Columbus Robbery Defense Lawyers
Persuasive representation for Central Ohio defendants charged with robbery
Robbery is a very serious charge. If convicted of robbery or aggravated robbery, you could be sentenced to years in prison and ordered to pay $10,000 or more in fines. When you are released, finding a job, obtaining credit, and locating a place to live will be extremely difficult. A felony on your record means that you will not be able to possess a firearm. You may not be able to vote.
At Soroka & Associates, LLC, our criminal defense lawyers are respected for our record of fighting criminal charges. We work aggressively to obtain dismissals, suppress any illegally obtained evidence, negotiate plea bargains, and defend you in court before a jury. We understand which defenses apply to criminal cases in general and to robbery cases in particular.
What is the definition of robbery in Ohio?
In Ohio, robbery is defined by state law as follows:
No person, in attempting or committing a theft offense or in fleeing immediately after the attempt or offense, shall do any of the following:
- Have a deadly weapon on or about the offender's person or under the offender's control
- Inflict, attempt to inflict, or threaten to inflict physical harm on another
- Use or threaten the immediate use of force against another
A violation of either of the first two conditions (having a deadly weapon or inflicting/attempting to inflict physical harm as part of a theft offense) is a felony of the second degree. A violation of the third condition (the use or threat to immediately use force) is a felony of the third degree.
“’Deadly weapon’ means any instrument, device, or thing capable of inflicting death, and designed or specially adapted for use as a weapon, or possessed, carried, or used as a weapon.”
Ohio defines theft as when a person, “with purpose to deprive the owner of property or services, shall knowingly obtain or exert control over either the property or services” – without the consent of the owner, beyond the scope of the implied or express consent of the owner, by deception, or by threat.
When does robbery become aggravated robbery?
Aggravated robbery is a first-degree felony. The crime of aggravated robbery consists of:
A person attempting or committing a theft offense, as defined in section 2913.01 of the Revised Code, or in fleeing immediately after the attempt or offense, [who also does] any of the following:
- Having a deadly weapon on or about the offender's person or under the offender's control and either display the weapon, brandish it, indicate that the offender possesses it, or use it
- Having a dangerous ordnance on or about the offender's person or under the offender's control
- Inflicting, or attempting to inflict, serious physical harm on another.
Aggravated assault also includes a person, without privilege to do so, [who] shall knowingly remove or attempt to remove a deadly weapon from the person of a law enforcement officer, or shall knowingly deprive or attempt to deprive a law enforcement officer of a deadly weapon, when both of the following apply:
- The law enforcement officer, at the time of the removal, attempted removal, deprivation, or attempted deprivation, is acting within the course and scope of the officer's duties
- The offender knows or has reasonable cause to know that the law enforcement officer is a law enforcement officer.
What are the penalties for a robbery offense in Columbus?
The sentences for robbery convictions are generally the following (some additional factors may be considered):
- A felony of the first degree in Ohio is generally anywhere from 3 to 11 years and a fine of up to $20,000. In some cases, a mandatory sentence may be required.
- A felony of the second degree in Ohio is generally anywhere from 2 to 8 years and a fine of up to $15,000. In some cases, a mandatory sentence may be required.
- A felony of the third degree in Ohio is generally anywhere from 9 to 36 months and a fine of up to $10,000. In some cases, a mandatory sentence may be required.
A felony conviction may result in the loss of your right to possess a firearm or to vote.
How can your Columbus robbery defense attorneys help my case?
There are often legal and factual defenses that our seasoned Columbus defense lawyers assert on behalf of defendants charged with robbery. Some of the defenses are common to most criminal cases. Other defenses are unique to the charge of robbery and to the unique facts of your case.
Some common defenses include asserting that one of your Constitutional rights was violated.
- The Fourth Amendment protects Ohio residents from unreasonable searches and seizures and from warrants that were issued without probable cause. We file motions to suppress any evidence that was illegally obtained.
- The Fifth Amendment protects defendants from having to give any incriminating statements against their own interests. This is why you should always remain silent if you’ve been arrested – and call our office instead.
- The Sixth Amendment requires that defendants be able to question the witnesses against them. Our lawyers are skilled at questioning police officers and victims.
At Soroka & Associates, our lawyers are skilled at the jury selection process and at arguing your case before a jury. We are experienced at working to show that there is a reasonable doubt that the offense was committed, and that you committed the offense.
In robbery cases, we focus on the precise wording of the statutes. For example, we may argue that:
- No deadly weapon was used when the offense took place.
- No theft was involved in the offense.
- No threats were made during the offense.
- Other claims that the prosecution failed to prove one element of the crime of robbery.
We also assert personal defenses, such as that a defendant has an alibi, the police identified the wrong person, or other defenses that support your innocence.
Our primary aim in criminal cases is to have the charges dismissed or to have the key evidence against you suppressed. Often, the strongest resolution of your case is to negotiate a plea bargain so that the more serious charges are reduced. For example, a possible plea bargain of a robbery charge is having the prosecutor drop the robbery offense to a less serious theft offense.
Do you have a robbery defense lawyer near me?
At Soroka & Associates, we understand the importance of speaking with your lawyer quickly and privately if you’ve been arrested for robbery. Our Columbus office is located at 503 South Front Street, Suite 205. We are conveniently located just blocks away from Rt. 23 and I-71. We answer calls when someone has been arrested. We make arrangements to see defendants in prisons and other detention locations when necessary.
Call our Columbus robbery defense attorneys today to get started
If you’ve been charged with a crime, you need immediate help. Our lawyers will advise you about your rights. We’ll speak to the police, to the prosecutors, and present your legal position before the court. To discuss how we can help you, call us at 614-358-6525 or use our contact form to schedule a free consultation. We represent defendants from the initial arrest through the jury trial. We’ll fight for your freedom. We serve clients in Columbus and throughout Central Ohio, including in Licking County, Delaware County, Fairfield County, and beyond.