Robbery offenses, and particularly armed robbery offenses are treated as a very serious crime in New Jersey. Because of the risk of harm to another person in armed robbery matters, New Jersey counties will typically prosecute these offenses to the fullest extent of the law, which can result in jail time of up to 20 years. Because this type of criminal charge is usually a complicated matter and can be difficult to navigate, if you are facing robbery charges it is essential to retain an experienced criminal defense attorney who can dedicate personal attention to your case and aggressively fight for the best possible outcome for you. At the Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall, our experienced and powerful defense team can often achieve results such as a downgrade in charges, favorable plea bargain, or dismissal of charges.
New Jersey Robbery Penalties
Since robbery is a serious criminal offense in New Jersey and can result in life-altering penalties, it is of the utmost importance to work with a legal defense team with significant experience in defending robbery charges. Attorneys at the Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall handle matters in Atlantic City, Mullica, Egg Harbor Township, Galloway Township, Hamilton Township, Pleasantville and throughout Atlantic County. Our criminal defense lawyers have extensive experience handling a wide variety of robbery matters such as shoplifting, aggravated assault, and burglary.
New Jersey law defines the offense of Robbery as follows:
A person is guilty of robbery if, in the course of committing a theft, he:
- Inflicts bodily injury or uses force upon another; or
- Threatens another with or purposely puts him in fear of immediate bodily injury; or
- Commits or threatens immediately to commit any crime of the first or second degree.
(N.J.S.A. § 2C:15-1(a))
Additionally, penalties can be increased if the alleged offense is serious enough to be escalated to a first-degree crime, which is the case under the following circumstances:
. . . if in the course of committing the theft the actor attempts to kill anyone, or purposely inflicts or attempts to inflict serious bodily injury, or is armed with, or uses or threatens the immediate use of a deadly weapon.
(N.J.S.A. § 2C:15-1(b))
Penalties can include 5-10 years of jail time, escalated to 10-20 years of jail time if the crime is found to be a second-degree offense. Charges can be escalated to those assigned to a first-degree crime even if only an imitation firearm was used in the commission of the crime. Additionally, to further complicate the legal landscape, armed robbery charges frequently go hand in hand with other weapons charges. New Jersey law also increases the impact of sentencing on your life and future when it comes to robbery offenses, as the No Early Release Act (NERA) prohibits parole or early release before 85% of a jail sentence has been served. For armed robbery offenses, the Graves Act also dictates mandatory jail time. Because of the potential for serious and uncompromising penalties in this type of case, it is crucial to work with an experienced and knowledgeable legal defense team to effectively handle your case and negotiate the best possible outcome for you. Our experienced defense team is well prepared to expertly advocate on your behalf.
Atlantic City NJ Robbery Attorney
If you have been arrested or charged with a robbery offense in Brigantine, Hammonton, Somers Point, Mullica, or Margate City please call us for a free consultation. We will provide consultation on the best possible approach to your case and how to minimize the impact of these charges on your life and future. Call us at 855-450-8310 or e-mail us to arrange your free consultation today.
