Affordable Robbery Lawyer
In Jonesboro, GA

Robbery vs. Burglary

It is common to believe robbery and burglary are the same crimes, but they are not.

An offender commits a robbery by using force, violence, or threats of violence to take someone's personal property. During a robbery, the offender steals property directly from or in front of the victim.

Alternatively, a burglary involves illegally entering a space belonging to another with the intent to commit a crime of theft therein. Burglary does not require the use of force to enter a home, business, or building, and it is also unnecessary for the victim to be present.

Because one of these crimes does not involve force, the penalties vary.

The Prosecution Has the Burden to Prove the Defendant Committed Robbery

When an individual faces charges for robbery, the prosecution has the burden of proving they committed the crime. To do so, the prosecution must prove the following:

• The defendant took the property intending to steal it
• The property belonged to another
• The property was taken against the owner's will
• The defendant utilized force or threats of violence to obtain the property

The defendant must have taken the property intending to permanently deprive the owner of the use of their property. If the defendant intended to borrow the property and give it back, that would not be enough to satisfy the first element above.

The property belongs to another person other than the defendant.

The property must have been taken against the owner's will, meaning the owner did not want to hand over their property but felt they had no choice.

Finally, and most importantly, the defendant must have used some sort of threat or force to obtain the victim's property. The use of force or violence does not have to be significant. A prosecutor could examine many factors, like a significant size difference between the defendant, when determining whether the victim felt threatened.

Additionally, some states require the threat to be imminent, meaning the victim feels they would suffer harm at that very moment rather than some future harm.

Without successfully establishing the required elements of robbery, it would be nearly impossible for the prosecution to obtain a conviction, A defense lawyer will help raise a defense on your behalf to fight your robbery charges.

Let an Unbundled Lawyer Help You Fight Robbery Charges

Penalties for robbery can be life-changing, including fines, restitution, and extensive prison sentences. Fight robbery charges with the help of an unbundled lawyer. An unbundled lawyer has the knowledge, experience, and skills to help protect you against serious consequences while helping you get your life back.

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