Salisbury Robbery Lawyer
If the State obtains a conviction against someone for robbery, the person may spend time in jail. This may notably be true for the crime of armed robbery.
If you are facing a criminal charge, you may need a Salisbury robbery lawyer on your side who can help you defend your case. A knowledgeable attorney could offer you both thorough and result-oriented legal representation.
Burden of Proof
In criminal cases, the prosecution has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. This may not mean that the prosecutor must demonstrate, one hundred percent that the accused committed a robbery. The prosecutor may only need to meet its burden beyond a doubt which is based upon common sense and ordinary reason.
To meet their required burden, the prosecutor must prove various legal elements to obtain a conviction. In the robbery context, the prosecutor must show that the accused intended to take another person’s services or property by using or threatening force. The accused and their attorney must do so with the intention of depriving the true owner of their property on a permanent basis.
In order to demonstrate that the accused committed an armed robbery, the prosecutor must prove the same elements as with ordinary robbery. However, the accused must have used a dangerous or deadly weapon that is capable of inflicting death or serious bodily harm on someone else. A deadly weapon could include a knife, firearm, or other dangerous weapons.
If the prosecutor cannot meet their burden of proof, a robbery attorney in Salisbury may be able to help you obtain a dismissal of your charge.
Consequences of a Robbery Conviction
In Salisbury, both robbery and armed robbery are felonies. A conviction may result in a maximum of 15 years of incarceration. Convicted individuals may also need to pay hefty fines. The accused may also have to pay restitution to the alleged complainant. An armed robbery conviction may result in up to 20 years of incarceration, fines, and potential restitution paid to the alleged complainant.
A robbery conviction also goes on the accused’s criminal record, which the general public may be able to view. A conviction could make it extremely difficult to:
- Keep or find a good job
- Go to school at a reputable institution
- Find a place to live
Prospective employers, schools, and landlords may regularly perform criminal background checks prior to making their decisions. A Salisbury attorney could help a person understand how a robbery may impact their life beyond their sentence.
How a Salisbury Robbery Attorney Could Help
A Salisbury robbery attorney could argue a legal defense on your behalf. An attorney may be able to allege entrapment where a police “decoy” or undercover officer unlawfully coerced you into committing the offense.
Another possible defense is duress, where an individual threatened you with death or serious bodily harm if you did not commit the offense. An attorney may allege that no one could positively identify you. This may include police lineup identifications.
If the State has charged you with robbery, you may not have time to waste. An experienced Salisbury robbery lawyer could meet with you about your case and start helping you defend your charge right away.