Norfolk, VA Robbery Defense Lawyers

Our mission is your freedom, on your terms

Have you been charged with robbery in Norfolk or Newport News, Virginia? Or perhaps you were arrested in Virginia Beach on criminal charges related to a robbery in the Hampton Roads area. This is a very serious criminal charge involving theft that can have serious, long-term consequences. This is why it’s critical that you have an experienced Virginia criminal defense lawyer handling your legal case.

Our legal team at Welch & Wright, PLLC in Norfolk can help you every step of the way. Our skilled trial lawyers have extensive courtroom experience, especially when it comes to criminal cases involving robbery and other criminal charges. Our law firm can answer your questions, explain your options and get right to work fighting for your freedom.

What is robbery?

Robbery is a specific type of larceny charge in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Larceny is simply a legal term used to refer to theft-related crimes.

In order for someone to be charged with robbery, police and prosecutors need to prove that the theft involved the use of force or threatening to use force or violence. The value of the items stolen does not come into play when charging someone with robbery. Instead, robbery charges simply concern whether someone used violence or threatened to hurt someone when stealing or taking someone else’s property.

If someone simply steals someone else’s property but there was no violence involved or no threat to use violence, prosecutors in Virginia should not charge that person with robbery, but that doesn’t mean they won’t. Again, the key element in a robbery charge in Virginia involves threatening to hurt someone or actually hurting them while stealing their property.

Criminal charges for robbery in Virginia

Virginia’s robbery law is formally explained in Virginia Code 18.2-58. In this law, Virginia lists four specific types of robbery charges:

Robbery that results in serious bodily harm or death to another person, which is a Class 2 Felony charge.
Using or displaying a firearm during the robbery, which is a Class 3 Felony.
Robbery that involves physical force that results in a minor injury or displaying a deadly weapon other than a firearm, which is a Class 5 Felony.
Robbery that involves threatening someone with physical violence but not actually hurting them and not involving a deadly weapon, which is a Class 6 Felony.

Penalties for robbery conviction

If you are convicted of robbery in Virginia, the penalties imposed by a judge or jury can include:

Robbery that results in a serious injury or fatality – 20 years to life in prison and a fine of up to $100,000.
Using a firearm or displaying one during a robbery – 5 to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $100,000.
Robbery involves a minor injury or a deadly weapon other than a firearm – 1 to 10 years in prison or – at the discretion of a judge or jury – up to 12 months in prison and a fine of up to $2,500.
Robbery that involves threatening violence but not actually hurting someone – 1 to 5 years in prison or – at the discretion of a judge or jury – up to 12 months in prison and a fine of up to $2,500.

Legal defenses for robbery charges

If you have been charged with robbery in Virginia, your criminal defense lawyer can bring up many different defenses, which may include proving:

You did not harm anyone or threaten to harm anyone.
No theft occurred and nothing was stolen.
The taking of the items was secondary – for instance, if you get into a fight with someone and then pick up their wallet, that’s different from use of force with intent to take the wallet.
You own the items you are accused of stealing.
Self-defense against the person who claims they were threatened or injured.
The arresting police officer violated your rights during your robbery arrest.
You were not in the area where the robbery occurred.

Police and prosecutors in Virginia need to provide proof that a robbery occurred. If they do not have any evidence that a robbery took place, you should not be charged with robbery and your criminal charges should be dismissed.

Make your case matter. Contact us

Criminal cases involving robbery and other allegations of theft or violence in Virginia can have serious consequences. You could be fined and/or jailed. If convicted, your criminal record could prevent you from getting certain jobs, scholarships, or housing.

Our trial-tested Norfolk robbery defense lawyers have extensive courtroom experience, especially in the 4th Judicial Circuit of Virginia (Norfolk), the 2nd Judicial Circuit of Virginia (Virginia Beach) and other courts in the Hampton Roads, Virginia area. When you have our legal team on your side, you can take a stand and demand the justice you deserve.

Schedule your free case evaluation with Welch & Wright, PLLC – the law firm you want when your freedom is on the line.