If you’re facing robbery charges in Lawrenceville, GA, or the surrounding area, a skilled and reputable Lawrenceville robbery lawyer can be a key resource in finding your way through this difficult time. This will be especially true for those facing serious felony-level charges, such as armed robbery.
The Fleming Firm of Lawrenceville is proud to offer access to high-quality representation to help you fight for your rights and protect your future.
At The Fleming Firm, we understand the seriousness of robbery and related offenses, and we are prepared to provide aggressive, cost-effective legal representation tailored to your individual needs.
Without specific legal training, it can be very easy to confuse robbery with other terms, like burglary or theft. Under Georgia law, though, these are all distinct crimes with their own definitions and potential sentences. The Fleming Firm of Lawrenceville, GA, is able to offer powerful, highly responsive legal assistance to persons charged with any of the following:
Robberies are one of the most common types of violent crime incidents throughout the United States, and Georgia sees its fair share, with nearly 8,000 occurring in the state per year. Robbery is defined as the perpetrator using force (or the threat of force) in the course of taking someone else’s property. This element of force can come in different forms, such as brandishing a weapon at a store clerk in a threatening fashion or actually physically attacking a security guard to facilitate a robbery.
Robbery charges become more serious when a weapon, such as a firearm or knife, is utilized in the course of the robbery. The stakes are extremely high, and you must be prepared to provide a compelling case, ideally one that can refute or undermine the prosecution’s narrative.
Demonstrating that a weapon was not actually used can be extremely critical to an armed robbery defense. In theory, a gun can mean the difference between a routine shoplifting case and an armed robbery case that carries felony charges.
Burglary, like robbery, is a type of theft crime defined by specific circumstances. In the case of burglary, it is the unlawful entering of a premises (rather than the use of force) that defines the crime.
Someone who breaks into a store after hours to steal products might be charged with burglary, whereas someone who enters the same store by day and threatens store employees with a knife while stealing products could be charged with robbery.
Note that the theft does not need to be successfully carried out for a burglary charge to stick–merely gaining illegal access to the home, building, or facility with the specific intent to commit further crime is enough if the prosecution is able to prove it. Burglary crimes can be further categorized into different degrees (first degree, second degree, etc.) based on their severity.
When people mistakenly misuse terms like burglary and robbery, they’re often using them in place of “theft,” which is a simpler, broader concept. A theft occurs when someone knowingly and intentionally deprives another of their rightful property. In simpler terms, it’s stealing something.
While theft is a fairly simple concept on its surface, theft incidents can often be further categorized based on the circumstances of the case. One example of this would be “theft by conversion,” which occurs when the perpetrator is voluntarily given money or goods for some specific purpose but then wrongfully keeps those assets for themselves.
For a real-world example, think of a shift manager who is given a bag of cash to make the nightly deposit on behalf of their employer. However, the employee instead skims a portion of the money and fraudulently edits the corresponding financial records.
In certain contexts, you may also find the term “larceny” used when referring to property crimes. Larceny is interchangeable with “theft” to a fairly large extent, although there is a distinction of scope to be made. Larceny is specifically defined as the stealing of physical property from its rightful owner, whereas “theft” can be applied a bit more broadly.
Shoplifting is a common type of larceny that occurs when an individual steals merchandise from a retail store. This traditionally involves concealing a smaller item in a bag or clothing article in an attempt to avoid paying for it, although more dramatic, destructive, and brazen “smash and grab” incidents also qualify as shoplifting.
Due to its frequent association with smaller items, shoplifting is often charged as a misdemeanor with relatively light penalties. However, as with most property crimes, the sentencing will be informed by the severity of the case’s unique circumstances.
Often portrayed as the ubiquitous “white-collar crime,” embezzlement can take on a range of different forms. In general, embezzlement is a type of theft that occurs when a malicious actor misuses their financial responsibilities or organizational privileges to divert funds for their own benefit.
A part-time store clerk sneaking a $20 bill from the cash register at the end of their shift and a nonprofit CEO using donations for their own personal gain would be two very different examples of illegal activities that could be prosecuted as embezzlement.
Often referred to as “blackmail” colloquially, the crime of extortion involves the unlawful acquisition of property or money by making threats of impending harm to another party. These threats might occur face-to-face between two parties who work together closely, or it could be a more impersonal matter of a malicious hacker sending threatening electronic communications to many potential victims at once.
As with other types of theft, the consequences of an extortion conviction will usually be commensurate with the details of the offense and any extenuating circumstances.
As your dedicated Lawrenceville robbery lawyers, the team at The Fleming Firm is committed to defending individuals accused of robbery and other property crimes. Our reputation is built on using our substantial legal prowess to lead clients from their most challenging circumstances to the greatest possible case outcomes.
We achieve these results through custom-tailored legal solutions that are detail-oriented, assertive, and client-focused, while also being grounded in a practical understanding of these cases and their likely outcomes.
Whether you face charges for an armed robbery that you were caught committing or are trying to clear yourself of wrongful theft accusations, The Fleming Firm can swiftly implement a powerful legal solution to meet your needs and uphold your rights.
Robbery is a serious offense in Georgia and other states, and it carries penalties that are quite significant, including potential prison time and hefty restitutional fines. The most effective path to mitigating these serious consequences is working with a proven Lawrenceville robbery lawyer.
We achieve these results through custom-tailored legal solutions that are detail-oriented, assertive, and client-focused, while also being grounded in a practical understanding of these cases and their likely outcomes.
Whether you face charges for an armed robbery that you were caught committing or are trying to clear yourself of wrongful theft accusations, The Fleming Firm can swiftly implement a powerful legal solution to meet your needs and uphold your rights.
Robbery is a serious offense in Georgia and other states, and it carries penalties that are quite significant, including potential prison time and hefty restitutional fines. The most effective path to mitigating these serious consequences is working with a proven Lawrenceville robbery lawyer.
The specific penalties for a robbery conviction are going to vary, as this depends on factors such as:
Before deciding if it’s worth the investment to hire a private defense attorney to represent you in a robbery case, it is crucial to understand that serious robbery convictions can result in multi-year prison sentences.
In cases where the property stolen was of lesser value and no violence occurred, convictions may only result in fines or probation, especially for first-time offenders. Even in these cases, working with an attorney from The Fleming Firm can help ensure fair treatment and mitigate the extent of punishments handed down by the court.
At The Fleming Firm, we believe in fighting tirelessly for our clients’ rights and futures, regardless of any past mistakes they’ve made. By focusing on your individual needs and the unique details of your case, we can formulate an excellent defense strategy to see you through this legal challenge to the optimal outcome Contact our Lawrenceville offices today to get started with a consultation.