Most people know that stealing things is against the law, but they may not realize just how serious the charges can be. In some cases, a person who takes the property of another person may be charged with robbery, which is a felony in Pennsylvania.
Robbery is a theft-related charge that stands out because it requires that the property was taken through the use of threat, force or intimidation. This means pushing someone or threatening to cause them harm if it’s done during the course of the theft is enough to lead to a robbery charge.
Degrees of robbery
In Pennsylvania, there are different degrees of robbery, each of which has specific criteria that must be present in order for a person to be convicted. The three degrees are:
- First-degree robbery: Threatening or causing serious bodily injury
- Second-degree robbery: Threating physical harm or causing slight injury
- Third-degree robbery: Involving minimal force
It’s possible for charges to be enhanced and sentencing to be harsher if a person used a weapon or had prior convictions for similar charges. Even when none of those factors is present, time in prison is possible upon conviction of this type of charge. In some cases, defendants may be able to reach a plea agreement with the prosecutor, but incarceration is still possible.
Because a conviction of robbery is a felony, it can have a significant impact on a person’s future. It’s important to consider the defense strategy options that are available in these cases. It’s wise to get experienced legal guidance early due to the considerable risks that come with this serious charge.