Robbery is a violent crime and individuals accused of it are not often viewed with much sympathy in the Indiana justice system. Prosecutors will do all they legally can to prove your guilt beyond a reasonable doubt and lock you up. When you have been arrested for robbery, you can rely on Chopra Criminal Defense in Bloomington to fight for you.
Allison Chopra is a committed and experienced robbery charges defense lawyer. She understands the fear, confusion, and frustration that people accused of such serious crimes face. Allison has worked as a prosecutor in the state and now focuses entirely on criminal defense. This dual experience provides her unique insight into how prosecutors think and operate, which benefits her clients.
Call us at (812) 671-0103 to schedule a free consultation.
Legal Help for Bloomington Robbery Charges
Sometimes people confuse theft and robbery, but robbery is a different criminal charge. One is a property crime and the other is considered a violent crime.
The law defines theft as intentionally exerting unauthorized control over another person’s property with the intent to deprive the person of it.
Indiana Code 35-42-5-1 defines robbery as knowingly or intentionally taking property from another person by using or threatening to use force or by putting a person in fear, or knowingly and intentionally taking a controlled substance from a pharmacist or pharmacy through force or fear.
Robbery is charged as a felony in Indiana. The state has six levels of felonies. A Level 1 felony charge is the most serious while a Level 6 is considered the least serious.
Robbery is a Level 5 felony, or a Level 4 felony when it involves taking drugs from a pharmacist or pharmacy.
Factors that Make Robbery Charges More Severe
Penalties become even more severe in the following situations:
- Level 3 – If a deadly weapon is used or anyone besides the perpetrator is injured.
- Level 2 – If someone besides the perpetrator suffers serious bodily injuries.
- Level 2 – If a deadly weapon is used in robbing a pharmacy/pharmacist to take controlled substances or someone besides the perpetrator is injured.
- Level 1 – If anyone but the perpetrator is seriously injured while robbing a pharmacist/pharmacy for drugs.
Penalties for Robbery Convictions in Indiana
Penalties for robbery convictions include years in prison and fines of up to $10,000. The more serious the crime the longer the time behind bars. Aggravating factors that may be present can add years to a sentence.
Examples of Robbery Crimes and Penalties
Here are prison term ranges for the different felony levels for robbery crimes:
- Level 5 felony: one to six years
- Level 4 felony: two to 12 years
- Level 3 felony: three to 16 years
- Level 2 felony: 10 to 30 years
- Level 1 felony: 20 to 40 years
Potential Factors Considered During Sentencing
If you are convicted of robbery, the judge may consider other factors in determining your sentence. Mitigating factors such as not having a prior criminal record or your willingness to take responsibility for your criminal actions could potentially convince the judge to impose a lighter sentence.
On the other hand, aggravating circumstances can result in a harsher sentence. In addition to using a weapon in the robbery or causing injuries, the victim’s age could be an aggravating factor, including if the robbery victim was 65 years of age or older or 12 years old or younger. If the victim was mentally or physically disabled, that is another possible aggravating factor. If you violated a protective order or parole or probation in committing the crime, those are also aggravating circumstances.
Possible Long-Term Consequences of a Conviction
Even after you’ve served your time, a robbery conviction will continue to impact your life. With such a crime on your record, you may have trouble getting a job. Landlords may not want to rent to you as a convicted felon. You could have problems obtaining a loan to buy a home or car. And perhaps most distressing, relationships with your children, family, and friends may be irreparably damaged.
Why You Need a Robbery Defense Lawyer
When you’ve been charged with a felony robbery offense, going to prison for a long time is a real possibility. You should never try to go it alone in such a situation, as you could do serious damage to your case and, consequently, your future. A dedicated and experienced robbery defense lawyer will be by your side during this stressful time to ensure that you get the most advantageous result for your unique circumstances.
Allison Chopra will investigate all the intricate evidence to build a defense carefully tailored to your unique situation. Based on the evidence, she will consider whether your charges could be reduced or even dismissed. If a reduction or dismissal is not possible, Allison will effectively build a strong defense against the robbery charges.
Defenses Against Robbery Charges
There are various defenses that can be used against robbery charges. Our attorney will discuss with you possible defense options once she understands the facts of your case. Defenses in robbery cases can include:
- Mistaken identify
- Insufficient evidence to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt
- Entrapment by law enforcement
- Illegal search and seizure of evidence by police
- Duress due to threats of violence from another person
- Errors in the chain of custody
Fight Your Robbery Charges. Call Allison Chopra.
A robbery conviction will turn your life upside down. You will be at an advantage when you work with an experienced Indiana attorney who is not afraid to stand up aggressively to protect your future. Robbery defense lawyer Allison Chopra will fight to ensure you get the best possible outcome for your circumstances.
Contact Chopra Criminal Defense at (812) 671-0103 to arrange a free virtual consultation.