A common misconception is that robbery is not a serious offense. On the contrary, this is a criminal matter in New York state, and the charges are considered felonies. Read on to discover the different types of robbery, the consequences associated with them, and how one of the seasoned Garden City, NY larceny lawyers at KCS Law can work to fight for your rights in court.
How is robbery defined in New York State law?
Generally speaking, robbery is defined as forcibly stealing property while using physical force or threatening to use physical force against another party. However, New York law acknowledges three different types of robbery offenses. Their specific definitions read as follows:
- Robbery in the third degree: forcibly stealing the property of another party while using or threatening to use physical force against another party.
- Robbery in the second degree: forcibly stealing property while causing serious physical injury to another party and displaying a deadly weapon (i.e., a firearm or knife).
- Robbery in the first degree: forcibly stealing property while causing serious physical injury to another party, arming yourself with a deadly weapon (i.e., a firearm or knife), using or threatening to use a deadly weapon, and displaying a deadly weapon.
What are the penalties for robbery in New York state?
With the varying degrees of robbery come varying degrees of penalties. For one, robbery in the third degree is considered a Class D felony. This may lead to a prison sentence of anywhere between two to seven years.
As for robbery in the second degree, this is considered a Class C felony. The potential penalty for this is a prison sentence of anywhere between seven to 15 years.
And lastly, being the most severe, robbery in the first degree is a Class B felony that is associated with a prison sentence of anywhere between 10 to 25 years.
What are the defenses I can take against my robbery charge?
A common defense that is taken against a robbery accusation is that you abandoned your attempt to commit the robbery. The prosecutor will then have to prove, beyond a reasonable doubt, that you did not abandon your committing or attempt of committing the forcible stealing of another party’s property.
Nevertheless, the robbery conviction against you can cast a shadow on many aspects of your future life. So regardless of which degree of robbery you are being charged with, it is in your best interest that you reach out to one of the knowledgeable Nassau County criminal defense attorneys as immediately as possible. Schedule your free consultation today to learn how we can aggressively defend your case and attempt to reduce or altogether eliminate the penalties you are facing.
Contact Our Long Island Firm
If you need experienced legal counsel for a criminal matter on Long Island or anywhere inNew York State, please contact KCS Law to schedule a consultation.
