Baton Rouge Robbery Lawyer
Practice Areas
Robbery is often considered both a theft crime and a violent crime, and accusations of robbery can carry a significant stigma. If you’ve been accused of a crime and are now facing robbery charges, a skilled Baton Rouge robbery lawyer from the Law Offices of Ossie Brown can help you fight for your future.
Our experienced criminal defense attorneys know how to defend clients who are facing theft, burglary, or robbery charges in Louisiana. We understand how a criminal conviction can carry consequences that affect every aspect of your life. As trusted Baton Rouge, LA theft crime lawyers, we work to challenge the prosecution’s case, protect your legal rights, and build strong defense strategies tailored to your situation.
Don’t wait to get the legal help you need. Call our Baton Rouge law firm at 225-343-1111 or contact us online to request your free consultation today.
What is Robbery in Louisiana?
In Louisiana, robbery is when a person tries to commit theft by taking something that belongs to someone else, using force, threats, or intimidation to do it. Unlike other theft crimes, robbery involves direct contact with another person.
Under Louisiana law, there are different types of robbery charges, but each one is a serious crime and is a felony offense.
Burglary vs. Robbery vs. Theft
People often mistake burglary, robbery, and theft for the same crime, but in the eyes of the law, each one has a distinct definition and carries different penalties.
- Robbery happens when someone uses force or the threat of harm to take personal property directly from another person.
- Burglary involves unlawfully entering someone’s property, such as a home, business, or vehicle, with the intent to commit theft or another crime, even if no one is inside at the time.
- Theft is a more general crime that occurs when someone takes property that does not belong to them without using violence or direct confrontation.
Under Louisiana law, robbery is considered “misappropriation with violence,” making it both a theft crime and a violent crime, while theft alone is “misappropriation without violence.” Burglary charges stand apart because burglary focuses on unlawful entry with criminal intent, not necessarily stealing or threatening a person directly.
Because of these differences, it’s important to have the right legal support for your specific situation. If you have been arrested for burglary, an experienced burglary defense attorney in Baton Rouge can explain your charges clearly, protect your legal rights, and build a strong defense to achieve the best possible outcome in your criminal case.
Types of Robbery Charges Our Criminal Defense Lawyers Can Handle
If prosecutors have charged you with robbery, you’re facing serious criminal charges. Luckily, our Baton Rouge robbery defense lawyers understand how much is at risk and are here to defend you. Our legal team has the skill, knowledge, and determination to defend against a variety of robbery offenses. We understand the elements of robbery that the prosecutors must prove, and we work hard to create strong defense strategies aimed at protecting your legal rights and fighting for the best possible outcome.
From purse snatching and simple robbery to complex armed robbery cases, our team stands ready to fight for your rights. Below are some of the different types of robbery charges our criminal defense attorneys can handle.
Simple Robbery Louisiana
Simple robbery is defined in La. R.S. § 14:65 as taking something of value from another person by using force or intimidation, but without the use of a dangerous weapon. In simple terms, it means stealing directly from someone while threatening them, but not using a gun, knife, or other deadly weapon to do it. This crime requires that the accused took something from the victim, while the victim was present, and they used force or threats in order to make the victim give up their property.
Second-Degree Robbery Louisiana
According to La. R.S. § 14:64.4, second-degree robbery happens when a person takes something valuable from another person through force or intimidation, and during the crime, the victim is intentionally injured. The accused does not need to use a dangerous weapon in the commission of this crime. Instead, the accused simply needs to harm the victim while stealing the property.
Second-degree robbery can also happen when someone steals from a retail establishment by working together with three or more people to overwhelm store employees, security, or law enforcement. In these cases, the group acts together to either carry out the crime, avoid detection, or instill enough fear that a reasonable person would be too afraid to intervene.
First-Degree Robbery Louisiana
Under La. R.S. § 14:64.1, first-degree robbery occurs when a person uses force or intimidation to steal something of value from another person, while making the victim believe they are armed with a dangerous weapon, even if no weapon is actually present.
The key part of this crime is that the victim reasonably believes they have a dangerous weapon because of their words, actions, or behavior during the robbery. This fear is enough to qualify the act as first-degree robbery, even if the accused was not really carrying a weapon at the time.
Armed Robbery Louisiana
Armed robbery (La. R.S. § 14:64) occurs when someone uses force or intimidation to take anything of value from another person while carrying a dangerous weapon, such as a gun, knife, or any object that can cause serious harm.
While armed robbery charges can result in severe penalties, it’s important to note that Louisiana law makes a clear distinction if the weapon is a firearm. According to La. R.S. § 14:64.3, using a gun in the commission of the crime carries additional penalties beyond those for other weapons.
Carjacking
Carjacking is defined in La. R.S. § 14:64.2 as using force or intimidation to take a motor vehicle from someone who is in control of it. This means the accused either physically forces the driver to give up the vehicle or threatens them in a way that makes them hand it over out of fear.
For the crime to be considered carjacking, the accused must take the vehicle directly from the person’s immediate control, and they must threaten or use force when taking the car. It does not matter whether the vehicle is a car, truck, or motorcycle, prosecutors could still charge the accused with auto theft in Baton Rouge.
Purse Snatching
As stated in La. R.S. § 14:65.1, purse snatching happens when someone takes a purse or the contents inside a purse directly from someone else by using force, intimidation, or sudden grabbing. This crime involves direct contact with the victim but does not involve the use of a dangerous weapon. Even if there is no serious injury or threat of deadly harm, if someone takes a bag through force or intimidation, prosecutors could charge them with a purse snatching crime under Louisiana law.
Penalties for Robbery in Baton Rouge
In Louisiana, every type of robbery is classified as a felony offense. A conviction can result in severe penalties, including imprisonment, substantial fines, and a permanent criminal record. Beyond the court sentence, a felony conviction can also make it harder to find a job, secure housing, or move forward with your life. Here are the minimum penalties for robbery charges in Louisiana:
- Simple Robbery: Up to 7 years in prison and fines up to $3000
- Second-Degree Robbery: Minimum of 3 years in prison
- First-Degree Robbery: 3 years minimum without the benefit of probation, parole, or suspension of sentence
- Armed Robbery: 10 years minimum without the benefit of probation, parole, or suspension of sentence
- Carjacking: Minimum of 5 years in prison
- Purse Snatching: Minimum of 2 years in prison
Minimum Sentence for Armed Robbery in Louisiana
The minimum sentence for armed robbery is 10 years in prison without the possibility of probation, parole, or suspension of sentence. However, if the accused used a firearm during the act, Louisiana law allows for an additional prison sentence of 5 to 99 years, separate from the original sentence. They must also serve this time consecutively without early release. Due to these severe penalties, having an experienced armed robbery defense lawyer is crucial for achieving the best possible case outcome.
Why You Need an Experienced Robbery Defense Lawyer
A robbery conviction can have major consequences for your personal and professional life. That’s why it’s important to have an experienced robbery defense attorney fighting for you. Our skilled criminal defense lawyers in Baton Rouge know how to challenge the prosecution’s case and push to have your charges reduced or dismissed altogether.
Common Defenses to Robbery Charges in Louisiana
Here are some common defenses that our experienced lawyers may use to protect your legal rights:
- Mistaken identity
- Lack of intent
- False accusation
- No force or intimidation
- Alibi
How a Baton Rouge Criminal Defense Attorney at The Law Offices of Ossie Brown Can Help
Since 1984, our law firm has proudly represented clients in Baton Rouge and across Louisiana. Our criminal defense attorneys have the skill and knowledge to defend against a wide range of criminal charges, including robbery, burglary, and theft crimes. We work hard to achieve the best result in every criminal case we handle.
If you’re looking for a theft crime or violent crime defense attorney in Baton Rouge, LA, look no further than the experienced attorneys at the Law Offices of Ossie Brown.
Contact the Baton Rouge Theft Lawyers at The Law Offices of Ossie Brown Today
When police accuse you of robbery in Baton Rouge, choosing the right legal representation is one of the most important decisions you will make. Fortunately, our attorneys can provide the best defense possible. We understand how much is at stake, and we’re here to stand by you every step of the way.
Call the Law Offices of Ossie Brown at 225-343-1111 or contact us online to schedule your free consultation today.
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