St. Charles, IL Robbery Defense Attorneys

Experienced Robbery Defense Lawyers Advocating for Clients in St. Charles, Illinois

Robbery is one of the most serious property-related offenses under Illinois law. Unlike theft or shoplifting, robbery involves the use or threat of force to take property directly from another person. Because of the violent nature of the offense, robbery is always charged as a felony, and a conviction may lead to a lengthy prison sentence, even for a first-time offender. When weapons or threats are involved, robbery charges may be elevated to aggravated robbery or armed robbery, which can lead to even harsher penalties.

At Ramsell & Kunowski, L.L.C., our experienced lawyers can assist with a wide variety of criminal cases. In fact, we have represented clients in more than 20,000 criminal cases throughout our firm's history. We defend people facing serious charges in Kane County and throughout Illinois, including complex felony cases involving accusations of robbery and other violent crimes. Our team is committed to protecting our clients' rights and building strategic defenses to help them succeed in these high-stakes cases.

What Is Robbery?

A person may be charged with robbery if they have allegedly taken property from another person, either by using force or by threatening to use force or inflict harm on the property owner or someone else. This distinguishes robbery from theft, which involves taking property without a direct confrontation or threat.

Examples of actions that may lead to robbery charges include:

• Snatching a purse from someone's shoulder while shoving them aside
• Threatening a store clerk and demanding cash from the register
• Striking or pushing a person in order to steal their phone or wallet
• Forcibly taking merchandise from a security guard during a shoplifting attempt

It is not necessary for the victim to be physically harmed. The use or threat of force on its own can lead to robbery charges.

Penalties for Robbery

Robbery is classified as a Class 2 felony, punishable by a sentence of three to seven years in prison and fines of up to $25,000.

Robbery may be elevated to a Class 1 felony, with a potential sentence of four to 15 years in prison, if it occurs in a school, place of worship, or daycare center, or if the alleged victim was over the age of 60 or had a physical disability.

What Is Aggravated Robbery?

A charge may be elevated from robbery to aggravated robbery if the offender stated or indicated that they were armed with a firearm or other dangerous weapon. These charges may apply even if no actual weapon was present when the person allegedly committed the offense. For example, claiming to have a gun during a robbery, brandishing a fake weapon, or keeping a hand in a pocket to suggest a firearm can lead to aggravated robbery charges.

Delivering a controlled substance to a person in order to take property from them is also considered aggravated robbery. If drugs were administered without the person's consent, such as through an injection or by adding sedatives to someone's drink, and this was done for the purpose of taking that person's property, this could lead to aggravated robbery charges.

Aggravated robbery is a Class 1 felony. Illinois law treats any indication of a weapon—real or not—as a major escalation of the offense, and it is critical to have a knowledgeable defense attorney when facing this charge.

What Is Armed Robbery?

The most serious robbery offenses involve the use of firearms or other dangerous weapons. A person may be charged with armed robbery if they are accused of carrying out a robbery while they were actually armed with a dangerous weapon, such as a firearm, knife, or club. Discharging a firearm will make these charges even more serious, especially if doing so caused someone to suffer serious injuries.

Armed robbery is classified as a Class X felony, and in situations where a person was allegedly armed with a dangerous weapon other than a firearm, they could be sentenced to between six and 30 years in prison. If a person allegedly possessed a firearm during a robbery, 15 years may be added on to their sentence. Discharging a firearm during a robbery can lead to a 20-year sentence enhancement, and if this discharge resulted in great bodily harm or death, 25 years may be added to a sentence, or a person could be sentenced to life in prison.

How Ramsell & Kunowski, L.L.C. Can Help Defend Against Robbery Charges

A robbery conviction can derail a person's life, but these charges are defensible. At Ramsell & Kunowski, L.L.C., we thoroughly examine the evidence to build a powerful defense. Depending on the case, our strategies may include:

• Challenging eyewitness testimony, which is often unreliable or inconsistent
• Disputing the presence of a weapon or the use of force or threats
• Presenting alibi evidence or challenging the timeline of events
• Exposing flaws in the investigation, including improper police conduct or violations of constitutional rights

In some cases, we may pursue charge reductions, plea agreements, or alternative sentencing options. Our firm works tirelessly to protect our clients' freedom and limit the long-term impact of a robbery charge.

Contact Our St. Charles Robbery Defense Lawyers

Accusations of robbery can lead to serious felony charges, and a conviction may lead to life-altering penalties. In these situations, you need an experienced criminal defense attorney who can aggressively advocate for you. At Ramsell & Kunowski, L.L.C., we will fight to protect your rights, your future, and your freedom. Contact us at 630-786-6062 to arrange a free consultation and begin building your defense.