Howard County Armed Robbery Penalties
Howard County armed robbery penalties can be severe. Armed robbery is theft, which is the taking of personal property of another with intent to deprive with the added element of either the use or brandishing of a dangerous or deadly weapon. If you have further inquiries about armed robbery penalties, a qualified and experienced lawyer is your best resource.
Elements of Criminal Charge
To reiterate, theft is taking property from another with the intent to deprive, robbery is a theft with either a force or threat of force, and armed robbery is robbery using or brandishing a dangerous or deadly weapon. It is important to understand these differences because of the varying levels of penalties that come with them. Robbery is 15 years in prison and armed robbery is 20 years in prison. Armed robbery is a felony offense, so the penalties are harsher in Howard County.
Not every object is a weapon. A Wiffle Ball bat is not a weapon. A baseball bat that is wood or metal is a weapon. But it is not just whether a weapon was in fact employed. Different weapons are characteristically different. Someone can take a lamp that is made out of porcelain and that could be considered a dangerous or deadly weapon because it could lead to severe bodily injury. The weapon is up to consideration depending on what is involved.
Prosecution of Armed Robbery
To be convicted of armed robbery, the prosecutor has to prove that the defendant intentionally took the property of another with the intent to deprive, by the use of force or threat of force while utilizing or brandishing a dangerous weapon.
Taking a Plea Deal
A plea deal is in the individual’s best interests when it is possible that it can get a result that is better than what the attorney would expect if they were unsuccessful at trial. There are always risks going to trial no matter how strong the case is. There is a likelihood that an individual can face a conviction and prison time, even if the evidence seems to lean in the favor of the defendant. Conversely, a plea deal provides a guarantee to both sides. Both the prosecutor and defense get a guarantee of a result as opposed to not knowing the outcome at trial. The penalties of a Howard County armed robbery could be mitigated through a plea deal.
Negotiating Down to Robbery Charge
Plea negotiations can often lead to discussions on various aspects of the charges. The amount of jail time, the nature of the charge, or which charge to proceed on can be all be aspects that a person can negotiate. This includes negotiating down to a robbery charge. This can be a good idea because carries a smaller maximum penalty in Howard County. That would be important to a defendant.
Working With a Defense Lawyer
An experienced criminal defense lawyer has handled these same charges before and understands the ins and outs of both the courtroom and the charges themselves. Experience means an attorney knows how to analyze and strategize for any possible defenses and what the appropriate course of action will be from the very beginning.
Anytime a person is dealing with something so severe that carries such significant consequences, it would be unwise to seek help from someone who does not have experience and a full understanding of what needs to be done. If you have concerns about Howard County armed robbery penalties, consult with an experienced attorney immediately.