Manassas Robbery Lawyer

Robbery is defined as taking with the intent to steal personal property of another person, either from their person or in their presence, against their will by violence, force, or intimidation. Robbery is considered a felony offense, and the resulting conviction could result in the loss of civil liberties and access to employment and housing opportunities. A Manassas robbery lawyer could devote the time and resources necessary to building someone’s defense. Consult a qualified theft attorney and know that you are in good hands.

Elements of Robbery That Differ From Other Forms of Theft

There are a couple of elements that differentiate robbery from normal theft. The first is it has to happen in the presence of the person being robbed. Theft could take place in the presence of the owner of the property or it can happen while the owner of the property is not there. Robbery always has to be in their presence. The second is that there must be a threat or use of force to accomplish that taking. That is different than other kinds of theft.

The more kinds of cases that they have handled the better off they are going to be and the more knowledge they are going to have about the best kind of tactics to use and approaches to take. Also, it is very important that they know what to expect from the prosecution, the police, as well as the judge.

What the Prosecutor Must Prove

To prove robbery in Stafford County, the prosecution is going to have to show that the person took something with the intent to steal it, that it was the personal property of someone else, they took it from their person or in their presence, and that taking was accomplished either by force or using the threat of force.

Evidence the Defense Might Use

There are different of kinds of evidence that Manassas robbery lawyers may look for. They are always interested in any testimonial evidence. This means statements which are going to be made or have been made by the defendant, in some cases, by witnesses, and by the victim.

They are also looking for forensic evidence which might tie the defendant to the crime or prove their innocence. In addition, there may be documentary evidence and communications of various kinds relevant in the case.

Consequences of Committing a Robbery Offense

There are a number of consequences for a robbery conviction. Robbery is a felony, which means that all of the problems and legal disabilities that come with a felony are going to be on the table. That includes the loss of the person’s civil rights, like the right to vote. It includes the loss of ability to hold public office and possess a firearm. In addition, robbery is a charge, which in most cases if a person is convicted, is going to carry a prison sentence.

In the case of robbery, a sentence can be up to life in prison especially in instances of armed robbery. Even though it is rare that someone will receive that punishment, in most cases punishment will be measured in years rather than months in most cases. In addition, there can be restitution to pay, there can be court costs and fines to pay, and there can be probation for a significant amount of time.

Robbery As a Felony Offense

Robbery in Virginia is always a felony offense. The difference between a felony and a misdemeanor is that misdemeanors are crimes punishable by up to a year in jail. Felony charges can be punished by more than a year in jail, and in many cases, involve many years in prison.

Another significant difference with a felony is that a person will lose certain rights as the result of a conviction. A person would lose the:

• Right to vote
• Ability to hold public office
• Ability to possess or own a firearm

As a practical matter, a conviction for a felony is going to limit the options of most people significantly in terms of their vocation. Once a convicted felon, it is very difficult to seek employment. A skilled Manassas robbery lawyer could attempt to mitigate the severity of the penalties that an individual may face.

Penalties

The harshest penalty a person charged with robbery can face is life in prison. While that is a penalty that is, in most cases, reserved for individuals who have significant conviction histories, a person can still receive a significant prison sentence even if it is a first offense.

Building a Defense With a Manassas Robbery Lawyer

A Manassas robbery lawyer could begin preparing your robbery defense by learning everything that they can about facts of the case from you. The attorney can also look at the evidence that the prosecution has. Your attorney could challenge the evidence of the prosecution anyway they can, whether that is physical evidence, forensic evidence, or witness testimony.

In addition, they are looking to see if there are any violations of your constitutional rights. In most cases, when a person’s constitutional rights have been violated, the result will be a suppression of some of the evidence at trial. By looking for that kind of violation, in some cases, lawyers are able to keep important evidence from being used at trial. If you have been charged with a robbery offense, work with a lawyer that could build a solid defense for you.