Bucks County Robbery Penalties

For the charge of robbery in Pennsylvania to apply, the prosecution must prove that some element of physical force, however slight, was used during the commission of an alleged theft. If you are facing charges, it is important to contact a skilled lawyer to best understand Bucks County robbery penalties and to build a proper defense.

A crime such as retail theft rises to the level of robbery when an individual takes merchandise from a store and, upon being stopped, uses physical force to attack or defend against security personnel. If you are being accused of robbery in the Bucks County area, it is important that you contact an experienced robbery attorney, because it is a charge that the Commonwealth takes seriously and pursues with vigor.

What the Prosecution Must Prove

In order to obtain a robbery felony in Bucks County of the first-degree conviction, a prosecutor is required to prove that some sort of threat occurred and that the threat occurred as a result of or in relation to a theft.

That means that during the commission of a theft, some sort of assaultive or physical behavior occurred, threatening another individual or placing that person in fear of serious bodily injury. This element is what allows the theft to be raised to a robbery felony of the first degree.

Serious Long Term Consequences

Robbery is a felony of the first degree and can lead to long periods of incarceration, should an individual be charged and convicted. Given a case with serious injuries to another party, a sentence of five to 10 years’  incarceration is not out of the ordinary. In addition to the time in jail or prison, whichever applies in each case, there is also the question of fines. Someone convicted of robbery in Pennsylvania likely faces fines of up to $25,000.

Sentences can be driven even higher under specific circumstances, such as assaultive behavior and threats or injuries to other individuals involved in the incident in question.

Robbery penalties in Bucks County should not be taken lightly. Fortunately, with help from the right lawyer, the most serious cases where incarceration comes into play can be reduced to a much smaller sentence or even probation.

Potential Robbery Penalties

In Pennsylvania, robbery is always charged as a felony offense. In most cases, it is the highest felony allowed by law, felony of the first degree. Bucks County, like the rest of the Commonwealth, treats any sort of theft or assaultive behavior in a harsh and stringent manner. On the other hand, with the help of an experienced Bucks County criminal defense attorney, a felony can often be negotiated or reduced to a lesser misdemeanor offense, and in some cases, even result in a summary judgment.

In other cases, with the right set of facts behind a person, the right lawyer, and the right investigation, a robbery may be sent to the diversionary program, thus allowing an individual charged with robbery to have no addition to their criminal record upon completion of certain conditions set forth by the court.

While a diversionary program is the lightest type of sentence an individual could face, with the right circumstances and legal representation, the most serious offenses of robbery involving assault and injuries can result in a sentence of no less than 10 to 20 years’ incarceration and a $25,000 fine. Anything in between is a gray area, which under certain circumstances can be negotiated upwards, depending on other charges, and downward, depending on the circumstances of the case.

Contacting a Bucks County Lawyer

If you are being accused of theft, it can lead to severe penalties and long term consequences. It is important to know the steps to take and when to take them. Contact a robbery lawyer immediately for assistance when you are facing serious Bucks County robbery penalties.