Clearwater Robbery Lawyer
The crime of robbery is a very serious one in Clearwater, and throughout Florida. In the Sunshine State, a robbery occurs every 24 minutes, according to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. In response to the high robbery rate, law enforcement agencies and the prosecution for the state pursue robbery charges quite aggressively. If you have been arrested and charged with this crime, you need a strong legal defense. Our Clearwater robbery lawyer can provide it.
Defining Robbery in Clearwater
Under Florida law, robbery is defined as taking property or money from another person with the intent to permanently or temporarily deprive the victim of it. Robbery is unique from other theft offenses because the prosecution must prove that the accused threatened the victim with violence or force, or that they used violence or force while committing the crime.
Types of Robbery Charges in Clearwater
The term ‘robbery’ is an umbrella term that refers to many different criminal offenses. The different types of robbery outlined under Florida law are as follows:
- Robbery by sudden snatching: Like all types of robbery, this offense involves taking property from someone else, intending to deny them of it. To constitute robbery by sudden snatching, the alleged victim must have known about the theft while the crime was being committed.
- Robbery with a deadly weapon: Robbery with a deadly weapon occurs when someone steals someone else’s property while using a deadly weapon, such as a knife. If another object, such as a pipe, is used as a deadly weapon during the commission of the act, the defendant may also be charged with robbery with a deadly weapon.
- Robbery with a firearm: If the defendant allegedly used a firearm during a robbery, the crime is much more serious. If the weapon is fired during the commission of the crime, penalties substantially increase.
- Home invasion robbery: A home invasion robbery occurs when a person unlawfully enters the home of another person with the intention to rob them of their money or property.
The penalties for robbery in Florida are harsh. For the most minor charge, robbery by sudden snatching, the minimum penalty is a maximum of five years in prison. The most serious charge, home invasion robbery, carries a sentence of up to 30 years in prison, or even life if a weapon was used.
Robbery Defenses in Clearwater
The defenses for robbery depend largely on the facts of a case. Some defenses are common in other criminal cases as well, such as when an arrest followed an unlawful search or seizure. Some defenses, though, are unique to robbery cases. For example, if a person believed they were the lawful owner of the robbery, that could also be used as a defense. A Clearwater robbery lawyer can advise on the best defense to use in a specific case.
Our Robbery Lawyer in Clearwater Can Assist with Your Case
Robbery is an extremely serious defense in Florida and if you are facing charges, you need a strong defense. At King Law Group, our Clearwater robbery lawyer is passionate about helping people beat their charges and we can help you, too. Call us now at 727-538-4265 or reach out to us online to schedule a free consultation so we can get started on your case.
