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Crime Overview Robbery

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In 2006 alone, there were roughly 447,403 robberies across the United States.

Robbery is the act or the instance of illegally taking something that belongs to someone else, especially by using force, threats or violence. Robbery is a felony crime in the United States and it is punishable by up to life in prison.

Robberies can occur at any place or any time, but they tend to occur more often in anticipated settings and at expected times. Robbers and their victims can be friends, relatives, or total strangers. Most robberies occur one-on-one and lasts less than a minute.

Many people associate robberies with banks or at retail establishments that are open late at night. The truth is that those two locations combined only make up 10.4% of robberies. Forty-four percent of robberies occur on the street, directly against a person. This form of robbery, when someone uses force or fear against you in order to take something, is called strong-arm robbery. If the item taken is a car, it is referred to as a car-jacking. If a robbery occurs in your home, it's called home invasion robbery. Robbery can also occur in a store, if the store personnel and the would-be robber get into a fight over the items stolen.

The weapon of choice for robbers is a gun, 42.2%, and knives come in second at 8.6%. Strong-arm tactics such as punching, kicking, pushing, or threats are used mainly on the street. Robbers usually surprise the victim, catching them off guard and therefore at a disadvantageous standpoint, allowing the robber to have easier access to their end goal.

Most robberies occur at night, with statistics increasing after 8pm and decreasing after 3am in most areas. Robberies often increase during the winter months because of extended periods of darkness.

If you have been accused of robbery, whether you are guilty or not, you should hire a criminal lawyer or attorney to help you with your case. Criminal lawyers and attorneys represent individuals who have been charged with crimes by arguing their cases in courts of law. A criminal lawyer or attorney will typically have a private practice concentrating on criminal law.

If you have been arrested for robbery, you should contact a criminal attorney immediately. If you cannot afford to hire a private attorney, you will be assigned a public defender. If you are able to hire your own lawyer, however, you will want to look for one who has a proven track record of acquittals in robbery cases. In the United States justice system, the burden of proof lies with the prosecution. This means that your attorney need not prove that you are innocent, per se; he or she need only plant enough doubt in the minds of your jury to make it impossible for them to convict you.

Before your case goes to trial, however, you attorney will attempt a plea deal if applicable, file all the necessary pretrial motions, and carefully evaluate your case in order to mount the best possible defense. Your attorney may also be able to argue for a reduction in the amount of bail you must pay in order to be released from jail pending your trial.

If you are suing a convicted robber for damages resulting from the crime, you will need to hire a civil lawyer or attorney. Even if the person was not convicted and you feel they should have been, and you want to sue them for damages, you should hire a civil lawyer or attorney.

If you are ready to contact a criminal lawyer or attorney to help you with your case, visit the American Bar Association. The ABA offers free access to their lawyer locator, which can help you search for a criminal lawyer or attorney in your area.