Weatherford Robbery Lawyer

At The Law Firm of William A. Walsh, we have over two decades of experience representing clients in Texas. From criminal defense to family law to employment law, we have a proven track record of supporting our clients to help them receive the damages and verdicts they deserve. We are committed to meeting clients where they are. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help with your criminal defense case.

An individual can be charged with burglary if they enter a private space without permission intending to commit a crime. If the crime is committed in a habitation (or a residence), it is usually classified as a second-degree felony. If the person attempted to commit any other felony charge while in the residence, the charges are increased to a first-degree felony. Burglaries of other buildings or vehicles sometimes carry a lesser sentence, but they are usually still a felony.

The penalties for burglary include:

• Burglary of a building. Penalties for this charge include up to a two-year state jail sentence and up to $10,000 in fines.
  
  
• Burglary of a habitation. A burglary of a habitation without an attempt to commit any additional crime carries a two to 20-year prison sentence and up to $10,000 in fines. If the individual attempted to commit another crime, like sexual assault while in the residence, the prison sentence is increased to five to 99 years.

The statute of limitations for most burglary charges is five years, but there are exceptions. If a child was abused or assaulted during the robbery, the statute of limitations increases to 20 years.

Robbery is seen as a more violent crime than burglary. For an individual to be charged with robbery, they must hurt people while committing the crime or be carrying a deadly weapon like a gun or a knife. If this was attempted in a residence, sometimes burglary of a habitation charges can be added to a robbery charge.

Many robberies are captured on camera, which makes the job of proving one’s innocence quite difficult. Here are some ways that a good defense attorney can help with your case:

• Gathering evidence. Even though there is usually a fair amount of evidence in a robbery case, an attorney can help you gather other forms of evidence that show good character.
  
  
• Help with the jury. While a judge cannot impact your probation status, a jury has the ability to give you probation, depending on the context of the trial. A good attorney can help convince the jury to provide you with a lighter sentence or offer probation.
  
  
• Proving innocence/intent. When possible, an attorney will attempt to prove that their client is innocent. If there is evidence to prove the contrary, an attorney can still attempt to prove that you might not have intended to commit a crime.

In Weatherford, Texas, a robbery is considered aggravated when the person:

• Uses a weapon. This can also include an individual simply showing their weapon to intimidate the victim.
  
  
• Threatening someone. For a robbery to be aggravated, these threats must be directed toward people who are either 65 or older or disabled.
  
  
• Injuring someone. If the injuries are not serious, they must have been made against someone either 65 or older or disabled.
  
  
• Seriously injuring someone. Any serious injuries can result in aggravated robbery.

Sentences for aggravated robbery can vary from five years in prison to 99 years in prison. This is why it is so important to work with a reputable criminal defense attorney if you have aggravated robbery charges.

A crime is considered a felony if it is associated with at least a one-year jail sentence. Other crimes like misdemeanors or infractions have limits on the amount of jail time you can face and the amount of fines you must pay. There are several consequences to having a felony on your record, including:

• Voting rights. Individuals with a felony lose their ability to vote, making it difficult to be represented in politics. This also applies to running for public office in any capacity and sitting on a jury.
  
  
• Government programs. Access to certain government programs is restricted if you have a felony. This includes access to things like scholarships and funding for continuing education.
  
  
• Gun ownership. Most people convicted of a felony are unable to own a gun. There are some exceptions to this once five years have passed after you have been released from prison, but access to firearms is severely restricted.
  
  
• Professional licensing. Some professional occupations do not allow people with a felony conviction to hold a license, restricting career opportunities. In addition, some landlords will conduct criminal background checks on their applicants.

You might be able to avoid these consequences by contacting a criminal defense attorney.

Here are some of the defenses that an attorney might use to help you in your case:

• Role. If you were not the primary aggressor in the robbery, your attorney might be able to argue for a lesser sentence.
  
  
• Under the influence. If you were intoxicated or on drugs during the time of the robbery, you might not have been completely coherent or known what was going on at the time. Although this does not work as a defense, it might work to reduce your sentence.
  
  
• Remorse. If it is evident that you regret your actions and want to take steps to remediate them, your legal team might be able to convince a jury to give you a lesser sentence or even give you probation.
  
  
• Trauma. If you have a rough history or have had a lot of problems occur during your life, it might be able to be used as a reason for why you committed the crime.
  
  
• Motive. Sentencing for a robbery charge has a lot to do with intent. If your attorney can successfully prove that you did not intend to commit a felony, you might be able to get your charges reduced or eliminated.
  
  
• Other context. Every case is different. If there is an unusual context surrounding your case, it might leave room for your attorney to explain that you acted out of self-defense or confusion.

While these arguments are not foolproof, they are excellent ways for an attorney to attempt to help the jury see your side of the story. To learn more about what might be the most helpful for your case, contact a theft attorney.

Q: Can You Get Probation for Aggravated Robbery in Texas?

A: In most circumstances, aggravated robbery usually results in a first-degree felony charge. This applies to most people, regardless of how many times they have committed the offense in the past. If you have no other felony charges on your record, a jury might grant probation, but this depends on the specifics of your case. For more information on an aggravated robbery charge, speak with a Weatherford criminal defense attorney.

Q: What Is the Sentence for Aggravated Robbery in Texas?

A: Most cases of aggravated robbery are first-degree felonies. First-degree felonies come with a five to 99-year prison sentence and an up to $10,000 fine. There are several things that can impact the verdict, including the defendant’s role in the robbery, any sign of remorse, whether you were under the influence of drugs or alcohol, a traumatic personal history, or if there was an unusual circumstance involved in the event.

Q: How Much Does a Felony Defense Attorney Cost in Texas?

A: Every criminal defense attorney charges different rates. The specific costs for your case can depend on things like the attorney’s experience level, how serious the charges are, how complex the case is or how long it will take to fight, and whether or not the case is heard before a court or is settled before trial. Felonies are typically more expensive than misdemeanors because they take longer to resolve.

Q: What Is Second Degree Robbery in Texas?

A: There are three degrees of robbery in Texas, and the charge varies based on the level of violence. A second-degree robbery usually occurs if there is at least one other person who is an accomplice in the crime. This might also apply if the person uses a deadly weapon like a gun or a knife or if someone who is not involved in the crime gets injured in the process. The exact classification of robbery offenses is highly variable.

Don’t let a robbery charge hold you back. Work with a criminal defense attorney you can trust. Schedule a consultation with The Law Firm of William A. Walsh to learn about your legal options. Our years of experience representing clients can help with your criminal case.