Baltimore Robbery Lawyer
Robbery is the taking of the property of another with the intent to deprive the owner of said property. The key distinction between a felony robbery and a misdemeanor theft is that the former involves the use or threat of force. It is the prosecutor’s job to prove both the intent and the force of the incident in court. If you find you are being investigated for or have been charged with robbery, contact an experienced Baltimore theft lawyer right away to begin preparing the best defense possible.
Penalties
In Baltimore, robbery is charged as a felony. If convicted, a person could face up to 15 years of incarceration, as well as three to five years’ probation upon their release. Additionally, their permanent record will reflect a felony conviction for a violent crime. This can lead to future complications and restrictions regarding such necessities as employment and housing.
Some of the other penalties a robbery conviction may carry include:
- Up to 15 years’ incarceration
- Up to five years’ probation upon release from jail
- A lifetime record as a convicted felon
Preparing a Defense
There are a number of approaches the defense can take. The approach is determined by the evidence. For that reason, the most important element is to obtain all the evidence. In some cases, an individual may only have a brief summary of the incident. If there was someone who was hurt, the attorney will obtain medical records. If there is video surveillance, the defense will subpoena the video and request it. If there are witnesses, the attorney will have to investigate or interview them.
The key is to explore every option of defense to refute the charge or allegation.
Contacting An Attorney
When first contacting a Baltimore robbery lawyer, it is important bring as much information as possible about the incident. Sometimes, all a person knows is that the police came looking for them. Other times, they have already been charged and released on bail for robbery. Oftentimes, the family of the individual calls with whatever they have.
Regardless of the circumstances, here are some examples of useful documentation when contacting the attorney:
- Serving Documents
- Witness Statements
- Video Recordings
- Audio Recordings
This information is useful because the more details the lawyer has, the more they can assess the case and give valuable feedback.
How An Attorney Can Help
Because of the nature of the offense and the substantial incarceration you could face if convicted, a Baltimore robbery lawyer can be a powerful asset. An attorney is who has handled these types of cases before will bring a wealth of knowledge to the relationship. For instance, an experienced attorney will know
- What to expect
- What evidence must be gathered
- How prosecutors will likely approach the case
- What possible solutions and negotiations will work
Taking all of this into account, a Baltimore robbery lawyer can help you fight the charges and reach the best outcome possible.