Bank robbery is a serious criminal offense that can result in high fines and many years in prison. If you’ve been accused of this crime, it’s important to have an experienced criminal defense lawyer in your corner. The Law Firm of Shein & Brandenburg understands the laws concerning bank robbery and the evidence that can be used to convict or acquit you. Our expert legal counsel will represent your interests skillfully and aggressively to make sure your rights are protected.
Understanding Bank Robbery and its Penalties
Bank robbery is defined under the law as the taking (or attempting to take) anything of value from a bank, credit union or related financial institution, or from anyone inside that institution, using force, threats, intimidation and/or violence. (When the theft occurs after hours when no one else is present, it’s technically “burglary” rather than “robbery.”) There are essentially three types of charges associated with bank robberies:
- Armed robbery (use of a deadly weapon to threaten or inflict harm
during the robbery) - Unarmed robbery (no deadly weapon present)
- Inference from possession of recently stolen money (you are found in possession of property taken during the robbery, implicating you as an accessory)
While states have their own laws governing robbery, theft and larceny, when the robbery is linked to a federal institution, it’s a federal offense. Since most banks and credit unions are federally insured, bank robberies are typically tried as federal crimes. Penalties for bank robbery are generally based on the value of the money and property taken, with fines and imprisonment ranging from 1-10 years. Additional charges and/or prison time up to 25 years can be assessed if a deadly weapon is involved and/or if anyone is harmed or threatened; and if anyone dies as a result of the robbery, it can result in up to life in prison, or even the death penalty.
Defending Against Bank Robbery Charges
Considering the possible punishments, bank robbery charges are nothing to be trifled with. Our expert criminal defense attorneys have many years of experience in handling cases such as yours. We will conduct a thorough investigation, advise you of your rights and your options, assemble all available evidence that distances you from the crime, and defend your interests aggressively from pre-trial to post-trial. If you had known involvement in the crime, we can employ such pre-trial defense strategies as plea bargain negotiations and reduction of the charges. And if conviction occurs, we’ll be there during the post-trial phase to file all applicable appeals and negotiate sentence mitigation.
See what our clients have to say…
What Should You Do Now?
If you’ve been charged with bank robbery, don’t delay in getting expert legal representation for your case. For an initial consultation with one of our experienced criminal defense attorneys, call the Federal Criminal Law Group at 404.633.3797 today, or use our online form.