If you are accused of taking someone else’s money or property without their consent, you could be charged with either petit or grand theft, depending on the financial value of the items involved. Under certain circumstances, this type of offense could be categorized as robbery, a substantially more severe felony offense that may result in life imprisonment upon conviction.
You should not try to handle a robbery charge without support from a seasoned theft defense attorney. If you are facing allegations of robbery, contact a Marathon robbery lawyer at Keys Criminal Defense, PLLC. Dedicated legal representation could make a difference in the outcome of your legal proceedings.
Florida Statute § 812.014 defines theft as knowingly obtaining or using someone else’s property with the intent to deprive the person of that property’s benefits or to benefit from it themselves. As mentioned above, the severity of a standard theft offense usually depends on the total value of goods allegedly taken and sometimes on the nature of those goods. The criminal classification of a theft offense may vary from a second-degree misdemeanor to a first-degree felony.
By comparison, Fla. Stat. § 812.13 defines robbery as committing an act of theft and, in the course of doing so, using or threatening violent force. The most basic form of this offense is a second-degree felony carrying maximum penalties upon conviction, including 15 years in prison and $15,000 in fines. During an initial consultation, your Marathon attorney could examine the allegations against you to determine what penalties you may be facing following your robbery charge.
Committing robbery with a deadly weapon, also known as armed robbery, could result in even harsher sanctions upon conviction compared to those associated with a standard robbery charge. Under the aforementioned statute, commission of armed robbery with any kind of weapon is a first-degree felony, for which a convicted defendant may face up to 30 years of prison time and a maximum fine of $15,000.
If the weapon in question is a firearm or other deadly weapon, the offense becomes a first-degree felony punishable by a maximum term of life imprisonment in the event of a conviction. These penalties may be applied even against first-time offenders, making it essential to work with an experienced robbery defense lawyer in Marathon to protect your best interests.
Even if you have no prior criminal record, a single conviction for unarmed or armed robbery could permanently alter the course of your life. In addition to years of imprisonment, thousands of dollars in fines, and a permanent felony record, you could also face civil liability for any financial loss you cause to the person you allegedly targeted and robbed. These expenses sometimes dwarf the financial sanctions imposed against you in criminal court.
Nevertheless, you have help available from our skilled legal team at Keys Criminal Defense, PLLC. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and learn what a Marathon robbery lawyer could do to assist you.
