Armed Robbery
Armed robbery is a serious criminal offense that carries heavy penalties if convicted. An armed robbery is any robbery that involves the use of a weapon. The weapon may be a traditional weapon, such as a gun or a knife, or it may be something not typically considered a weapon, such as a tool or a heavy object. Any object used to threaten a victim is considered a weapon and will be treated as such in an armed robbery arrest.
Penalties
Under Florida law, armed robbery is a violent crime, punishable as a first-degree felony. An individual convicted of a first-degree felony faces the following penalties:
- Imprisonment: 3 years to life, depending on the weapon used
- Fines and restitution
- Driver’s license suspension or termination
- Community service
Armed Robbery with a Firearm
Instances of armed robbery that involve a gun are prosecuted more heavily than those that do not involve a firearm. Florida has a specific statute for crimes that involve a firearm, known as the 10-20-Life law. Under 10-20-Life, an individual who carries or brandishes a gun while committing a crime will automatically have his or her prison sentence increased by 10 years. For firing the gun, the offender will have 20 years added to his or her sentence. If a victim is wounded or killed by the firearm during the armed robbery, the offender will be given a life sentence.
Florida clearly takes armed robbery and firearm offenses very seriously and seeks to punish offenders with severe sentences. If you have been arrested for armed robbery, you need an experienced criminal defense lawyer to help you prepare your case for court.
Contact Us
For sound legal advice and assistance with your armed robbery charge, don’t hesitate to contact the experienced Boca Raton firearm offense attorneys of Eric N. Klein & Associates, P.A. today at 561-353-2800.
