Fredericksburg Robbery Lawyer
Theft is more than a game of cops and robbers. The police consider theft a serious offense and follow all leads and accusations carefully, especially when one person steals directly from another. Larceny is a crime against a person, rather than a property crime. There may have been a risk to the person robbed, so the government might consider the alleged robber a dangerous person.
If the police have accused you of robbery, you should take that accusation to heart to do your utmost to protect yourself, your reputation and your freedom by hiring an attorney.
Because stealing from another person is a felony, any conviction could result in a hefty jail sentence. No one wants to spend any amount of time in jail. You may want to take decisive action if you are worried about possible charges.
Speak with a Fredericksburg robbery lawyer at your earliest convenience to learn more about what you can expect and different options and defenses you may have.
Fredericksburg Robbery Laws
The Code of Virginia anticipates some element of violence when a person commits an act of robbery in §18.2-58. It is a felony if a person commits theft along with one of the following actions:
- partial choking,
- suffocation,
- hitting,
- other acts of violence,
- assault,
- create fear of serious harm, or
- threaten with a weapon.
If the court convicts a person, that person may face five years to a life sentence in prison.
Robbery of a Vehicle
Carjacking is a particular kind of felony robbery. It involves temporarily or permanently intending to deprive another of their vehicle using the same sort of violence required for theft, as found in Code of Virginia §18.2-58.1. The punishment is 15 years to life in prison.
Grand and Petit Larceny
It is also a type of robbery if there is not violence. If the item taken is worth five dollars or more, that is grand larceny and may be a felony that the government punishes with one to 20 years in jail. If the court tries the case as a misdemeanor, the convicted person may face up to 12 months in prison and a fine of no more than $2,500.
If a person takes an item worth less than five dollars from another, that is petit larceny and is a misdemeanor. The court will not send a convicted person to jail for more than one year and may order a fine of up to $2,500.
Possible Punishments for a Robbery Conviction
Also, a person is not eligible for parole until that person has served at least 85 percent person of their sentence. Considering these harsh rules, having a strong defense may be vital if a person faces charges for a violent act.
Let a Fredericksburg Robbery Attorney Assist You
If the government suspects you of robbery, you may want to take action. Your freedom could be at risk. Depending on your circumstances you could even be sentenced to life in jail. Make sure you keep every document related to your matter and reach out to an attorney to see what kind of help might be available to you.
A Fredericksburg robbery lawyer may help develop a definite plan of defense. Call as soon as you can because time may be a factor in your case.
