In the state of New York, robbery is a felony. As such, a conviction may land you in prison for several years and require you to pay costly fines. When you can’t afford to lose — when you need trusted and professional legal counsel — the Law Offices of Tacopina Seigel & DeOreo is here for you. Media outlets have hailed this top-rated criminal defense law firm for providing New Yorkers with highly skilled representation. The firm’s attorneys are feared by prosecutors and respected by members of the legal community.
Robbery is the act of forcibly stealing the property of another person. Any type of theft crime — from burglary to carjacking — can carry serious penalties. Thus, it is imperative that you retain experienced counsel immediately after being arrested. In New York City, depending on the circumstances of your case, you may be charged with a Class D, C or B felony and could face up to 25 years in prison. Only with the help of skilled New York criminal defense attorneys can these severe penalties be combated and possibly mitigated.
Common issues related to defending robbery charges
Tacopina Seigel & DeOreo understands how to handle the following issues related to robbery defense cases:
The prosecutor must plead and prove all of the elements of the degree of robbery with which the defendant is charged. Set forth below are the degrees of robbery and their elements:
Third-degree robbery occurs any time the defendant steals something by use or threat of physical force.
Second-degree robbery occurs when the defendant forcibly steals property and acts with an accomplice present at the scene, displays a weapon such as a pistol or knife, causes physical harm to any innocent person or when the property is an automobile.
First-degree robbery occurs when the defendant forcibly steals property and causes serious physical harm to an innocent person, is armed with a deadly weapon, uses or threatens to use a dangerous instrument or displays a firearm. Knowledgeable lawyers in NYC will explain that there is considerable overlap between first- and second-degree robbery and thus the degree with which a defendant is charged is largely a result of prosecutorial discretion.
Discoverable evidence in robbery cases usually consists primarily of incriminating testimony from the victim of the crime or witnesses to the crime. In addition, evidence including lab reports on any weapons used in the commission of the crime as well as police and booking reports can be essential.
New York robbery cases are often prosecuted with nothing more than the testimony of the victim, other witnesses to the crime and the law enforcement offers who assisted in the prosecution. It therefore usually falls upon the defendant to produce exculpatory witnesses to the extent they exist.
New Yorkers who need the best criminal defense retain the services of the Law Offices of Tacopina Seigel & DeOreo Call today at 212-227-8877 or contact us online to schedule a consultation with a highly qualified attorney at the firm.