Robbery
Robbery is considered a violent crime and is a serious felony offense in the state of Virginia. Robbery is any theft involving violence.Robbery is defined as being the taking of property from another by the use of threats or force. It is a form of theft; however, robbery is more serious than a normal theft offense because of the threat of harm to the property owner. It doesn’t matter how valuable the stolen property is. Robbery is an extremely serious offense.
An armed robbery involves robbery with the use of a weapon. A charge of robbery will depend on a number of factors, including certain factors about the case and the strength of the evidence the prosecutor has against the accused. If the defendant uses force against the victim or threatens deadly force with the presence of a weapon, typically first-degree robbery charges are filed. Second-degree robbery consists of the alleged victim being in fear of bodily injury to them but no weapon is used in the commission of the crime.
Crimes are made up of elements which must be present in order to convict a person of that offense. The defendant is guilty of robbery if:
- He/she acts without the property owners permission
- Intends to steal the property in question
- Takes property from its rightful own
- Uses force or intimidation to acquire the property
- Under certain conditions, a criminal conviction for using force or intimidation to take someone else’s property can result in a life sentence. Given the seriousness of the crime, it is necessary to speak with an experienced attorney with the necessary skill, reputation and dedication to obtain proper representation.