If you are facing robbery charges in Alexandria, it is important that you know what to expect from the investigation and the court process so that you can build a strong defense. Because of the serious potential penalties, it is important that you consult the advice of an experienced robbery lawyer when you are facing robbery charges in Alexandria.
An individual can be charged with robbery as a principal, an accessory, an accessory after the fact, or a principal in the second degree. A person can be charged with robbery offenses when they commit robbery, are involved in the getaway, or are involved in the planning. A person can also be charged with robbery if they are with the group of people that committed the robbery at the time that the offense was committed because there is the inference that they were working together.
If found guilty of a robbery offense, the consequence could be a considered a felony, which makes the need for an Alexandria robbery lawyer crucial. The severity of the charge depends on the severity of the robbery itself and someone will be sentenced accordingly. The incarceration period ranges from five years to life depending on the facts of the case, including whether someone else was harmed.
If an individual is charged with the attempted or conspired offense, they are not considered the principal, but that individual is involved and still facing a serious felony charge. In Alexandria, conspiracy offenses may be punished similarly to the principle offense.
A person can be charged with attempt and the underlying offense, but the person generally cannot be convicted of both for the same incident. Someone can be charged with conspiracy and the underlying offense, but that person generally cannot be convicted of both for the same event.
Virginia has open records and open court laws, so typically, for robbery charges, it becomes a public record once the warrants are filed. There may be circumstances in which the case is not a matter of public record, for example when the victim or the offenders are juveniles and the case originated in juvenile and domestic relations district court.
It is important to hire an attorney that has experience practicing in the jurisdiction that the person is charged with because they should have extensive knowledge of the rules of procedure, how to conduct discovery, and many times a local presence of an attorney can be beneficial in formulating the best possible defense.
The accused should have all of the information available that they want their attorney to know available when contacting a criminal lawyer about robbery charges. That information should include names of potential witnesses, possible co-defendants, and what defenses they believe that they may have from the get go. The attorney will use that information to help develop defenses.
Northern Virginia Criminal Defense Group
