Pennsylvania Robbery Lawyer
Being charged with robbery can be an overwhelming experience. You might wonder what happens next in the legal process or how to best defend yourself against the charges. A Pennsylvania robbery lawyer could help you with your case.
You do not need to face charges of robbery on your own. Let an experienced criminal defense attorney represent you. An attorney familiar with robbery laws in Pennsylvania could prepare an appropriate defense against the charges and advocate on your behalf for the best possible legal outcome.
The Role of Your Robbery Attorney
There are many ways in which an attorney for robbery in Pennsylvania could help an individual facing robbery charges. A lawyer could explain the specific charges against a person, answer legal questions, provide legal counsel, and file case documents with the court. A robbery attorney could also provide legal representation and fight for the best possible resolution under the circumstances.
Robbery Laws in Pennsylvania
Robbery involves theft of another person’s property through the use of force or the threat of force. The element of force is a key component of the definition of robbery. If there was no use of force, no threat to use force, or no fear that force might be used, then the offense would more likely be charged as theft.
Pennsylvania laws on robbery offenses are detailed in Chapter 37 of Title 18 in the Pennsylvania statutes. Section 3701 of Chapter 37 defines robbery as the commission of theft that also involves any of the following acts:
- Inflicting serious bodily injury on another person
- Threatening to inflict serious bodily injury on another person
- Causing another person to fear imminent serious bodily injury
- Committing or threatening to commit a first or second-degree felony
- Removing property from another person by physical force
It is important to note that force does not actually have to be used for an offense involving theft to be elevated to robbery charges. The mere threat to use force or inflict injury on someone, or even just invoking fear that force might be used, is sufficient to constitute robbery. A Pennsylvania robbery lawyer could explain why the specific charges against a person amount to robbery versus theft.
Legal Penalties for a Robbery Conviction
Robbery is a felony offense in the state of Pennsylvania. Depending on the specific circumstances of the alleged offense, robbery can be charged in the first, second, or third degree. For example, stealing another person’s vehicle in the presence of that individual or anyone in lawful possession of the vehicle is categorized as a first-degree felony.
First-degree felony robbery charges are the most serious and involve the most severe sanctions upon conviction. The legal penalty for conviction of a first-degree felony is a term of imprisonment of up to 20 years. The possible penalties for second and third-degree felonies are a term of imprisonment of up to ten or seven years, respectively.
The penalties associated with convictions for first, second, and third degree offenses are outlined in Section 1103 of Title 18 in the Pennsylvania statutes. A robbery lawyer in Pennsylvania could provide more information about the possible penalties for felony convictions in Pennsylvania.
Let a Pennsylvania Robbery Lawyer Assist You
Attempting to navigate the legal system on your own while defending yourself against charges of robbery can be intimidating, as well as complicated. The good news is that you do not have to do it all on your own. A robbery lawyer who understands robbery laws and how to navigate the legal system could assist you with your case.
Allow a lawyer who handles robbery cases to represent you. A robbery lawyer could advocate for your best interests and fight to obtain an optimal resolution to your situation based on the circumstances of your case. Contact a Pennsylvania robbery lawyer for legal counsel and assistance today.