Robbery is a serious charge in Pennsylvania, and if you have been accused of robbery, it is time to act. A robbery conviction comes with severe legal penalties and fines, but there are also considerable social consequences to consider. If you or someone you care about has been charged with robbery, an experienced defense attorney at Mette Law will spare no effort in their quest to help.

The Robbery Charge

In Pennsylvania, the crime of robbery involves two separate acts that include both assault and a theft offense. Assault refers to intentionally or knowingly causing someone else to suffer serious bodily injury or credibly threatening to do so.

For the charge of robbery to attach, however, the assault must have been committed as a means of perpetrating or attempting to perpetrate theft. For its part, theft refers to unlawfully taking someone else’s property to permanently deprive them of it.

The Grade of Force Involved

In Pennsylvania, robbery charges are categorized according to the grade of force used in the course of committing the theft. Consider the following levels, which are ranked from most serious to least:

• Causing the victim to suffer serious bodily injury.
• Credibly threatening to cause the victim to suffer serious bodily injury.
• Committing a first- or second-degree felony or threatening to do so imminently.
• Causing the victim to suffer bodily injury, credibly threatening to do so, or causing them to fear imminent physical injury.
• Using any degree of force to take property from the victim.

While some robbery charges are more serious than others, any robbery conviction can have lasting consequences that have the potential to derail your future.

The Legal Consequences of a Conviction

Every robbery case is specific to the unique circumstances that apply. It’s important to point out, however, that every robbery charge in Pennsylvania is a felony that carries prison time. The determinative variables when it comes to robbery charges include the facts involved, the level of gravity assigned, how the offense is charged, and the accused person’s prior record.

The Deadly Weapon Enhancement

The State of Pennsylvania also employs a deadly weapon sentencing enhancement for robbery charges. And this can increase the sentencing requirements considerably.

It should be noted that you do not have to use the deadly weapon in question for the enhancement to apply. Simply having it in your possession qualifies. The term deadly weapon applies to guns, knives, metal knuckles, blackjacks, and beyond.

Consult with an Experienced Lebanon Robbery Lawyer Today

If you are facing a robbery charge, you should not proceed without skilled legal guidance. The effective Lebanon, PA, robbery attorneys at Mette Attorneys at Law have earned a formidable reputation for effecting advantageous case resolutions for all our valued clients, and we welcome the opportunity to do the same for you. Learn more about what we can do to help by contacting us online or calling us at 717-232-5000 today.