When you are accused of taking something that does not belong to you, it can upend your life. An arrest can be an embarrassing, upsetting experience; if you are convicted, your future may be on the line.
You are accused of a criminal offense when you are accused of stealing something, whether by deception or by force. But how do you know whether you are being charged with robbery or theft? What is the difference between the two? The answer can impact the type of penalties you face and the severity of those penalties.
Getting a defense attorney from Weber Law on your side is vital when facing theft, robbery, and burglary charges. With a criminal defense attorney on your side, you have the tools you need to determine what charges you are facing and what you can do to protect your future.
What Is Robbery?
Robbery is the taking of another person’s personal property by force. That means you may be accused of committing a crime like first-degree robbery while intending to make the victims believe they would be harmed if they did not comply.
If the robbery involved the use of a deadly weapon against the person robbed, it may be called armed robbery. With this and other criminal offenses, you may need a strong criminal defense attorney to defend you and get the property crime dismissed or reduce the penalties you are facing.
What Is Theft Under California Law?
Theft simply refers to taking property without the owner’s consent. The severity of these charges depends on the amount taken. For example, you may face grand theft charges if you are accused of taking over $500 of another person’s property. This accusation comes with felony charges.
You may sometimes be accused of burglary or theft from an inhabited structure, like a house or apartment. These charges can be challenging to overcome, especially if you are found within the building where you were allegedly planning to commit theft or burglary. Do not hesitate to contact a criminal defense attorney for aid.
Often, theft charges are considered petty theft or an attempt to commit petty theft. Purse snatching, for example, is a type of petit theft, though you will still likely need an experienced criminal defense lawyer to guide you through your stolen property case.
Felony vs. Misdemeanor Penalties
When defending against robbery or theft charges, you may be worried about the penalties you may face. While your criminal defense lawyer will do all they can to avoid a conviction, it is important to know what can happen if you are unprepared.
For example, misdemeanor and felony charges may include imprisonment. Misdemeanors may lead to a year in jail, while felonies may lead to years of prison time. You may face even more time in prison if you are accused of using a deadly weapon.
In some cases, you may be eligible for probation with legal help. This option means you will serve your sentence outside prison or jail but with certain restrictions. For example, you may have restrictions on your driver’s license in certain cases or be required to have weekly meetings with your probation officer. If you do not uphold this agreement, you may be sent back to jail.
Because of this, your best option for recovery from criminal charges is to avoid a conviction altogether. Protecting your future may depend on handling these charges correctly.
Robbery and Theft FAQ
You may have many questions when you seek a defense attorney who can tell you the difference between robbery and theft. Getting answers can be tough, especially if you do not have the resources a lawyer can provide.
Fortunately, we offer the legal help you need. When you are ready to seek a defense attorney, reach out to us and check out the following questions to get an understanding of the information you can get from an attorney.
What is the difference between larceny from a person and robbery?
The key element of larceny from a person is theft. This means you are accused of taking someone else’s property from their person. This term does not indicate danger or violence toward the other person. Robbery, however, refers to the violent theft of personal property. For example, victims may have accused you of brandishing a weapon and ordering them to relinquish their property.
What is an example of a robbery and theft?
A robbery may be one person holding another at gunpoint or with the threat of violence if the victim does not comply with their demands. Theft, however, may simply be someone grabbing a purse from a chair and running away with it.
What is the main difference between burglary and robbery?
Burglary is related to theft in that it typically involves taking someone else’s property and does not necessarily need to have the threat of violence. Burglary differs in that it involves entering an inhabited structure or building intending to commit a crime.
What is the law on robbery in Texas?
In Texas, robbery is a second-degree felony. This is a dire criminal offense that can impact your life severely if you do not fight back with a criminal defense attorney’s help. If you have been charged with a felony, seek legal help and speak with a lawyer as soon as possible.
Connect with a Criminal Defense Attorney
Your future may be on the line when you are accused of theft, robbery, or burglary. The victims may be accusing you of a criminal offense, and you may not have the necessary tools to recover. In these cases, you may need a defense attorney to help you defend your future.
The right criminal defense attorney can prevent you from facing harsh penalties like jail time, fines, and other penalties that can impact your quality of life.
When you are ready to reach out for a consultation, Weber Law is here to help. Give us a call or fill out our online contact form to learn more about our services and get the legal help you need.