UNDERSTANDING ROBBERY CHARGES IN ILLINOIS
Robbery is a complex crime with many forms and many people fail to understand its extent. Each of the various robbery offenses are violent felonies under Illinois law. It is important, however, to know how various actions can turn a plain robbery into another type of robbery, say aggravated robbery for example, and the difference in penalizations between the different types of robberies. Consulting a criminal defense lawyer is the best way to fully understand when and how various types of robbery come into play and what potential sentence a conviction could evoke.
DEFINING THE TYPES OF ROBBERY
The definition of robbery is to take property from the person or presence of another with the use of force or threat of imminent use of force. In order to rob someone, you have to forcefully take or threaten to use force and take property from someone else’s person. Robbery by itself is considered a Class 2 Felony with a conviction carrying between 3 and 7 years in prison with fines up to $25,000. Plain robbery becomes a Class 1 Felony if the victim was over 60 years old or was handicapped. If the robbery occurred in a day care, care home, or place of worship, it is also bumped to to a Class 1 Felony, meaning that a conviction could mean between 4 and 15 years in prison with up to $25,000 in fines.
A more serious form of robbery is called aggravated robbery. Robbery becomes aggravated robbery when you commit the robbery while armed with a dangerous weapon or if you committed the robbery by giving them a controlled substance without their consent. Aggravated robbery is a Class 1 Felony.
Armed robbery is robbery committed while you are carrying or discharging a firearm. Armed robbery is considered a Class X felony, which will add years to a conviction for robbery. The facts of the incident, such as whether you actually fired the weapon or just carried it, will determine how harsh the additional sentence is if you are convicted.
When you rob someone of their vehicle, that crime is called carjacking. Carjacking is a Class 1 felony offense. Aggravated carjacking is a carjacking where the victim was over 60, you were armed, or you discharged a firearm. Aggravated carjacking is a Class X Felony and, like armed robbery, will add time to a sentence based on the facts of the case.
REACH OUT TO AN ATTORNEY FOR PROFESSIONAL ASSISTANCE
If you are facing robbery charges, you need a strong advocate with unique skills. Eugene Fimbianti has a unique background that includes years as a police officer and a felony prosecutor; he knows how your case will be handled on the other side. There is no better defense than one that already knows the strategy of the offense. Contact The Law Offices of Eugene Fimbianti today for help.