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Robbery, burglary, and theft are terms that have important legal distinctions. They all involve violating another person’s property, but only robbery is classified as a violent crime by the FBI.
Robbery in Washington State is defined as taking another’s personal property “by the use or threatened use of immediate force, violence, or fear of injury.” This differs from burglary, which involves entering or remaining unlawfully in a building; and from theft, which is to “wrongfully obtain or exert unauthorized control over the property or services” of another person, but lacks the component of force.
If you have been charged with robbery, Twyford Law Office can help. Our Spokane robbery defense lawyers are ready to fight for your rights and work around the clock to help you obtain a positive resolution to your case.
To request a free consultation with our team, call (509) 327 0777.
Robbery Statistics in Washington
Washington had 5,651 robberies in 2016, according to the FBI’s Uniform Crime Statistics, which is in line with recent years. Less than 200 took place outside metropolitan areas, so robbery is primarily a big-city crime here.
There are two degrees of robbery, according to the Washington criminal code.
First-degree robbery results when one of the following conditions are met:
The perpetrator is armed with a deadly weapon, displays a firearm, or inflicts bodily injury
The robbery is within or against a financial institution.
First-degree robbery is a Class A felony, the most serious of crimes in Washington State. Life in prison is the maximum sentence.
Second-degree robbery covers all other instances, the critical factor again being the use or threatened use of force. It is a Class B felony, with maximum punishments of 10 years in prison and a $20,000 fine.
Robbery – either first- or second-degree – is one of the offenses applied to Washington’s persistent offender law, popularly known as the “Three Strikes” law. A person convicted three times of specific serious crimes is automatically sentenced to life in prison with no promise of parole.
Reach Out to Twyford Law Office
An experienced Spokane robbery defense attorney can make all the difference in the outcome of your case. If you have been charged with robbery, you are facing serious consequences if convicted. Our team wants to help you avoid those harsh penalties, overcome this situation, and move forward.
Give us a call at (509) 327-0777 to seek representation from our firm.