Seattle Robbery Lawyer
In the state of Washington, thievery crimes are treated as serious, violent crimes. If you are convicted of robbery charges in the Seattle area, you have no reason to expect leniency from the court. If you’re accused of a thievery crime, you’ll need to protect yourself and retain legal help immediately. Contact the Law Offices of Kevin Trombold as quickly as possible if you or someone you love is arrested regarding a thievery case in the Seattle area. You’re going to need high-quality legal help; experienced Seattle robbery lawyer Kevin Trombold can provide it. With more than two decades of criminal defense experience, Seattle robbery attorney Kevin Trombold has established a reputation for aggressively representing clients charged with robberies and similar serious crimes.
AN EFFECTIVE, AGGRESSIVE DEFENSE
Robbery is defined as “unlawfully takes personal property from the person of another or in his or her presence against his or her will by the use or threatened use of immediate force, violence, or fear of injury to that person or his or her property or the person or property of anyone.”
Although many people believe that robbery and theft are the same crime, that is not the case. Both crimes involve taking property that does not belong to you, however there is an additional element of violence with robbery. If any violence, force or intimidation is involved, then the crime is not a theft, but rather a robbery.
There are different degrees of robbery that you may be charged with in Washington. Robbery in the first degree is committed when you commit a robbery offense and also:
- Are armed with a deadly weapon
- Display a firearm or deadly weapon
- Cause bodily injury while committing the thievery
- Rob a financial institution
Robbery in the first degree is a serious offense that should not be taken lightly. To prove that you have committed robbery in the first degree, the prosecution must prove that you without a reasonable doubt:
- Stole something that belonged to a person
- Physically took the property away from the person
- Had the intention to permanently keep the property away from its owner
- Used force, fear or intimidation to take the property
- Used or led the victim on to believe that you were capable of using a deadly weapon
Robbery in the second degree is charged when any person commits a robbery that does not meet the qualifications of robbery in the first degree.
You absolutely want to avoid any penalty for thievery in this state. Under the robbery law in Washington, hinging on the details and circumstances of the case, robbery defendants face one of two robbery law charges. Second-degree robbery is a class B felony and may be punishable by up to ten years in prison and up to $20,000 in fines. First-degree robbery in Washington may be punished by life in prison and up to $50,000 in fines since it is a class A felony. Robbery in the first degree also counts as a strike against you under Washington’s three strike law, meaning you are one step closer to facing even harsher sentences.
Even worse than the fines and prison sentences is the social stigma that you may face if you are convicted of thievery. Friends and family may turn against you after you are convicted. It may be difficult for you to find a job, since many employers will be hesitant to hire someone who has a prior history of stealing from others. Likewise, landlords may not approve your application to live in their housing, so you may find it difficult to find a place to live, too. The consequences of a thievery conviction are long-term and far-reaching. Don’t put your future in the hands of an inexperienced attorney or public defender.
If you’re charged with robbery in the Seattle area, it’s imperative to be represented by a skilled attorney who can aggressively and effectively challenge the state’s case against you. Experienced Seattle robbery lawyer Kevin Trombold will craft a defense that safeguards your legal rights and brings your thievery case to its best possible conclusion.
ROBBERY DEFENSES
The strategy that you use in your case will depend heavily on the specific circumstances surrounding your arrest and alleged crime. After you speak with the experienced Seattle thievery attorneys at the Law Offices of Kevin Trombold, our team of attorneys will devise a solid defense strategy for your case.
Some of the most common defense strategies for thievery include arguing the reliability of any witness statements that were made against the accused, arguing that any confessions that were made by the accused were coerced by law enforcement officers, filing motions to suppress evidence, and challenging any evidence that was gathered by law enforcement using improper protocol.
Depending on the specific circumstances of your case, your attorney may find that a plea bargain is the best available option. In this case, you would plead guilty in order to receive a lighter sentence or be charged with a lesser crime. Plea bargains are not appropriate in every case, but if there is overwhelming evidence against you and your chances of getting off the hook are slim, a plea bargain may be right for you. Never agree to a plea bargain without first consulting with your attorney.
If you have been arrested and charged with thievery, it’s imperative that you contact an experienced Seattle robbery attorney as soon as possible.
SCHEDULE A CONSULTATION NOW
Any criminal charge can ruin your life unless you get the right help fast from the right criminal defense attorney. Experienced Seattle robbery lawyer Kevin Trombold and his legal staff work swiftly and aggressively to investigate thievery cases and protect the rights of clients. With over twenty years of experience and a reputation for legal excellence respected by Seattle-area judges, prosecutors, and peers, defense attorney Kevin Trombold routinely wins not guilty verdicts, dismissals, and reduced charges. If you are charged with thievery in or near the Seattle area, contact the Law Offices of Kevin Trombold by calling 206-590-7667 as quickly as possible for a no-cost initial consultation.
