Robbery

Robbery is a serious crime and is taken very seriously in the State of Virginia. The penalties assessed for a felony conviction of robbery in the state of Virginia can be severe, and in most cases if you’re convicted of robbery, you will be required to spend time in prison. In Virginia, there are mandatory minimum sentences related to a robbery conviction, so even under the best circumstances, you will spend time behind bars. Virginia Code states that if a person commits a robbery “he shall be guilty of a felony and shall be punished by confinement in a state correctional facility for life or any term not less than five years”.

Elements necessary for a robbery conviction

In order for the prosecution to prove that a robbery has taken place, several components must be clearly demonstrated to the satisfaction of a judge and/or jury. Here are the five basic elements which need to be proven in order for the prosecution to make a case for robbery:

• Intent– the suspect had the intention of taking something from the victim
• Personal property– the object or objects which the suspect intended to steal, were in fact the personal property of another individual
• Presence of the victim– the personal property which was taken from the victim was removed while the victim was present at the scene
• Volitional act– the act of stealing was carried out against the victims will
• Presence of harm–The act of stealing was carried out by force or threat of force

Carjacking

Anyone convicted of robbery involving a vehicle has the potential to be charged with carjacking, which carries a sentence of between 15 years and life in prison. Carjacking is generally considered to involve threats of force, or the actual use of force to carry out some kind of theft of a vehicle, and it usually also involves the use of some kind of weapon. Penalties for a carjacking conviction can be much greater when other elements are involved, such as injuries or death, use of a deadly weapon, or if the carjacking involved a police vehicle or emergency vehicle.

Defending a robbery case

Defending a robbery case is difficult for many reasons and one important reason is the public perception of robbery as a violent crime. Most people believe they could easily be a victim of robbery and can envision themselves suffering through the aftermath of this violent crime

Defense of a robbery charge can also be difficult based on the evidence collected by the prosecution. Evidence in a robbery case often involves elements like video, blood samples, fingerprints and eyewitness accounts. While this evidence can be daunting to a defense team, a skilled criminal defense attorney can mount an effective defense, after reviewing all evidence and facts of the case, and hearing testimony of witnesses. The skilled robbery defense attorneys at Olmstead & Olmstead have the experience and tenacity to craft a defense that are tailored to the facts of your case.

Defending you against a charge of robbery

A conviction of robbery or carjacking in Virginia is considered a serious crime, and because it carries such a strong penalty, it’s very important that an aggressive defense be mounted on your behalf as early as possible. If you’ve been charged with robbery you should, as soon as reasonably possible, contact the experienced and aggressive robbery defense attorneys at Olmstead & Olmstead to retain the best legal representation.

Even with much of the legal community working against you, the skilled and experienced team of criminal defense attorneys at Olmstead & Olmstead will work diligently to successfully protect your rights and drive a successful outcome. This might mean disproving the presence of one or more of the five elements necessary for a robbery conviction.

Contact us

Robbery or carjacking charges need to be taken very seriously. Considering the potential penalties and minimum sentencing requirements you need to contact Olmstead & Olmstead right away. If you are facing a robbery charge in Virginia, we are available to help you fight the charges. Our experienced and knowledgeable Virginia robbery defense attorneys are ready to meet with you to create a plan for your defense. Contact us today at (703) 361-1555 or contact us online. Olmstead & Olmstead, P.C. has a strong presence throughout Northern Virginia, including Prince William, Fauquier, Fairfax, Loudoun, Stafford, and Arlington counties.