Lafayette Robbery Lawyer
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Robbery Defense Attorney in Lafayette, LA
Robbery is a type of theft offense, and it is also a violent offense. Because of this, robbery charges are usually felony offenses, resulting in potential years in prison, significant fines, and other criminal consequences upon conviction. If you have been arrested for or charged with robbery, you need an experienced Lafayette robbery lawyer to protect your rights and defend you against these charges. Whether or not you committed the crime, legal representation is essential.
Dedicated and Skilled Robbery Defense With Stockstill Defense Firm
The criminal defense attorneys and team at Stockstill Defense Firm provide diligent and knowledgeable legal representation for those accused of offenses like robbery in Lafayette. Our firm has over 25 years of experience in criminal defense law, and we have a successful record of case dismissals, favorable negotiations and plea deals, acquittals, and direct appeals. Our goal is to fight for your interests and create a strong defense that secures you the most beneficial outcome.
Being convicted of a criminal offense can change your entire life. When you work with Stockstill Defense Firm, we can advocate for you and try to limit or eliminate the consequences the charge has on your life and freedom. We can explain the charges you face, listen to your side of things, and determine the defense that is right for your situation. The earlier you begin working with our team, the sooner we can begin defending your rights and interests.
If you are charged with robbery in Lafayette, your case will be managed by the 15th Judicial District Court, which serves Lafayette, Acadia, and Vermillion Parishes. There is a courthouse in each parish. The Lafayette Parish Courthouse is located at 800 S. Buchanan Street.
Understanding the Types of Robbery Charges in Lafayette, LA
Robbery involves the taking of someone’s property. However, unlike other types of theft, it involves intimidation, threat, and force. This makes it a violent crime. In Louisiana, there were a total of 4,025 robberies in the state in 2019. 148 of these offenses occurred in Lafayette. The majority of the state’s robberies were committed with firearms, with strong-arming being the second-most common method of robbery.
Because robbery is a violent crime, it is penalized more severely and prosecuted more harshly. When a dangerous weapon or firearm is used, or harm comes to the victim, the robbery is charged more harshly. There are several types of robbery charges in Lafayette, including:
Simple robbery
This occurs when anything of value is taken from a person or their immediate control by using force or intimidation, but no dangerous weapon. This results in a less severe penalty than other types of robbery, but it is still a serious and violent offense.
First-degree robbery
This is charged when the perpetrator commits simple robbery and leads the victim to believe that they are armed with a dangerous weapon.
Second-degree robbery
There are two ways that robbery would be charged as second-degree robbery. The first is when the perpetrator intentionally causes serious bodily harm to the victim. It may also be charged when three or more perpetrators act together to take valuable items from a retail store employee or employer. These individuals work together to either avoid being caught or detected, overwhelm any response to the robbery, or prevent a reasonable person from intervening.
Armed robbery
This is a robbery with a dangerous weapon. It is charged more severely when this dangerous weapon is a firearm.
The severity of the penalties relies on the specifics of the robbery committed and the evidence of the robbery. A conviction can result in years in prison, usually with hard labor and often without the benefit of parole or suspension.
Working with a skilled attorney provides you with the greatest chance at a strong defense. Their work can reduce the charges you face or avoid a conviction. An attorney could argue that:
- You lacked the intent to commit the crime.
- The victim has mistaken the identity of the perpetrator.
- The prosecutors have insufficient evidence against you.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How Much Time Does Armed Robbery Carry in Louisiana?
Armed robbery in Louisiana can result in between e of imprisonment with hard labor. The exact sentence that someone may get from an armed robbery conviction will depend significantly on the aggravating and mitigating factors of the offense, such as whether anyone was hurt, if any vulnerable individuals were threatened, and the type of weapon used. Armed robbery with a firearm could result in an additional five years added to the sentence.
What is the 14:27 Law in Louisiana?
This law covers the offense of attempting to commit a crime, even if the individual did not or would not have committed the offense. The individual must have a specific intent and either engage in an act or a lack of action that would have directly resulted in the objective of committing that offense. Simply preparing to commit a crime is not enough to be charged under this law.
What is Considered Robbery in Louisiana?
There are several types of robbery in Louisiana. These occur when someone forcefully takes something from another person through intimidation or force, including:
- First-degree robbery, where the victim believes there is a dangerous weapon
- Second-degree robbery, where the victim suffers bodily harm
- Simple robbery
- Armed robbery
- Armed robbery with a firearm
These offenses are all charged as robbery, although not all offenses result in hard labor. All offenses can result in imprisonment and fines.
What Are the Three Main Elements of Robbery?
The three main elements of robbery in Louisiana are:
- Taking anything of value that belongs to another person
- Taking the item from their person or immediate control
- Using force, intimidation, or threats to take the item from them
Aggravating factors, like causing serious bodily harm, leading someone to believe a weapon is being used, or the use of a firearm, can worsen the charges but are not necessary to count as a robbery offense.
Experienced Criminal Defense for Robbery Charges in Lafayette
Everyone deserves a strong defense against criminal charges. A conviction for robbery charges can alter your entire future, limiting many opportunities in your life. It’s important to take action to mitigate these consequences. Stockstill Defense Firm can defend your rights against such charges. Contact our firm to schedule a consultation today.
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