Armed Robbery Attorney
Defending Against Armed Robbery Charges in Cumming
The state of Georgia does not play when it comes to armed robbery.
Armed robbery is defined as a robbery committed with an offensive weapon, a replica of an offensive weapon, or a device having the appearance of any such weapon. This means that even if a robbery is committed without an actual weapon, but the robber implied they had a weapon or had something that looked like a weapon, perhaps a toy gun, then they could be charged with armed robbery.
Criminal charges that are of the caliber of armed robbery are life-changing. A guilty verdict will guarantee the fact that your life will never be the same. A simple charge is already enough to start causing waves in your life that will affect some areas you might not have considered.
What Are The Penalties for Armed Robbery in Cumming?
Georgia considers armed robbery to be a violent felony offense.
The first felony offense comes with a minimum of a ten-year prison sentence and tops out with a maximum of 20 years behind bars. The second conviction can result in life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Anyone with three prior felonies in any state in the United States who then commits an armed robbery in Georgia will be required to serve the maximum sentence without the possibility of parole.
You do not even have to be the person who committed an armed robbery to be charged with a crime in Georgia. Being involved with an armed robbery in any capacity, whether by casing the joint, planning the robbery, or even buying the gun, can land a person with “party to the crime” charges.
How Can Armed Robbery Charges Affect Your Life?
Armed robbery charges are serious, and for good reason. You are being accused of putting someone else’s life in immediate damage for personal gain. You will be defending yourself not only in the eyes of the law but also in the eyes of public opinion.
Simply being charged, not even convicted, can lead to you losing your job, as employers may want to distance themselves from anyone associated with such a heinous crime.
Being charged with armed robbery can affect your family. If you lose your job, how are you going to provide for your loved ones? What will your parents think of you being charged with such a serious crime?
Suppose these charges turn into a conviction, even if you do not receive any significant prison time. In that case, you may lose any professional licenses you have, such as a commercial driver’s license.
Even if you do not hire an attorney or you rely on an overworked, under-experienced public defender, the legal fees can quickly add up and become a crushing burden that only you are responsible for.
What Are the Best Defenses Against Armed Robbery Charges?
The best defense in an armed robbery case is innocence. If you can provide an alibi proving you were not in the area of the crime, either by witnesses or a paper trail, such as being clocked in at your job. A criminal defense attorney can help assist you with the elements of your alibi and help you collect the information to prove your innocence.
If you were forced to commit the crime of armed robbery, maybe because you were threatened, you may be able to claim you committed the crime under duress.
You may also be able to claim self-defense. If you can prove that you were forced to use force in order to protect another person during the robbery, you may be able to claim self-defense. This is only sometimes a valid defense and can be difficult to prove.
Should You Hire a Criminal Defense Attorney?
Armed robbery charges are serious and should be taken seriously from the start. The moment you are accused of an armed robbery should be the moment you stop speaking with police and start speaking with an attorney.
The experienced criminal defense attorneys at Carl Chapman P.C. can help build a solid defense that will have the best odds of protecting your freedom.
Call 470-206-2169 to speak with a lawyer today.