Chesterfield Robbery Lawyer
If you are facing robbery charges in Virginia, you need to contact a qualified and experienced Chesterfield robbery lawyer. An attorney will be available to assist you and advocate on your behalf in confronting this serious criminal accusation.
What Constitutes Robbery in Virginia?
Robbery is a category of theft that is considered much more serious than theft itself because of the added elements of either force or even the offer of force as perceived by the victim.
A person commits robbery in Virginia if that individual steals property (goods or money) from a person through the use of violence or threat of violence.
As specified by statute, an individual is guilty of robbery if the individual takes something through:
- Violence to the victim (such as by choking, beating, striking), or
- Assault (putting the victim in fear of serious harm), or
- Threatening to use or brandishing a gun or other deadly weapon.
Carjacking Charges in Chesterfield
When the property object of a robbery is a motor vehicle (of any type), and the other elements of robbery are present, the individual committing such acts is guilty of the specific crime of carjacking (Section 18.2-58.1.).
The crime of carjacking is committed when an individual intentionally takes another person’s vehicle or takes control of another person’s motor vehicle with intent to permanently or temporarily deprive that person of his or her vehicle through:
- Violence (such as by choking or hitting) to the victim, or
- Assault (putting the victim in fear of serious bodily harm), or
- Threatening to use or brandishing a gun or other deadly weapon.
A hard-working robbery attorney in Chesterfield could work hard to defend you in court.
Penalties for Robbery and Carjacking
Robbery is a felony punishable by five years to life in prison. (Section 18.2-58.)
Carjacking is a felony punishable by 15 years to life in prison. (Section 18.2-58.1(A).)
A person charged with carjacking may also be charged with, and prosecuted for, the offenses involved in carjacking. (Section 18.2-58.1(C)). Accordingly, in addition to the enhanced penalties for carjacking, the offender might incur additional penalties for the underlying robbery as well as related offenses, such as unlawful use or possession of a weapon. Due to these severe punishments it is important that you contact a skilled Chesterfield robbery lawyer as soon as possible.
Attempted Robbery and Carjacking
It is worth noting that even if a robbery or carjacking is not completed, an individual guilty of attempting robbery or carjacking will be subject to treatment as a class 4 felony punishable by two to 10 years in prison and a fine up to $100,000. Section 18.2-26.
Call a Chesterfield Robbery Lawyer
If you are facing robbery or carjacking charges in Virginia you need a Chesterfield robbery lawyer. Our capable criminal defense lawyers are experienced and adept at aggressively defending the rights of clients accused of theft-related crimes such as robbery and carjacking in the greater Chesterfield area and throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia.
If you are accused of robbery or any other theft-related offense, you have rights and are entitled to a vigorous defense. Contact a dedicated Chesterfield robbery lawyer today to advocate for your rights.
