Robbery charges are taken very seriously by Florida prosecutors and law enforcement. Robbery cases are fact-intensive so it is absolutely critical to have an experienced criminal defense attorney by your side as early on as possible.
Experienced Plantation robbery lawyers are ready to discuss the facts of your case and explain potential defense strategies. Skilled defense attorneys can help fight for the best possible result.
Florida Robbery Laws
Robbery is the taking of another person’s property through the use of force or threat. Under Florida Statutes Section 812.13(1), a person commits robbery if they:
- Takes money or other property of value from the person or custody of another
- Uses force, violence, assault, or putting in fear (threat) in the course of the taking
- The taking was with the intent to deprive the person or owner of the property
The phrase “putting in fear” means that the circumstances were such that it would ordinarily induce fear of death or great bodily harm in the mind of a reasonable person.
Under Section 812.13(3)(b) an act of force, violence, assault, or putting in fear is considered “in the course of the taking” if it occurs prior to, contemporaneous with, or subsequent to the taking of the property and that the act and the taking of the property constitute a continuous series of actions or events.
Forms of Robbery
Robbery is a felony of varying degrees depending on the type of force that was used. Penalties increase if the accused carried some kind of weapon in the course of committing the robbery. An act is “in the course of committing the robbery” if it occurs during an attempt to commit robbery or in flight following the attempt or commission.
In Florida, robbery is one of the most serious charges a person can face. The possible penalties include, but are not limited to:
- Robbery with a firearm – First-degree felony and subject to minimum sentences under the 10/20/Life firearm enhancement law
- Robbery with a deadly weapon – First-degree felony, punishable by up to 30 years in prison and/or $10,000 in fines
- Robbery without a weapon (aka strong-arm robbery) – Second-degree felony, punishable by up to 15 years in prison and/or $10,000 in fines
- Robbery by sudden snatching with deadly weapon or firearm – Second-degree felony
- Robbery by sudden snatching without weapon – Third-degree felony, punishable by up to five years in prison and/or $5,000 in fines
- Carjacking – First-degree felony, punishable by 30 years (without a weapon) or life in prison (with a weapon). 10/20/Life statute applies if a firearm was involved in the commission of the offense
- Home-invasion robbery – First-degree felony. Enhanced penalties apply if the home invasion was carried out with a non-deadly weapon, deadly weapon, or firearm
Robbery by sudden snatching, carjacking, and home-invasion robbery have distinct elements, which are separate and apart from those listed in Section 812.13(1).
Contact a Plantation Robbery Attorney Today
Robbery is considered a violent crime and will result in life-long consequences if convicted. However, a robbery charge does make conviction inevitable.
By discussing your defense options with Plantation robbery attorneys, you can increase your chances of avoiding the most severe penalties.
If you have been charged with robbery in Plantation, Florida or its surrounding areas, contact today for a consultation.
