What are the Penalties for a Robbery Conviction in Pennsylvania?
Robbery is a very serious felony criminal offense in Pennsylvania. A conviction can carry serious penalties, including significant prison time. At The Hoover Firm, LLC, we have the experience to take on all types of robbery charges. We want to make sure that you know exactly what you are facing if you have been charged with robbery. Within this article, our Harrisburg criminal defense attorney provides a comprehensive overview of the penalties for robbery in Pennsylvania.
An Overview of the Robbery Statute in Pennsylvania
Under Pennsylvania law (18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 3701), robbery is defined as the use or threat of immediate force during the commission of a theft. The crime can be charged as a first, second, or third-degree felony depending on the level of force or injury involved.
A first-degree robbery involves serious bodily injury or the threat thereof and carries severe penalties, including long prison terms. Still, even the mere threat of force, without actual physical harm, can elevate a theft to robbery.
What are the Penalties for Robbery in Pennsylvania?
No matter the specific allegations, robbery is a very serious crime that carries very serious penalties. It involves violence or the actionable threat of violence, and that tends to make these charges much more serious than theft cases. Here is an overview of the penalties:
- First-Degree Robbery: A conviction for first-degree robbery in Pennsylvania is extremely serious. It can result in up to 20 years in state prison. The charge applies when the offender inflicts serious bodily injury or threatens another with such injury during the theft. The court may also impose significant fines, probation, and restitution to victims. Prosecutors often seek harsh penalties in first-degree robbery cases.
- Second-Degree Robbery: In Pennsylvania, second-degree robbery is punishable by up to 10 years in prison and substantial fines. The charge typically applies when the offender causes bodily injury or threatens to do so, but the harm is not classified as serious. While less severe than first-degree robbery, the conviction still results in a permanent felony record and the sentence is often serious.
- Third-Degree Robbery: Third-degree robbery is the least severe robbery charge. However, that by no means makes third-degree robbery a minor issue. The crime still carries a maximum penalty of seven years in prison. The charge may apply when the defendant uses minimal force, such as grabbing or pushing, to commit a theft. Despite being the lowest degree, it is still a felony offense and results in a permanent criminal record.
Consult With Our Harrisburg, PA Robbery Defense Lawyer Today
At The Hoover Firm, LLC, our Harrisburg robbery defense attorney is prepared to fight for justice. If you or your loved one was arrested and charged with robbery, we are more than ready to help. We put the best interests of clients first. Good people can face bad legal challenges. Contact us today for a fully confidential, no-obligation case evaluation. From our Harrisburg law office, we defend robbery charges throughout all of Central Pennsylvania.