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Virginia Armed Robbery Penalties

Armed robbery is a serious offense. Virginia armed robbery penalties include a potential life sentence in prison. An armed robbery lawyer understands what is on the line and can help. Work with a skilled armed robbery attorney that could devote the time and resources necessary to build a solid defense for an individual.

Elements the Prosecutor Must Prove

The elements the prosecutor has to prove is that there is an ongoing felony, so that it would qualify as the use and commission of a felony, and that there was a firearm displayed in a threatening manner, or used or attempted to be used for the purpose of the commission. These are two separate things that they need to show in order to have a chance at a conviction.

Is Armed Robbery a Misdemeanor or a Felony?

Armed robbery is a felony offense. Virginia armed robbery penalties include the loss of rights like the right to bear arms, the right to vote, and the right to sit on a jury. In addition, potentially their career in the future will be impacted since a person will spend time in prison. There is a mandatory minimum of five years for a robbery. If there is a firearm in the commission of a felony, it is going to be another mandatory minimum of at the least eight years if they are convicted. There is the potential to face a life sentence for robbery. Depending on the type of weapon, the person can get more years for that particular charge, but usually, it is an add-on to the person’s robbery conviction.

Sentencing for Armed Robbery Cases

The consequences of armed robbery in Virginia are a mandatory minimum of five years for the robbery and a mandatory minimum of three additional years tacked on for the use of a firearm condition of a felony. If it is multiple charges, like a person’s second or third offense, it can go up to initial five and initial seven, which the mandatory minimum. So there certainly can be more depending on the facts of one’s case.

Harshest Penalty for Armed Robbery

Amongst Virginia armed robbery penalties, the harshest penalty for armed robbery, especially with the use of a firearm in the commission of it, could be life in prison. If a person kills somebody or there is a different charge with the use of a firearm in the commission of the felony is attached to, it and could mean the death penalty. It depends on the specific charge. If it is a murder or an attempted murder and there is the use of a firearm in its commission, it is going to be problematic. Robbery plus this particular use would be life.

Preparing a Defense With the Help of a Virginia Armed Robbery Lawyer

A criminal lawyer would begin preparing the defense by taking a look at all the evidence and what the prosecution is bringing against that individual. For the purposes of Virginia law, a person does not get this right away, so it is important for the prosecutor to start mounting a defense. A lawyer should start mounting a defense even before the prosecution to impute any of the discovery evidence, which is important to get sooner rather than later to preserve the evidence otherwise it may get lost. This includes videos, potential witnesses, and alibis that a person might need to defend against the prosecution’s allegations. It is important that a defense attorney starts using these right away to at least keep these avenues open for defense purposes.

Value of a Virginia Armed Robbery Attorney

If someone is facing Virginia armed robbery penalties, it is important that they work with someone who is aggressive, has done this type of charge before,  and is able to come out at the gate running with a very robust defense. A qualified robbery lawyer could devote the time and resources necessary to build a solid defense for an individual.

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