Marietta Robbery & Armed Robbery Lawyer

Robbery and armed robbery are charged as felonies in Georgia, meaning that a conviction carries likely jail time. Turn to Waid Law Firm, LLC when your freedom and future are on the line.

Addison Waid is a former Marine with deep experience in the criminal justice system. He handled thousands of cases as a prosecutor, which enables him to see the other side of your case. When you are facing serious charges, you need an attorney who knows all of the ins and outs of the criminal justice system and who will also take the time to listen to you, and that is exactly what Addison Waid does.

Waid Law Firm. LLC is located at 399 Washington Ave NE, Marietta, GA 30060. You can schedule a free initial consultation with our firm by calling us today at 470-458-9866.

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Clients appreciate the straightforward manner in which we work to obtain results for them. Client Alexis Carson writes: “Hired Addison Waid as a lawyer and he was certainly a great one!! Addison was a very thorough and understanding lawyer who wants the best outcome for you, I would recommend him to anyone who is looking for a lawyer in the future!!

What Are the Elements of Robbery and Armed Robbery in Georgia?

Like every crime, the prosecutor must prove each and every single element required for you to be convicted of robbery or armed robbery. The elements of the criminal offense are as follows:

• You intended to deprive another person of their property, whether it is money or some other tangible item.
• You took property either directly from the person, or you deprived them of it in their immediate presence.
• You used force or the threat of force to accomplish The Taking of the property.

In general, Georgia recognizes three types of robbery:

• Robbery through force
• Robbery through the threat of force
• A sudden snatching of property before the victim has a chance to resist

Armed robbery is an upgraded charge when the defendant is alleged to have used either an actual weapon, or an object that appears to be a weapon, to accomplish the taking of the property. The fact that a weapon (or appearance of one) was involved makes an already serious charge much more grave.

What Are the Penalties for Robbery in Georgia?

Any type of robbery is charged as a felony in Georgia. In general, a conviction for robbery will result in a jail sentence of 1 to 20 years. One year is the statutory minimum, meaning that a defendant convicted of robbery will go to jail, unless the prosecutor agrees to a plea agreement involving a lesser charge, or the defendant qualifies for the Georgia First Offender Act.

There is an enhanced penalty when the victim of the robbery was 65 years of age or older. Then, a defendant who is convicted faces a statutory minimum sentence of at least five years in prison, up to the 20-year maximum.

The sentence is enhanced significantly when there was a weapon involved in the crime. Then, a convicted defendant may be sentenced to either 10 to 20 years in jail, or life imprisonment, depending on the circumstances. Some factors that may influence the length of the sentence include:

• Whether a weapon was used
• Whether the victim suffered physical injuries
• The defendant’s prior criminal record
• The number of victims in the case

Defenses to Robbery and Armed Robbery Charges in Georgia

If you choose to fight the charges against you, you may use the following defenses:

• The alleged victim was not reasonably put in fear, such that the taking of crime would constitute a robbery.
• You did not have the necessary intent to steal the property (robbery is a crime of intent, and the prosecutor must prove it),
• There was no force or intimidation involved in what happened.
• The alleged victim actually gave their consent for you to take the property.
• You may have been involved in a planned robbery, but you withdrew from the conspiracy.

If you mount a strong defense to the robbery charges early in your case, it could give you more leverage in plea bargain negotiations. The prosecutor may reduce the charges against you from the more serious crime of robbery to theft, which could mean that you avoid jail altogether or receive a lesser sentence.

How a Marietta Robbery Attorney Can Help You

Robbery is a serious charge, and if you are facing it, you must call an experienced Marietta robbery lawyer immediately. Not only does a robbery attorney work to protect your legal rights at the outset of your case, but they can also do the following:

• Investigate your case and gather the evidence that you need to present your own side of the story
• Challenge the evidence that the prosecutor proposes to use against you, including filing pretrial motions to suppress
• Negotiate a potential plea bargain in exchange for reduced charges or a lesser sentence
• Try your case in court if you choose to fight the charges against you all the way to trial

Contact a Marietta Robbery Law Firm Today

For both peace of mind and the chance of obtaining the best possible result in your case, schedule a free initial consultation with a Marietta robbery attorney at Waid Law Firm, LLC. The sooner you make this call, the better it may be for your potential outcome. To talk to a robbery lawyer, you can reach out to us online or call us today at 470-458-9866.