Rockville Robbery Lawyer
The State of Maryland treats robbery charges and convictions very seriously, and a robbery conviction has the potential to land a criminal defendant in jail for a very long time. If a person has been charged with robbery in the State of Maryland, they may need experienced legal counsel on their side advocating for the person every step of the way.
A Rockville robbery lawyer can meet with you to discuss the facts and circumstances of your case and may be able to help you formulate a good legal defense, negotiate a favorable plea deal with the prosecution on your behalf, or represent you at your criminal trial or preliminary hearing.
Definition of Robbery Under Maryland Law
The Maryland Criminal Code defines robbery as intentionally taking or depriving a person of property or services, through the use of force or threat of force, with the intention of permanently depriving an individual of the property or services.
Maryland also criminalizes armed robbery, which is a distinct crime of robbery. Armed robbery is defined in the same way as robbery, except that armed robbery must be committed with a deadly or dangerous weapon, such as a knife, firearm, or other types of weapon that is capable of causing serious bodily injury or death.
Possible Penalties upon Conviction
A robbery conviction may result in a prison term of up to fifteen years, a fine, and restitution paid to the person. An armed robbery conviction may result in a 20-year prison sentence, in addition to a fine and restitution to the alleged individual.
Lifelong Repercussions of a Charge or Conviction
When a person is charged with or convicted of robbery, the charge remains on that person’s criminal record for many years to come. It is imperative that someone consults an experienced Rockville robbery lawyer if they are facing lifelong repercussions of a robbery charge or conviction. In this day-and-age, prospective employers and educational institutions routinely perform criminal background checks on job and school applicants.
If a prospective employee or student has a robbery charge on their criminal record, that could significantly hurt the applicant’s chances of being hired or gaining admission to an educational institution of their choice.
A robbery charge or conviction can also make it difficult to find a decent place to live since landlords frequently perform criminal background checks on lease applicants.
Possible Defenses to Robbery Charges
A criminal defendant may be able to assert some or all of the following defenses in response to a Maryland robbery or armed robbery charge:
- Duress – in cases where another individual incites the defendant to commit the crime.
- Entrapment – in cases where the police unlawfully incite the defendant to commit the crime.
- Improper or illegal search and seizure – in cases were the police or criminal investigators violate the defendant’s constitutional rights under the Fourth or Fifth Amendment.
- The inability of the person to correctly identify the suspect – in cases where the individual cannot positively identify the defendant as the person who committed the robbery.
Seeking a Rockville Robbery Attorney
Maryland robbery charges and convictions are serious business. If you have been charged with robbery or armed robbery in the State of Maryland, an experienced Rockville robbery lawyer may be able to assist you with your case and help you develop a solid legal defense to your charge. A lawyer may also be able to help you obtain a penalty reduction upon conviction.