Robbery arrests occur if someone takes personal property from another and uses force or threat of danger to do so. But what is armed robbery exactly? Armed robbery simply refers to a robbery offense involving use of a weapon. Most robbery allegations are armed robbery or aggravated robbery offenses, which involves the use of a deadly weapon. Robbery accusations often go hand in hand with additional crimes such as theft, burglary, assault or trespassing. This is not a crime that should be taken lightly.
Additional Robbery Charges
There are a number of different instances of robbery outside of armed robbery. Aggravated robbery, for example, involves using a deadly weapon or something that appears to be a deadly weapon while highway robbery takes place outside the home in a public area. Carjacking is another form of robbery which involves stealing a car from a victim by force.
If convicted of armed robbery, you could be facing up to ten years in prison and a fine of up to $20,000. For aggravated robbery, you could be sentenced with 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $35,000.
Instances of Armed and Aggravated Robbery
Armed robbery can happen anytime, anywhere. However, below are some of the common instances of armed and aggravated robbery:
- If you have broken into someone’s house, threatened them with a knife and stolen items from their jewelry box
- If you have entered a commercial residence, threatened the store worker with a gun and taken money from the cash register
- If you have threatened someone with a finger (concealed to look like a gun) at an ATM machine
- If you have threatened to hurt someone in a car if they do not get out of the vehicle
Armed Robbery Accusations
If you have been accused of armed robbery, then you will want to do everything in your power to clear your name. Why? Because an armed robbery conviction can negatively impact your entire life even after you have served your time. It is important to not only think about how this conviction will affect your present but also your future.
- robbery charges can make it impossible to find accommodation. Most landlords perform criminal background checks on possible tenants. It can be hard to explain an armed robbery offense and most landlords will not risk the safety of others and of their building
- robbery charges can also make it difficult to find decent work. Employers may classify you as a troublemaker and be wary of theft at the workplace, especially if the job requires interaction with money, customers or other valuable material
- robbery charges can negatively impact your ability to win additonal court cases, such as child custody
- robbery can affect to right to own firearms, to have a passport and, in some instances, to vote.
Minnesota Criminal Defense Lawyer
Don’t let an accusation of armed robbery affect the rest of your life. Protect your rights and reputation as well as your personal and professional life. If you or someone you love is facing a criminal conviction, then now is the time to step up and fight back. Contact Anoka criminal lawyer Michael Brandt at 763-421-6366 for a free, no obligation consultation.