Armed Robbery
Los Angeles County Armed Robbery Defense Attorney
Armed robbery is one of the most serious criminal charges a person can be charged with in Los Angeles County. While ALL robberies are charged as a felony offense, armed robbery can often result in significant jail or state prison time. If you are convicted of committing a robbery with a gun, you also face the possibility of an additional prison sentence from 10 to 25 years!
In California, a robbery occurs when a person takes the personal property of another person by the use of fear or actual force. To be charged with a robbery, the alleged defendant must take the property directly from the alleged victim.
Armed Robbery may be charged in “Stick-up” cases, usually involving a retail store or bank, where someone displays or even just mentions a weapon, since in California you do not have to actually have a weapon to be charged with armed robbery. All you have to do is mention that you have a weapon or threaten to use a weapon, whether you actually have one or not. Armed Robbery may also involve robbery of a home or hotel room known as “armed home invasion robbery.”
Armed Robbery charges may be filed as first-degree robbery or as second-degree robbery. The maximum prison sentence for first-degree robbery is 6 to 9 years. The maximum prison sentence for second-degree robbery is 5-years. In California, robbery is also considered a “serious” felony and therefore a “strike offense,” which means that you will face significantly increased penalties if you are ever convicted of another felony at some future time.
Considering these serious potential prison penalties associated with an armed robbery conviction, choosing the right criminal defense attorney is critical. The Baum Law Firm has the experience and skills to examine the strengths and weaknesses of an armed robbery criminal case, and use his skills to get your case dismissed or reduced to lesser charges so as to downgrade the potential consequences of the criminal charges facing you. If necessary, he will prepare and bring a strong defense to trial.
Enhanced Penalties for Armed Robbery
In addition to any prison time you may be required to serve for a first or second-degree robbery conviction, you may be sentenced to a prison term of 10 to 25 years for the separate offense of using a weapon in the commission of a crime. In California, the use of a firearm in the commission of a crime may result in the following penalties:
- A 10-year prison sentence for use of a firearm in the commission of a crime
- A 20-year prison sentence if you discharged the firearm
- A 25-years-to-life prison sentence if you killed another person or caused serious bodily harm
- Possible Armed Robbery Defenses
It is not uncommon that a person is unjustly convicted of armed robbery based on faulty eye-witness identification in a police line-up. There are many defenses that a skilled and experienced Los Angeles County area criminal defense lawyer can use to help you fight your armed robbery charges. The Baum Law Firm has 13-years experience defending felony criminal charges. We have many resources including the thorough investigation of every aspect of a criminal case to determine the best possible strategies to use in your unique defense. We will personally work along side you to get your armed robbery charges dismissed or reduced through a negotiated plea arrangement or take your case to a jury trial, if necessary.
Call us for a free confidential consultation today!
In Los Angeles County, The Baum Law Corp. routinely handles armed robbery cases in:
Airport Court (LAX), Alhambra, Antelope Valley (Lancaster), Antelope Valley Juvenile, Bellfower, Beverly Hills, Burbank, Catalina, Central Arraignment (Bauchet), Compton, Downtown Los Angeles (CCB), Downey, East Los Angeles, Eastlake Juvenile, El Monte, Glendale, Hollywood, Inglewood, Inglewood Juvenile, Long Beach, Malibu, Metropolitan (Hill Street), Newhall, Norwalk, Pasadena, Pomona, Torrance, San Fernando Valley, Santa Clarita (Valencia), Van Nuys, West Covina, and Whittier.