Washington’s robbery laws say that you are guilty of robbery in the first degree if you commit a robbery and do so under aggravated circumstances (like while armed with a deadly weapon or while injuring someone). The crime is charged as a felony (as opposed to a misdemeanor) and a conviction can lead to a life in state prison. Please contact a skilled criminal defense attorney now if you are facing any type of robbery charge.
How Does Washington Law Define Robbery in the First Degree?
RCW 9A.56.200 is the Washington statute that sets forth the crime of robbery in the first degree. Per this law, you are guilty of a crime if you commit robbery and in the commission of the crime either:
- Are found armed with a deadly weapon,
- Display what appears to be a firearm or other deadly weapon,
- Inflict bodily injury, or
- Commit the robbery within and against a financial institution.
Note that you are generally guilty of robbery if you:
- Take the personal property of another,
- Do so against that person’s will, and
- Take the property by the use or threatened use of immediate force, violence, or fear of injury.
What are the Penalties?
First-degree robbery is a Class A felony under Washington law. The crime is punishable by:
- A maximum sentence of life in prison, and/or
- A maximum fine of $50,000.
Can a Defendant Raise a Legal Defense?
Yes. You can contest a first-degree robbery charge with a legal defense. A common defense is for an accused to say that they did not commit an underlying crime of robbery. For example, a defendant can try to show that they did not take another person’s property, did not use force in that taking, or did not take another’s property against their will.
Your criminal defense attorney can also try to show that the police somehow violated your rights. Authorities often do this by:
- Arresting you without probable cause,
- Conducting an unlawful search and seizure, or
- Coercing a confession.
If any of the above, then your defense lawyer can move to have your charges reduced or even dropped.
Contact Black & Askerov for Help
While a defendant can raise a legal defense to challenge a robbery charge, it will take a skilled criminal defense attorney to raise the best defense. The experienced criminal defense attorneys at Black & Askerov have over 30 years of combined experience defending clients on a wide variety of robbery charges. Our Seattle criminal defense lawyers also have the skill and commitment that makes all the difference in these cases. Contact us now to get the legal help you deserve!
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