Robbery Lawyer Trenton, NJ
New Jersey Theft Crime Lawyers Vigorously Defend Clients Charged with Robbery in Mercer County, Middlesex County, and Monmouth County, NJ
New Jersey imposes particularly severe penalties upon individuals who have been convicted of robbery. Robbery is a crime that requires an element of violence, which generally means that it will be punished more severely than other types of theft crimes. A conviction for robbery will almost certainly result in significant jail time, and it will undoubtedly have an impact on the convicted person’s future life, both on a personal and a professional level. Under N.J.S.A. 2C:43-7.2’s no-early release law, if an individual is convicted of robbery in New Jersey, he or she will be required to serve at least 85% of his or her sentence before becoming eligible for parole. The minimum jail sentence for a second degree robbery conviction is five (5) years, highlighting the importance of retaining a skilled criminal defense attorney to advocate on your behalf if you have been accused of robbery.
Lauren E. Scardella of The Scardella Law Firm LLC has successfully defended hundreds of criminal cases in her more than a decade of experience as a robbery attorney in Trenton, New Jersey. Attorney Scardella understands the way the prosecution thinks, and has a reputation for getting to know clients on a personal level so that she can more effectively and aggressively defend their rights. While it is impossible to guarantee results in any criminal case, Attorney Scardella work tirelessly to identify viable and strong defenses in each of her client’s cases to obtain the best possible outcome.
How a Theft Crime Escalates to a Robbery Charge in Hamilton, New Jersey
A general theft crime becomes robbery in New Jersey when an element of violence is introduced into the mix. Robbery is different from burglary because it focuses on the interaction between the accused individual and a human victim. The elements of burglary focus upon the illegal entering of property, regardless of whether there is another person inside the property. Under N.J.S.A. 2C:15-1, a person is guilty of robbery if, while committing a theft, attempting to commit a theft, or fleeing from the scene after committing a theft or attempting to commit a theft, he or she:
- Inflicts bodily injury or uses force upon another, or
- Threatens another person, or purposefully puts that person in fear of immediate bodily injury, or
- Commits or threatens to commit any crime that would be categorized as a first or second degree offense.
Robbery is generally a second degree offense in and of itself, and it can be escalated to a first degree offense if the accused individual attempts to kill anyone or purposefully inflicts, or attempts to inflict, serious bodily injury. Robbery is also a first degree felony if the accused individual is armed with a deadly weapon, or if he or she uses or threatens the immediate use of a deadly weapon.
Why Choose Trenton Criminal Defense Attorney Lauren Scardella to Handle Your Robbery Charges in New Jersey?
The “use of force upon another” or “threatens another person” elements of a robbery charge allow for this crime to be applied broadly in a variety of very different scenarios in New Jersey. For example, if an individual rips a purse from a woman’s hand, that individual may have committed robbery even in the absence of verbal threats or even without actually touching the woman’s body. If an individual steals merchandise from a store and says that he or she will kill a security officer if the officer follows, that person may be guilty of robbery. “Deadly weapon” can also be interpreted broadly to mean anything from an assault rifle to a baseball bat.
Attorney Lauren E. Scardella is a Trenton robbery lawyer who works tirelessly to evaluate the circumstances surrounding the alleged robbery to locate inconsistencies in the prosecution’s evidence and credibility issues with respect to any witnesses that could undermine the strength of the prosecution’s case against her client. If you have been accused of robbery in Hopewell, Hamilton, Robbinsville, Trenton, or somewhere else in New Jersey, she can help you fight the charges.
Contact an Aggressive West Windsor Robbery Defense Attorney to Discuss Your NJ Robbery Case Today
The Scardella Law Firm LLC offers a free initial consultation to all of their clients so that we can discuss the robbery charges that have been brought against you and any possible defense avenues. Contact their office at 609-587-1144 to schedule an appointment today, or fill out this online form.
Frequently Asked Questions About Robbery Charges in New Jersey
I have been accused of robbery, but I didn’t actually steal anything or hurt anyone. Can I still be convicted?
Yes, it is possible to be found guilty of robbery without any actual theft or physical injury. The elements of a robbery in New Jersey can be proven even if the prosecution is only able to establish that a defendant attempted to steal something and threatened to harm someone. The relevant conduct can be committed during the actual attempted theft, or upon fleeing from the scene.
Can a conviction for robbery be expunged from my record?
Probably not. More serious crimes, such as robbery and carjacking, generally cannot be expunged from a convicted individual’s record. Robbery is treated as a serious violent crime even if no actual injury resulted from the convicted person’s actions.
