Robbery Charges Attorney – Criminal Defense
Often we hear or see in the news that an individual is suspected of “robbing” a house or business. Robbery involves taking property from an individual not a location. A Burglary involves taking property from a location or premises. Robberies have an element of violence associated with the crime, whereas burglary rarely deals with any allegations of violence.
We typically see employees of businesses as the victim in a Robbery case. Convenience stores, social media marketplace meetings, and simply walking to your car after shopping at a mall are very common instances of a Robbery in Texas.
Attorney for Robbery Arrests in Fort Worth, TX
If you were recently arrested for Robbery anywhere in the DFW area, it will be in your best interest to immediately retain legal counsel. Gebhardt and Eppes, PLLC defends clients accused of robbery offenses in Arlington, Weatherford, Fort Worth, Cleburne, and many other surrounding areas of Tarrant County, Parker County, and Johnson County.
Gebhardt and Eppes, PLLC are experienced criminal defense lawyers in Fort Worth who can help you achieve the most favorable resolution to your case with the fewest possible penalties. Call 817-502-3600 today to have our attorneys provide an honest and thorough evaluation of your case during a free, confidential consultation.
Tarrant County Robbery Information Center
- How are the criminal charges for Robbery determined?
- What are the penalties and enhancements associated with a Robbery?
Texas Robbery Offenses
Under Texas Penal Code § 29.02, A person commits a robbery if, in the course of committing theft and with intent to obtain or maintain control of the property, he intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly causes bodily injury to another; or intentionally or knowingly threatens or places another in fear of imminent bodily injury or death. Simply, robbery is theft plus the threat of bodily injury or bodily injury of another. An individual can be prosecuted for a robbery even if the theft is not completed. If the State police or prosecutors believe an individual had the intent to commit a theft but was unsuccessful in that theft you can still be prosecuted for robbery in the state of Texas.
Robbery is normally an offense associated with violence. Most often we see robbery aggressively prosecuted due to the violent nature of the crime. If you or a loved one is arrested or being investigated for robbery in Tarrant, Parker or Johnson County Texas, it is important to contact one of the experienced criminal defense lawyers with Gebhardt and Eppes, PLLC, pllc.
Penalties and enhancements associated with a robbery
Robbery comes with a very serious penalty under the Penal Code. Robbery classified as a second-degree felony in the State of Texas. If an individual is charged with robbery they could be facing no more than 20 years and no less than 2 years in prison and up to a $10,000 fine. When faced with the possibility of prison it is extremely important to have an experienced criminal defense lawyer to defend these charges.
There are enhancements to the charge of robbery that increase the penalties and the range of punishment in Texas. If a person commits a robbery as described above and causes serious bodily injury to another; uses or exhibits a deadly weapon; or causes bodily injury to another person or threatens or places another person in fear of imminent bodily injury or death if the person is either 65 years of age or older; or disabled, they could be charged with aggravated robbery. Aggravated is a first-degree felony in the State of Texas and is governed by section 29.03 of the Texas Penal Code. If an individual is charged with aggravated robbery the would be facing at a minimum of 5 years up to 99 years or life in the Texas department of corrections as well as a fine not to exceed $10,000.
The difference between robbery and aggravated robbery is pretty evident based on the range of punishment described above. There is a collateral consequence that is not as evident. Parole is the early release from a prison facility in Texas. Parole is awarded to an individual for any number of reasons. However, one’s parole eligibility is spelled out in the law. There are really two type of offenses for purposes of parole in Texas. Texas Code of Criminal Procedure section 42.12 3(g) contains a list of offenses that we commonly refer to a “3g” offenses. A 3g offense requires an individual to serve at least half of their sentence without consideration of good conduct time before they would be eligible for parole, or early release. Aggravated robbery is a 3g offense. Robbery is a non 3g offense. If an individual is in prison on a non 3g offense they would be eligible for parole with the actual time that they have served plus good conduct time equals one-fourth of a sentence. In short going to prison for aggravated robbery versus robbery carries a significant amount of time spent in prison waiting on parole than a robbery.
Texas Robbery Resources
Crime Information – Fort Worth, Texas Police Department (FWPD) – On this section of the FWPD website, you can find a link to CrimeMapping.com, a website that provides the public with valuable information about recent crime activity in their neighborhood. You can also find quarterly and annual crime reports on this section of the FWPD website, many of which include shoplifting statistics.
Fort Worth Police Department
505 W. Felix St.
Fort Worth, TX 76115
(817) 392-4200
Gebhardt and Eppes, PLLC | Fort Worth Robbery Defense Lawyer
Were you arrested in Fort Worth or Tarrant, Parker or Johnson County area for an alleged robbery offense? Do not say anything to authorities without legal representation. Contact Gebhardt and Eppes, PLLC as soon as possible.