Robbery and Armed Robbery Lawyer in Chicago
Robbery Charges & Penalties
Another type of serious theft crime, robbery is a charge that can land a person in deep trouble with the law. While theft is defined as simply taking another person's property without their permission, robbery is defined as a theft that occurs against another person by threatening or using force against the victim to accomplish said theft. If you have been accused of or arrested for this crime, you will need the immediate and knowledgeable help of a Chicago criminal defense lawyer who can ensure your legal rights are protected and a strong defense is mounted on your behalf.
Robbery is considered a Class 2 felony in Illinois. If you are convicted of robbery, you could face 3 to 7 years in prison. Under certain extenuating circumstances, that sentence could be increased to 7 to 14 years. When a robbery occurs against a person who is over the age of 60 or is physically handicapped, or occurs in a school or place of worship, charges will be escalated to a Class 1 felony. This escalation can bring with it a 4 to 15-year prison sentence that can be enhanced to 30 to 60 years under certain circumstances. Probation is a possibility, unless prohibited by certain factors, such as having a Class 2 or Class 1 felony on your record within the last 10 years.
Robbery involves the forceful taking of property from another. Armed robbery involves the use of a weapon, such as club, knife or firearm to threaten the other person to turn over property. The penalties for this offense are 4 to 15 years in the state penitentiary. If no weapon was used, such as in a purse snatching or so-called “strong arm robbery”, the penalties are less severe. The severity of these cases should not be handled by anyone other than a highly experienced Chicago criminal lawyer.
We at the Law Offices of Howard J. Wise & Associates offer experienced and proven defense for those charged with robbery or armed robbery in the Chicago area. We are former prosecutors who know how the other side works to seek criminal convictions. We have handled thousands of cases as prosecutors and criminal defense attorneys and use our extensive knowledge to fight back for each client as we pursue the best possible outcome. We know the consequences of conviction and work tirelessly to defend our clients' innocence. For the aggressive defense you need, we urge you to contact a Chicago criminal defense lawyer at our offices at your earliest convenience. We are standing by to see how we can assist you.
Legal Defense for Individuals Accused of Armed Robbery
For a full understanding of what is involved with the charge of armed robbery, one must first understand robbery itself. Robbery occurs when one person, by means of force or imminent threat of violence, takes another person's property. While this is a grievous crime in and of itself, things can get worse in a hurry for a person accused of armed robbery. Just as the name implies, armed robbery occurs when someone uses a deadly weapon of any kind in the commission of a robbery. This can be anything from a firearm to a knife to a baseball bat.
If you find yourself arrested on armed robbery charges, you will need immediate assistance from aChicago criminal attorney who has the experience and resources to effectively assist you. Illinois law enforcement and prosecutors take the crime of armed robbery very seriously. Under state law, it is classified as a Class X felony with a mandatory prison sentence of 6 to 30 years. There will be no probation possible as an alternate to this mandatory sentence, and under certain aggravated circumstances the minimum sentence can be escalated to include a term of 30 to 60 years in prison.
Our firm works diligently to protect the rights of our clients. We investigate the whole incident thoroughly and examine the evidence the prosecution has built their case upon. Where there has been a confession, we review the situation for any violation of our client's rights against self-incrimination and, where found, immediately move to suppress the confession. We scrutinize lineup procedures for evidence of mistaken identity. If there has been a search of our client's home, we check for failures to obtain a warrant or other violations of our client's constitutional rights against search and seizure. We do everything in our power and use all of our resources to protect our clients.
Contact a Chicago robbery attorney at our offices for strong and aggressive defense against your charge.