Hopewell Robbery Lawyer
Robbery is a serious offense to be charged with in Hopewell, especially if the property that was allegedly stolen was valuable or if the claimant says you used a dangerous weapon. If convicted, you could face serious time in jail and get saddled with a criminal background that makes it difficult to do what you want, once you get out.
Successfully defending against an accusation of robbery often takes the vigorous legal advocacy of a Hopewell robbery lawyer. With the skills and experience of an attorney at your side, you can rest assured that all lines of defense are being utilized and that a professional is working on your behalf.
Robbery Versus Theft Offenses
In Hopewell, there is no statute that says what constitutes the crime of robbery. Instead, courts have developed a definition over years of hearing cases. That definition is relatively simple and straightforward: Robbery is a theft crime, with an element of force. Therefore, taking someone else’s property without their consent and for personal gain becomes robbery as soon as force is used in the acquisition.
Unfortunately, this seemingly simple definition of robbery has a terrible result: Tiny differences in a situation can turn a charge from theft into a charge for robbery, drastically increasing the penalties of a conviction and making it crucial to have the skills of a Hopewell robbery lawyer on hand.
Pick Pocketing
An excellent example of the nuanced line between theft and robbery – and how stepping over that fine line has dire consequences – is when someone picks someone else’s pocket.
If the action goes unnoticed, then it would be a theft because the wallet was taken without the consent of the owner, and for personal gain. If the pickpocket gets arrested, charged, and ends up being convicted, the offense would likely be a misdemeanor. The consequences could be as low as a fine of $2,500 and a suspended jail sentence that sends the defendant straight to probation.
However, if the pickpocket is detected in the attempt and a scuffle ensues, the offense turns into a robbery as soon as the pickpocket uses any force, whatsoever. Even if they merely shove the wallet’s owner in an attempt to get away, the penalties of a conviction skyrocket. Suddenly, the offense is a felony that is punishable by a minimum of five years in jail.
The differences between these two scenarios highlight how unjust the law is towards theft and robbery. Minor details – some of which are uncontrollable for the person accused of a crime – can drastically alter their case and change the course of the rest of their life.
The Importance of a Hopewell Robbery Attorney
If you have been accused of committing a robbery, hiring a defense lawyer to represent you both in the courtroom and outside of it will be the most important investment you can make for the rest of your life. The consequences of allowing a criminal accusation of robbery to turn into a criminal conviction are dire and can lead to thousands of dollars in fines and numerous years behind bars.
A Hopewell robbery lawyer can invoke your rights, challenge the evidence that the prosecutor has, and make sure that your side of the story is heard. Through advocacy skills built and honed in the courtroom, a Hopewell robbery attorney can develop evidence of your innocence and make sure that your rights and interests are preserved against these baseless accusations that you broke the law.
