robbery lawyer as soon as possible. A knowledgeable theft lawyer in Bucks County can build a defense to help lessen or dismiss any potential penalties associated with your charge.
What is a Robbery Charge?
In Bucks County, Pennsylvania, inclusive of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, robbery is defined as two separate crimes. When the elements of the crime are met together they make out the crime of robbery. Robbery, as defined by Bucks County, includes the crime of assault and the crime of theft. Assaultive behavior is when one individual takes the property of another individual without the permission of the individual and with whatever force, however slight. Additionally, the crime of theft is the taking of an object from one person by another person with the intent to criminally deprive the individual. A theft withassaultive behavior constitutes the crime of robbery and is often charged as a felony of the first degree in Bucks County.
Elements of the Offense
All the elements of theft must also be met to bring forward a theft charge. Therefore, a person must take an item from another person, and the individual taking such item must not be authorized to take this item. Also, the individual must have an intent to criminally deprive the individual of such item.
Secondly, to make out the robbery charge, a prosecutor must prove that some sort of physical force or threat or harm has been committed, however slight, in the means of committing such theft. Such an act would thereby raise what would otherwise be a misdemeanor theft to a felony robbery. Depending on the degree of injury or threat of injury, a robbery can be graded as a felony of a first degree, second degree or a felony of the third degree.
Depending on the degree of injury or threat of injury, a robbery can be graded as a felony of a first degree, second degree or felony of the third degree. The specific elements of the charge can be best explained by a robbery attorney in Bucks County.
Potential Penalties
In Bucks County, the crime of robbery inclusive of the entire Commonwealth of Pennsylvania will always be charged as a felony. A theft occurring with some sort of threat of force, however slight, will elevate what otherwise would be a misdemeanor and turn it into a felony. All felony robberies are determined by the level of threat and/or injury caused by the individual that the crime is occurring against.
Therefore, when an individual is threatened with harm or actual harm during the course of a theft, a robbery can be graded as a felony of the first degree in most cases or a felony of the third degree in other cases. When a felony of the first degree is involved, a serious threat or serious harm is caused upon the alleged complainant or a person being robbed in a particular case.
For instance, when a person is robbed by firearm, gun, or threat of serious bodily injury, the prosecution can then move to have the robbery graded as a felony of the first degree. As such, an individual can face as much as 20-years in jail and a $25,000 fine just on the robbery charge.
Additionally, robbery is the type of crime where if the actions could inflict physical harm, however slight, even if the victim does not sustain actual physical harm from the incident, the robbery is graded as a felony of the third degree. A felony of the third degree carries a sentence of between three and a half to 7 years incarceration, and up to a $15,000 fine.
No matter the severity of the charge or potential penalties, an individual can best defend themselves with the assistance of a Bucks County robbery lawyer.
Benefit of a Lawyer
Any information that the individual has involving the case should be provided to the robbery attorney in Bucks County reviewing the matter at the earliest possible time, such as the date, time and location of the alleged incident, relationship, if any, to the alleged victim, and any other motives that the alleged victim may have. This should all be brought to the attention of the consulting robbery attorney in Bucks County at the earliest possible time. Therefore, evidence can be obtained to corroborate the accused story and to help the accused put together a defense that can lead to either a dismissal of charges or an acquittal at the time of trial. Obtaining the services of a local Bucks County robbery lawyer only ensures that all defenses will be researched and all possibilities of a positive resolution can be explored.
Having the right attorney who is able to explain the circumstances of a particular arrest, the odds of having a robbery dismissed and/or reduced to a theft or in some cases even a summary theft become viable. If you are facing robbery charges, which has immediate and long term impacts, it is essential that you speak with a dedicated attorney with the right connections and can ensure you receive appropriate legal counsel. Additionally, many law offices have been representing individuals charged with robbery and theft-related offenses in Bucks County for over 23 years and have tried hundreds of cases and received positive dispositions that matter.