An armed robbery conviction could cost you thousands of dollars and land you behind bars, taking you away from your family. A criminal defense lawyer in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania firm would like to help protect you from these penalties.
Depending on the facts of your case, we may be able to defend you in court or even get the charges dropped all together. It is the job of your Philadelphia armed robbery defense lawyer to review the facts of the case and figure out the best way to get you your life back.
Penalties You May Face if Convicted of Armed Robbery in Philadelphia
An armed robbery charge may also involve additional charges, including:
- Unlawful possession of a firearm
- Robbery of a motor vehicle
- Involuntary manslaughter
- Murder
Potential penalties for these crimes may vary depending on:
- What you are accused of stealing
- If anyone was hurt during the robbery
- If you are the legal owner of the firearm used in the robbery
- If you have previous convictions relating to theft or illegal firearm possession
For example, retail theft—defined as stealing or tampering with merchandise from a store, according to 39 Pa. C.S.A. § 3929(b)—may result in the relatively minor charge of a summary offense or the much more serious charge of a third-degree felony. A third-degree felony conviction, per 18 Pa. C.S.A. § 1103, could land you in prison for up to seven years.
Regardless of the severity of the penalties you face, the effects they have on your life could be devastating. You may encounter changes in your:
- Career: Getting a job with a criminal record is, unfortunately, not always easy. Potential employers may be scared off by your record.
- Social life: People—even relatives—that you enjoyed spending time with before may want to avoid being “tainted by association” if you are convicted.
- Self-image: A conviction reflects a radical shift in society’s opinion of who you are and your value. This, along with life behind bars, can negatively influence your self-esteem and even your long-term mental health.
- Finances: In addition to the money you lose by not being able to find a job, fines and court fees can have a more immediate impact on your financial situation.
Building a case strong enough to defeat an armed robbery charge and avoid facing these penalties takes a lot of time, effort, and resources. Let Law Offices of M.J. Snyder, LLC. fight on your behalf so that you do not have so much pressure on your shoulders. Call our law firm today – the statute of limitations for robbery is five years per 204 Pa. Code § 303.15. After this amount of time passes your chances of fighting robbery charges become more difficult.
For a free legal consultation with a armed robbery defense lawyer serving Philadelphia, call 215.515.3360
Our Firm Can Protect Your Rights
The team at Law Offices of M.J. Snyder, LLC. would like to help you build the strongest possible case so that you can resume your normal life with a minimum of upheaval. We do everything we can to protect our clients, including but not limited to:
- Offering free consultations: Members of our team are standing by to assess the case of every single person who calls our office.
- Investigating the case: We can conduct an independent investigation and search for any available evidence that indicates your innocence.
- Getting bail reduced: We may be able to get your bail reduced to a level that you are able to pay. It is much better for both you and your family if you are able to be free, not incarcerated, while awaiting trial.
- Getting the charges reduced or dropped: This way, you may face lighter penalties or even be able to go straight home.
- Preparing for trial: If your case goes to trial—and not every case does—we can prepare by locating witnesses, submitting evidence to court, and so on.
- Representing you at trial: This may involve questioning and cross-examining witnesses, delivering oral arguments, and so on.
- Filing appeals: If the trial does not go your way, we can file an appeal to get you a new trial.
Why Hire an Armed Robbery Defense Lawyer in Philly?
Being charged with a crime is stressful, even frightening, for anyone. This can make it even more difficult for you to navigate the legal system without a representative. Instead of taking a chance on your fate by representing yourself, let Law Offices of M.J. Snyder, LLC. advocate for your rights.
Philadelphia Armed Robbery Defense Lawyer 215.515.3360
Building a Strong Defense in Armed Robbery Cases
How can we help you avoid an armed robbery conviction? A defense attorney from our Philadelphia office can gather evidence that speaks to your good character and/or casts doubt on the prosecution’s story. Examples of such evidence include:
- Character witnesses: People you are close to can confirm that you are an honorable person who would never engage in the type of behavior described in the charges.
- Eyewitnesses: Anyone who was with you at the time of the alleged crime or who witnessed the event can speak to your innocence.
- Police reports: We can review the information gathered during the police investigation, point out flaws in their reasoning, and identify potential police misconduct (if there was any).
- Security footage: If a surveillance camera captured you and/or the event, we can use it to show that you were not in the right place at the right time, or that the event did not play out as the prosecution claims it did.
- Other videos or photos: If you or a witness have relevant documentation, we can incorporate that into your defense.
All of this evidence may be more valuable if we can collect it closer to the date of the alleged crime. For example, eyewitnesses may better recall what they saw, and security footage is less likely to have been recorded over.
For these reasons—as well as for your own peace of mind—it is best to call the Law Offices of M.J. Snyder, LLC. as soon as you can after your arrest. This way, we have more time to learn the facts of your case and come up with the best possible plan of action.
Let Our Firm Help You
Law Offices of M.J. Snyder, LLC. truly believes that everyone is innocent until proven guilty, and we show that dedication by helping people just like you throughout the Philadelphia area. To get help with your armed robbery case, call our office at (215) 515-3360 or fill out our contact form. We will assess your case for free and let you know how a defense attorney from our firm can help you.
