Fort Pierce Robbery Defense Lawyer
Let our experienced counsel start working on your case today
The criminal defense attorney that you hire could have an enormous impact on the ultimate outcome of a robbery case. This is in part due to the fact that robbery crimes are often accompanied by other charges, complex situations, and broad criminal definitions. If you are facing allegations of this type of offense, or have been arrested, the first and most important step to take toward protecting your rights is to hire a Fort Pierce robbery defense attorney to help you through the legal process.
At Ohle & Ohle, we have a skilled team of expert lawyers available to take on your case. We understand that all sides of the story must be taken into account and can help you achieve the best possible outcome for your case. We will go over witness statements, police reports, and other key factors that can have an enormous impact on the end result of your unique robbery case. Our lawyers have defended such cases with successful results since 1972 and can help you as well.
Robbery charges in Florida
Understanding how robbery is defined in Florida and how different robbery-related crimes are defined and charged can be helpful. Theft, burglary, and robbery are three separate crimes with their own penalties. While they are usually charged in a criminal case together, they each carry their own penalties and statutes. If you are charged with robbery, there’s a good chance that you have also been charged for theft or burglary from the same incident. Here are how these three separate crimes are defined in St. Lucie County.
- Burglary: This is a broad term that involves trespassing with felony criminal motives. Burglary does not involve the removal of property as much as it does the intent to commit a crime and the entry or a building without permission. Burglary is loosely defined as entering a structure with intent to commit a crime without the consent of the owner of the property.
- Theft: Theft is a misdemeanor crime in most cases and is different than burglary. Crimes of theft are in most cases non-violent, though when accompanying robbery charges, violence or force will usually have been involved in some way. Theft involves the removal of property illegally. Theft does not necessarily involve force or person to person interaction. In Florida, theft is defined as taking another person’s property for gain or in order to deprive them of said property.
- Robbery: This crime falls under Florida Statute 812.13(1) and is defined as an offense in which a person intentionally and unlawfully takes money or property from another person by the use of force, violence, threats, or assault. The main difference between theft and robbery is the way in which the alleged property was removed.
CONTACT US TODAY FOR A FREE CONSULTATION
Understanding the different types of charges
There are many different forms of robbery. In many cases, robbery is coupled with other separate crimes. Prosecutors sometimes combine multiple offenses in order to get maximum sentences against defendants. This means that one altercation can result in multiple criminal charges. In some cases, a qualified and experienced defense lawyer can help you get some of these added charges dismissed or reduced. Florida criminalizes multiple forms or robbery including Robbery by Sudden Snatching, Robbery with a Deadly Weapon, Robbery with a Firearm, Home Invasion Robbery, and Carjacking. Robbery is also referred to as Strong Arm Robbery and is a Second Degree Felony offense in St. Lucie County. Please note that it is Strong Arm Robbery, not Armed Robbery. Robbery with a Firearm or Robbery With a Deadly Weapon are both separate and more serious crimes.
Here’s an example of how robbery charges may not actually apply to a case. Two neighbors are arguing over spilled lawn clippings. These individuals get into a full-fledged fight, and one of them is knocked unconscious. The conscious individual takes the decides to take the lawnmower of the unconscious individual as an afterthought before leaving the scene. The individual may be charged with Strong Arm Robbery because violence was involved. However, if they never had any intent to take the other person’s lawnmower initially, they may instead be charged with theft or Robbery by Sudden Snatching.
Robbery with a Deadly Weapon, Home Invasion, and Carjacking are more serious offenses than Strong Arm Robbery. This is because they involve more dangerous circumstances and may lead to serious injuries and permanent consequences for anyone involved. Please also keep in mind that in Florida, simply being present at the scene of a Robbery does not mean that robbery-related convictions will necessarily be made. If you have been involved in an altercation where you were present for a crime but did not actually engage in a robbery, a lawyer might be able to help you negate certain charges.
Possible penalties in Fort Pierce
It’s important to know what the potential penalties for robbery convictions are. Below, we have outlined a few penalties often associated with robbery convictions in Fort Pierce, Florida.
In its most severe form, Robbery with a Firearm is a First Degree Felony and a Level 9 offense in Florida. Its penalties of that may include:
- life in prison
- life on probation
- $15,000 in fines
In its least severely penalized form, Robbery by Sudden Snatching convictions carry penalties of:
- up to five years in prison
- up to five years of probation
- up to $5,000 in fines
This is why it is so important to the ultimate outcome of your case that a qualified robbery lawyer in Fort Pierce is available to help you work through the fine points of related criminal charges. The circumstances surrounding a crime and your intent are taken into serious consideration in court.
Retaining expert legal counsel: Your best defense
If you have been charged with a crime, contact Ohle & Ohle and speak with a qualified and experienced Fort Pierce robbery defense attorney as soon as possible. Only your lawyer will be able to help you create a defense strategy or negate unfair charges. We can look at the details of your case and help you find any areas in which your rights are not being protected. We can help you decide your best moves to secure a better final outcome for your case.
FAQ
✅ Is robbery a felony in Florida?
In Fort Pierce and elsewhere in the state of Florida, strong-arm robbery is a second-degree felony. Robbery with a Firearm or Robbery With a Deadly Weapon are both separate and more serious crimes, which could carry longer prison sentences upon conviction.
✅ What’s the difference between robbery and burglary?
Burglary involves illegally entering a dwelling or structure to steal property. Robbery involves force or threats of force against another to procure property. Because robbery is a violent crime, punishments typically are more severe than they are for burglary charges.
✅ What is the punishment for robbery in Florida?
One or more of the following are possible upon conviction for strong-arm robbery in Fort Pierce, Florida:
- up to 15 years in prison
- up to 15 years of probation
- up to $10,000 in fines
(772) 460-9801