Robbery Defense Attorneys in Cuyahoga County, Ohio
If you’ve been arrested for or charged with robbery, you need to call a Cleveland robbery defense attorney as quickly as possible. Robbery is either a third-degree or a second-degree felony in Ohio, depending on the circumstances of your case. No matter what you’re up against, you cannot face felony charges alone. You could be facing years in prison, affecting your ability to provide for yourself or find housing for the rest of your life.
The modern criminal justice system relies on plea deals to keep cases moving. Anywhere between 95 and 98% of cases never go to trial, which is how most defense firms resolve cases. Patituce & Associates, LLC is not like most defense firms in Cleveland; our robbery defense lawyers have tried more than 200 cases, using our resources to aggressively advocate for what our clients need. As former prosecutors, we know where the prosecution is hiding weaknesses in their case, so we exploit those weaknesses to give you the strongest chance of success. If you’ve been charged with robbery, contact the Cleveland robbery defense lawyers at Patituce & Associates.
If you’re facing serious charges, you need a proven trial firm. You need Patituce & Associates, LLC.
What Is Robbery Under Ohio Law?
Robbery is defined in §2911.02 of the Ohio Revised Code, or ORC. To put it simply, robbery is any attempted theft where the defendant has a deadly weapon, attempts to inflict physical harm, or threatens to use force on the alleged victim. A deadly weapon is defined in the ORC as “any instrument, device, or thing capable of inflicting death,” or any item designed or adapted for use as a weapon.
The severity of a robbery charge then depends on a few key factors:
- Whether the prosecution can prove the defendant had a deadly weapon
- Whether the prosecution can prove the item counts as a deadly weapon
- Whether the prosecution can prove the defendant inflicted harm on an alleged victim
Simply threatening force during or while fleeing a theft attempt is enough to warrant robbery charges, even if the defendant is unarmed or had no real way of inflicting harm. An unarmed defendant threatening force during an attempted theft will be charged with a third-degree felony; an armed defendant or an unarmed defendant who allegedly inflicts harm on someone during a theft attempt will be charged with a second-degree felony.
What Are the Penalties for Robbery in Ohio?
Robbery can be charged as a third-degree or a second-degree felony, so the penalties will differ on a case-by-case basis. However, one thing is for certain: prior convictions will seriously increase the potential consequences of a robbery conviction.
Robbery conviction can result in the following penalties:
- 3rd-degree: 9–36 months of prison and a $10,000 fine
- 2nd-degree: 2–8 years of prison and a $15,000 fine
- 2nd-degree with prior convictions: 12–18 years of prison and a $15,000 fine
The definition of robbery in Ohio means you could be facing felony charges even if you didn’t steal anything or hurt anyone. The threat of force and the attempt of theft are enough to convict. That’s why it’s vital to call a Cleveland robbery defense firm as soon as possible. If you have a prior conviction, you could be facing over a decade of prison time; don’t leave your future to chance. Our trial lawyers have the resource, experience, and aggressive approach you need in an advocate. Let us help. Get a free, confidential consultation: call (440) 471-7784 or contact us online.