Colorado Springs Robbery Charges Demand a Strong Defense
In Colorado, those charged with robbery face a potential felony. Why does this matter?
Because a felony conviction can result in significant consequences to your life, both legally and personally, consequences that include time in prison and exorbitant fines – not to mention a criminal record – can make it challenging to get your life back on track.
Thankfully, The Law Office of Andrew Bryant is here to help. We have years of experience handling criminal cases involving robbery and want to put that to work for you. You need a knowledgeable Colorado Springs criminal defense attorney to ensure your rights are upheld and give yourself the best chance at a positive outcome.
What Exactly Is Robbery Under Colorado Law?
When you knowingly take something of value directly from someone else or in the presence of another through the use of intimidation, force, or threats, then you have committed a robbery in our state.
People often get confused about the difference between robbery and theft. The legal difference is that robbery is a crime that takes place in front of someone else. Burglary is also different from theft in that it involves illegally entering a place intending to commit a crime or steal something.
A person can commit robbery in three distinct ways under Colorado law. They are:
Simple Robbery
Simple robbery is considered the least severe of a person’s charges, but it is still quite serious.
This type of robbery occurs when someone knowingly takes anything of value through the use of force or fear. To be convicted of this crime, it must be shown that you used fear of force or actual force.
Aggravated Robbery
Simple robbery can be elevated to the charge of aggravated robbery in cases where any of the following were a part of the crime:
- The perpetrator was armed with a deadly weapon that was intended for use to wound, maim, or kill the victim if they did not comply
- The perpetrator struck or wounded the victim with the deadly weapon or caused the victim to believe that they were under threat of bodily injury or death
- The perpetrator indicated to the victim that they had a deadly weapon or they used an item that had been somehow altered to look like a weapon
Aggravated Robbery of a Controlled Substance
Aggravated robbery of a controlled substance is a very specific robbery crime that can be elevated from aggravated robbery. This occurs when the robbery in question meets the criteria for the perpetrator to be charged with aggravated robbery and also involves a controlled substance from a person who acquired the drugs legally or a pharmacy or pharmacist.
Different Kinds of Robbery Crimes in Colorado Springs
There is a wide range of criminal activity and behaviors that are covered by robbery laws in our state. The most common include:
Mugging
Mugging is a crime that typically takes place in public, where someone is robbed.
Robberies of Commercial Businesses
It is considered robbery when intimidation or violence is used to get goods, money, or other property from a business such as a gas station, supermarket, or convenience store.
Purse Snatching
Transforming a theft charge into a robbery charge does not require a lot of force. If a person manages to take another person’s handbag without force, it could be seen as theft—but if the victim resists, then it can easily be elevated to robbery.
Regardless of what type of robbery a person is charged with, the consequences can go way beyond time behind bars or fines. Those convicted of felonies face a lifetime of hardship, so you must do what you can to ensure this does not happen to you.
Penalties for Robbery Convictions in Colorado
When facing robbery charges in Colorado, you must have an experienced Colorado Springs criminal attorney to help you navigate the court system and hopefully avoid conviction. The penalties you may face if you are convicted of robbery include:
Simple Robbery
Simple robbery is a Class 4 felony in Colorado. That translates to a prison sentence of up to six years and a three-year period of mandatory parole. Anyone convicted may also be asked to pay fines of up to $500,000. Additionally, it should be noted that the penalties can be increased if the victim of the robbery is disabled or over the age of 70.
Aggravated Robbery
Aggravated robbery is a Class 3 felony. The state also considers it a crime of extraordinary risk, which means that Colorado considers it a crime that poses a great risk of harm to society as a whole. The result is more severe sentencing.
A person convicted of aggravated robbery in Colorado may receive up to 16 years in prison, five years of mandatory parole after their release, and fines of as much as $750,000. If a deadly weapon was used in the commission of the crime or if anyone was seriously injured, the maximum prison sentence could be raised to 32 years.
Aggravated Robbery of a Controlled Substance
A Class 2 felony, aggravated robbery of a controlled substance can result in up to 48 years in prison in the most extreme cases, five years of mandatory parole, and up to $1 million in fines.
These potential penalties are why it is important to take any robbery charges against you seriously and hire a skilled lawyer to represent you and fight for your rights.
