In Orange County, California, and throughout the courts of Southern California robbery is a commonly overcharged crime. It is also one of the most serious. A robbery is a strike under California’s three strikes law. Anyone charged with robbery needs to consult a lawyer immediately.

Robbery is “the felonious taking of personal property in the possession of another, from his person or immediate presence, and against his will, accomplished by means of force or fear.” Within this definition, many factual scenerios can present as a robbery. For example, a robbery can occur when a shoplifter tries to get away from store security and either pushes past the store security or in any way use force to try to get away. Many people are surprised that such conduct is a robbery. In California this is known as an “Estes Robbery” after a case bearing the same name.

ROBBERY IS SERIOUS AND CARRIES WITH IT SEVERE PENALTIES
The sentence range for 1st degree robbery is 3-9 years in state prison. For 2nd degree robbery the sentence range is 2-5 years in state prison. All forms of robbery are strikes in California. Moreover, in addition to the base sentences, certain conduct enhancements can increase the punishment. For example, using a firearm during the course of a robbery can add 10 years in prison to the robbery sentence. Discharge of the firearm during a robbery will add an additional 20 years to the sentence. Clearly, if someone is accused of robbery it is a case they cannot afford to lose.

Due to the serious nature of the charges and the extreme punishment that is handed down, one that is accused of robbery must be prepared to do anything in legal defense of the case. The first step is to consult with an aggressive, experienced attorney who understands this fact.

In California, the government possesses sophisticated crime labs, an army of police and prosecutors, specialized investigators, paralegals, law clerks, stenographers, and gophers all funded on the taxpayer dime and all dedicated to ensuring the highest conviction rate possible. To combat this force, defendants need a skilled and able attorney who will fight the government for them. Mr. Bruno has the skill and experience and most of all the dedication to battle the government on your behalf.

If you have been accused of Robbery, contact the Orange County, Los Angeles and San Diego criminal defense firm of The Law Offices of Keith J. Bruno. We offer a free face-to-face consultation and can work out a payment plan in most situations.

The Newport Beach, Orange County, California, law offices of Keith J. Bruno represents Californians who have been accused, charged, or arrested for criminal offenses in Orange County, Los Angeles, Riverside, San Bernardino and San Diego.