Experienced Criminal Defense Lawyer Defends Clients Accused of Robbery in Hamilton and Trenton, New Jersey
Robbery is a crime that is taken extremely seriously by New Jersey law enforcement, and conviction will result in jail time in nearly every single case. Although robbery is a theft crime, the crucial element in proving that the theft was elevated to the level of a robbery crime involves establishing that the accused individual stole through the use or threat of force.
At the Davis Law Firm, LLC, our skilled robbery defense lawyers have a combined two decades’ worth of experience successfully advocating for clients’ rights in Mercer County robbery cases. We know how serious the consequences of a robbery conviction will be, and work determinedly to prepare the most smart and aggressive defense strategy possible for all of our clients who have been accused of robbery.
Elements of a Robbery Charge Under New Jersey Law
In New Jersey, an individual can only be convicted for committing robbery if the prosecution is able to prove specific elements of the crime under N.J.S.A. 2C:15-1. Those required elements include proving that the accused individual committed a theft crime, and in the course of committing that crime one of the following was also true:
- The accused individual inflicted bodily injury or used force against the victim,
- The accused individual threatened the victim with the use of force, or intentionally caused the victim to fear immediate bodily injury, or
- The accused individual committed or threatened to immediately commit any other first or second degree crime.
The prosecution must also establish that the accused individual acted intentionally in committing all required acts under the robbery statute. The punishment for a robbery conviction can vary depending upon the circumstances, but in general robbery is punishable as:
- A second degree offense, which can result in a prison sentence ranging between five and 10 years, or
- A first degree offense where aggravating factors are present, which can result in a prison sentence ranging between 10 and 20 years.
Robbery in New Jersey is typically a second degree offense, but can be elevated to a first degree crime if the accused individual attempted to kill anyone, intentionally inflicted or attempted to inflict serious bodily injury, or was armed with, used or threatened to use a deadly weapon in the course of committing the theft crime. Carjacking is also treated as a robbery offense that is elevated to first degree status. The term “deadly weapon” is interpreted broadly to include any weapon capable of causing serious injury, ranging from guns and knives to even a baseball bat.
How Can a Robbery Lawyer Help Formulate a Defense in Your Mercer County Case?
Regardless of whether the crime is elevated to first degree status, before becoming eligible for parole, all individuals who are convicted of robbery are required to serve at least 85 percent of their prison term under New Jersey law. Substantial monetary fines can also apply in addition to required prison time. Because of the severity of the punishment for robbery, the advice of an experienced robbery lawyer is critical to preventing conviction if at all possible in your case.
The prosecution is required to prove every single necessary element of the crime of robbery beyond a reasonable doubt in order to convict, giving an experienced criminal defense attorney numerous opportunities to uncover any weaknesses in the prosecution’s case against you. At the Davis Law Firm, LLC, our lawyers will fight to have the charges against you reduced or even dropped by:
- Examining how the prosecution obtained the evidence against you, including by investigating to determine whether the police violated your constitutional rights,
- Determining whether the police obtained evidence through a violation of your Miranda rights,
- Mounting defenses such as establishing that you had an alibi for the time the alleged robbery occurred,
- Arguing to establish that the prosecution failed to prove every single element of the robbery charge beyond a reasonable doubt.
Retaining an experienced and reputable criminal defense lawyer with specific experience in handling robbery cases can be critical. At the Davis Law Firm, LLC, our lawyers understand what types of evidence to look for and how to poke holes in the prosecution’s case, and will work tirelessly to obtain the best possible result in your case.
Contact a Reputable Mercer County Robbery Lawyer to Discuss Your Case Today
Accusations of robbery should be taken extremely seriously, and you need an experienced and resourceful criminal defense lawyer to advocate on your behalf. At the Davis Law Firm, LLC, our lawyers will provide straightforward advice specific to your case, and will fight to obtain the best possible result regardless of the severity of the charges against you. Call our offices, or fill out this secure online form, to schedule a free initial consultation with one of our experienced criminal defense attorneys today. Our offices are conveniently located at 2653 Nottingham Way, Hamilton, NJ 08619.
