Elements of a Robbery Charge in Pennsylvania

It is important to know that throughout the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the allegation or charge of robbery  is always categorized as a felony of the first degree, a felony of the second degree, or a felony of the third degree. Strictly speaking, robbery is the commitment of a theft, except with the added element of use of force. While a theft would otherwise be charged as a misdemeanor, the use of force raises it to the level of a felony offense. Because all robbery charges in Pennsylvania are charged as felonies, they are therefore are treated in an extremely serious fashion. Having the help of an attorney well versed in local law and who has the benefit of years of experience in the area means having a powerful ally in this challenging time. It also allows for the possibility of a robbery charge being reduced to a misdemeanor theft, if the facts of the case permit it. This is sometimes possible but challenging, because when force is used or threatened and the individual who is threatened  feels that his or her life is put in danger then the judge is inclined to let the charge stand. Therefore, having an experienced felony criminal defense attorney  with  years of experience, and  resources available for a successful defense, is the best option for an individual charged with robbery.

Unique Aspects of Robbery

In Chester County, Pennsylvania, the crimes of theft and robbery are the type of crimes that are taken very seriously by the courts. Both involve the unlawful taking of one item or items from one person by another with the intent to permanently deprive the individual of such item. When one person takes an item from another and intends on keeping that item away from the owner, the charge of theft and the elements of a theft come into play. However, when any sort of force is alleged or actually used when stealing from another, a theft which would otherwise be treated as a misdemeanor is elevated to the level of robbery as a felony.

Once that occurs, a theft is now considered a robbery, and once a robbery comes into play, the consequences almost triplesthe potential for incarceration as well as all court costs, probationary periods, and other consequences of such a conviction.

Importance of An Attorney

When charged with a serious felony offense such as robbery , hiring an experienced local lawyer is one of the many ways and one of the most essential ways of going about negotiating and resolving the matter in a manner  consistent with a positive result for any  charge. A local lawyer practicing and handling thousands of serious felony criminal cases in the area will have the connections and experience with, as well as extensive knowledge of, the police, the district courts, the prosecutors, and the Court of Common Pleas. This enables defense counsel to move a case quickly through the system in a manner that protects the best interests of his or her client.

Having a lawyer who has personal connections with the district attorney’s office and/or that of the judge only reinforces the possibility that a person’s case will be handled in the least restrictive fashion. This includes knowing the right parties, investigating the relevant portions of the case and relaying that information to the proper parties in the system, which assures that a defendant with the right local attorney can achieve the most desirable result.