Robbery Attorney in Gilbert, AZ
Defending Clients from Serious Criminal Charges
Facing robbery charges in Gilbert, Arizona can be a stressful experience, since this serious criminal offense is usually prosecuted as a felony. This means you could get sentenced to time in prison if you’re convicted. If you’re worried this type of punishment would negatively affect your career and personal relationships, it’s best to contact a Gilbert criminal defense lawyer for legal advice throughout your criminal case.
You can rely on the team at The Turner Law Firm PLLC to provide you with the legal knowledge and compassionate attitude you need as you deal with severe criminal charges. Whether you were charged with robbery, aggravated robbery, or a related theft offense in Gilbert, AZ, it’s time to get legal support from our skilled robbery attorneys. Call today to schedule an initial consultation with a caring lawyer at our Gilbert law office.
How Is Robbery Defined Under Arizona Law?
It’s essential to know how the state you were charged in defines the crime you’re accused of committing. In this case, you should know that robbery is considered the act of taking someone else’s property against their will and in their immediate presence, all while using force or threatening to use force to convince them to surrender their property.
If you’re uncertain how robbery differs from theft, the answer is that theft does not require the victim to be present for the crime. In fact, in many Arizona theft cases, the victim is not present for or aware of the theft crime until later, when they discover their home, vehicle, or business has been broken into and had items stolen from it.
Simply put, robbery is considered to be a crime against a person, while theft tends to be a crime against property. This is why theft charges are often misdemeanors, while robbery charges are felony offenses that have the potential to frighten or physically injure victims.
In particular, Arizona criminal law usually treats simple robbery as a Class 4 felony, assuming there are no aggravating factors like weapons or accomplices to the crime. If one or more of these factors exist, the charge can become more serious.
For example, you will be charged with aggravated robbery in Arizona if you’re accused of committing robbery with the help of one or more accomplices. This will increase the severity of the crime to a Class 3 felony.
If there is allegedly evidence that you used or threatened to use a deadly weapon or dangerous instrument while robbing someone, you’ll be charged with armed robbery. As a Class 2 felony, this is one of the most serious criminal accusations you can face in Arizona. Whether you actually used a deadly weapon – such as a gun, knife, or baseball bat – or threatened to use it, you could be charged with armed robbery in Arizona.
This is the case even if you threatened the victim with a simulated weapon rather than a real one. What matters is that they were coerced into giving you their property because they felt physically threatened by your alleged deadly weapon presented during the crime.
Whether you’re facing Class 4, 3, or 2 felony charges for robbery in Arizona, you need to get legal advice from a skilled criminal defense attorney serving Gilbert and surrounding areas. If you plead guilty without first discussing your legal options with a lawyer, you could end up with several years in prison, along with fines, probation, and other consequences. Hiring a defense attorney to inform your legal decisions along the way can help you get as close to your desired outcome as possible, so call our Gilbert, AZ law office today.
What Is the Potential Punishment for a Robbery Conviction in Arizona?
When you’re facing felony charges, you don’t want to simply ignore your legal issues or try to handle them on your own. You owe it to yourself and your loved ones to seek legal advice to get the best possible results. After all, the punishment for a robbery conviction includes years of prison time and thousands of dollars of fines, among other consequences.
Your specific penalties will depend on the circumstances surrounding your robbery charges and your criminal history. In general, the more impact your alleged actions had on the victim and the more criminal offenses you’ve been convicted of in the past, the worse your penalties will be.
The penalty range for simple robbery in Arizona includes:
- 1 to 3.75 years in prison for a first offense
- 2.25 to 7.5 years in prison for a second offense
- 6 to 15 years in prison for a third or subsequent offense
The penalties for aggravated robbery in Arizona include:
- 2 to 8.75 years in prison for a first offense
- 3.25 to 16.25 years in prison for a second offense
- 7.5 to 25 years in prison for a third or subsequent offense
The penalties for armed robbery in Arizona are:
- 7 to 21 years in prison for a first offense
- 14 to 28 years in prison for a second offense
- 21 to 35 years in prison for a third or subsequent offense
The prison time you could be sentenced to is in addition to fines, ranging from $750 to $150,000. Other possible penalties include hours of community service, restitution to the victims, years of probation, and any other consequences that the judge deems fitting for your robbery case.
Even after you’re done serving your sentence, you will have to deal with the reality of permanently having a felony conviction on your criminal record. This will show up when a potential employer or landlord runs a background check on your criminal history, complicating the process of finding housing and employment in the future. Additionally, having a felony on your record can lead to the loss of civil rights, such as the right to own a gun, vote, run for political office, or serve on a jury.
If you hope to retain your freedom and constitutional rights and cannot afford the fines and prison time that come with robbery convictions, contact our Gilbert, AZ law office for legal help. Our criminal defense attorneys are committed to providing quality legal representation to Arizona residents who wish to fight unfair criminal charges. Call us today for a consultation with our caring legal team in Gilbert.
What Should You Do After Your Arrest?
If this is your first time being arrested for alleged robbery or any other criminal offense, you might be unsure what to do next. Following these steps can help protect your future and create a strong defense strategy to use in your case:
- Remain calm and respectful: Resisting arrest and making threats could result in additional criminal charges, so try to remain calm and cooperative when the police apprehend you
- Use your right to remain silent: You should politely tell the police officers you wish to use your right to remain silent until you have an attorney present, since anything you say can be used against you in court
- Don’t discuss your situation with anyone: Avoid posting on social media about the details of your arrest or the charges you face, since you don’t want prosecutors or anyone else to see this information and use it against you
- Gather evidence to support your case: Be sure to collect any evidence that could help, such as video footage, witness statements, pictures, or receipts that prove where you were when the crime occurred
- Call a skilled Gilbert, Arizona lawyer: As soon as you can make a phone call after your arrest, you should get an initial consultation with a lawyer who has won numerous robbery cases in Arizona
Trusted criminal defense attorneys know how to get serious criminal charges dismissed or reduced for their clients, so it’s essential to listen to your lawyer’s legal advice once you hire them. They will explain to you what defense strategy would work best for your case, what evidence they need to gather for it, and what penalties you could face if convicted. If you’re ready to learn more about robbery charges in Arizona, call our Gilbert law office today.
What Defense Strategies Can Gilbert Lawyers Use in Arizona Robbery Cases?
Criminal defense attorneys who have years of experience defending clients are familiar with the defense angles that tend to be most effective. So, when you hire an experienced lawyer for your robbery case, you can expect them to review your legal situation and choose the right defense strategy based on the circumstances.
Some of the most common criminal defense options lawyers use for robbery cases include:
- Lack of evidence: It’s up to the prosecution to prove every element of the crime beyond a reasonable doubt. If the evidence they present in court is insufficient, your attorney may argue that the charges should be dismissed
- Mistaken identity: Eyewitness testimony is often unreliable. Your Gilbert, AZ attorney will use this fact – along with evidence – to show that you are not the person who committed the robbery
- Alibi: If you can prove you were somewhere else during the timeframe of the robbery, your attorney will present your alibi and any supporting evidence to the judge or jury
- Lack of Intent: Part of the definition of robbery in Arizona is the intent to permanently deprive the victim of their property. If your actions were unintentional, your attorney can argue that the intent element of this crime was not met
- Violation of constitutional rights: If the police violated your rights during the investigation or arrest, such as carrying out an unlawful search or failing to read you your Miranda rights, your Gilbert attorney can file a motion to suppress the evidence
- Duress: If you were forced to commit the robbery under threat of harm, your Gilbert criminal defense attorney could present this as a defense to the robbery charge
Your lawyer may be able to develop additional defense angles for your case, depending on the details. They might also decide that plea bargaining for reduced criminal charges and penalties may be the best solution for your case. You can find out what the most appropriate approach to your robbery case is when you meet with a Gilbert, AZ robbery lawyer to discuss your legal options. Call our Gilbert law office today to schedule your consultation with a caring criminal defense lawyer.
How Can a Gilbert Robbery Lawyer Benefit Your Criminal Case?
As you deal with robbery charges in Gilbert, Arizona, it’s important to remember that you’re not alone during this difficult time in your life. When you hire The Turner Law Firm PLLC, you will have access to compassionate, skilled lawyers eager to assist with your case so you get the best possible outcome. We understand how life-changing severe criminal charges can be due to the potential prison time, so you can rely on us for the support you need throughout your criminal defense case in Arizona.
Whether you’re charged with aggravated robbery, armed robbery, or other felony offenses, our team is here to provide guidance through your case. Our goal is to protect your future by keeping you out of jail or at least reducing your punishment when possible. If you’re interested in learning how we can help with your robbery case, call our Gilbert, AZ law office at 480-568-5590 to schedule an initial consultation with a skilled criminal defense attorney.