Robberies are among the most serious examples of theft-related charges under state law. Unlike a simple theft that involves taking another’s property, a robbery involves the supposed use or threat of force to achieve a theft. This means that an alleged victim either suffered an injury or feared harm. All examples of robbery are charged as felonies under the state’s penal code.

It is crucial to begin building a defense against these charges with help from an attorney as soon as possible. At Ruane Attorneys, our legal team is prepared to evaluate the incident, contest the prosecution’s case, and call the legality of police work into question. Let an East Windsor robbery lawyer protect your rights and present your defense in court.

Three Versions of Robbery Under State Law

All robbery cases in East Windsor and elsewhere in the state revolve around the same basic concept. According to Connecticut General Statute § 53a-133, a robbery is any theft that occurs while a defendant uses force to achieve their goal. This may include actual physical contact or the mere threat of causing another harm.

With this basic concept in mind, there are three versions of robbery under state law. Each example comes with its own definition and potential penalties for conviction.

Robbery in the Third Degree

Most robberies fall under the umbrella of Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53a-136. This is robbery in the third degree and involves the basic definition included above. Convictions are class D felonies that come with a one to five-year prison sentence.

Robbery in the Second Degree

If the robbery involves a defendant acting in concert with another party to commit the act, second-degree charges may result. Under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53a-135, this is a class C felony where convictions can result in up to ten years in prison.

First-Degree Robbery

First-degree charges apply when the incident results in severe injury to any alleged victim. These charges may also allege a robbery where a defendant held or used a firearm. According to Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53a-134, this can bring a prison sentence of up to 20 years as a class B felony. An East Windsor attorney could help explain the exact nature of a person’s burglary charges and what a prosecutor needs to prove.

Defenses Against Robbery Charges in East Windsor

The prosecutors in robbery cases always have the burden of proving each element of the charge beyond a reasonable doubt. A defense may center around creating doubt concerning any of the elements of the case.

Perhaps the most direct defense plan is to argue that the defendant was not the person who committed the illegal act. Introducing evidence of a defendant being in a different place at the time of the alleged robbery can be powerful proof of innocence. It may also be possible to call a supposed victim’s recollection of events into doubt and contest their identification of a defendant as a robber.

Other defenses will involve violations of a defendant’s Constitutional rights. This might include their right to privacy if the police made an illegal search of their home or body. A robbery lawyer at our firm can evaluate the evidence in a case and begin building a defense that best fits the circumstances.

Let an East Windsor Robbery Attorney Protect Your Rights

Robbery allegations must be met with a proactive and robust defense strategy. Even if the case moves forward without any aggravating factors, a conviction is a felony that comes with a mandatory prison sentence. It is crucial that you give yourself the best chance for success in your case.

Hiring an East Windsor robbery lawyer is a step in the right direction. Ruane Attorneys could work to evaluate the prosecutor’s case, determine your best defense strategy, and put that strategy into effect in and out of court. Give our office a call to learn more.