Camden County NJ Robbery Lawyer
Criminal Defense Attorney in Southern New Jersey
Robbery is an extremely specific property offense that differs significantly from burglary and other theft crimes. Typical theft involves the unlawful taking of another’s property, while burglary entails unlawfully entering or remaining in a structure or facility with the intention of committing a theft therein. Robbery takes theft into the realm of assault and threat crimes, as it involves the actor inflicting or threatening to inflict bodily injury, or being armed with, using, or threatening to use a deadly weapon. Due to the nature of robbery offenses, these charges are often issued in conjunction with other charges for crimes such as aggravated assault and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose. When you are charged with robbery, you not only face a prison term ranging from 5 to 20 years, but you are also subject to the requirements of New Jersey’s No Early Release Act, which imposes a mandatory period of parole ineligibilty set at 85 percent of your total sentence.
Criminal defense attorney William Fay, a former Deputy Attorney General for the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office, left the prosecutor’s table to dedicate his life to defending individuals charged with criminal offenses in Southern New Jersey. Mr. Fay regularly appears in courts in anywhere from Camden to Mt. Holly. With his highly effective defense strategies and extensive trial skills, Mr. Fay has what it takes to aggressively confront the charges you face after being arrested for robbery, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, and other crimes. To discuss your case and learn more about how Mr. Fay can expertly defend your innocence, contact his offices today at 609-832-3202 for a cost-free consultation.
Robbery Lawyer in Cherry Hill NJ
New Jersey law describes the charge of robbery in section N.J.S.A. 2C:15-1 of the New Jersey Criminal Code. With regard to robbery offenses, the statute provides the following:
a. A person is guilty of robbery if, in the course of committing a theft, he:
- Inflicts bodily injury or uses force upon another; or
- Threatens another with or purposely puts him in fear of immediate bodily injury; or
- Commits or threatens immediately to commit any crime of the first or second degree.
It is important to note that carjacking is a distinct offense, although it mirrors many of the attributes of a robbery crime. Carjacking offenses are described in section N.J.S.A. 2C:15-2, which is strikingly similar to the robbery statute; however, carjacking offenses always involve a motor vehicle as the object of the theft offense. Also, carjacking is always considered a first degree crime, which is the most egregious level of felony under the New Jersey Criminal Code.
Consequences of a Robbery Conviction in New Jersey
Robbery can be classified as a first or second degree crime, depending on the circumstances of the specific case. Typical robbery offenses are considered second degree crimes, which are punishable by a New Jersey State Prison term ranging from 5 to 10 years. On other other hand, robbery is enhanced to a first degree crime, which may result in a 10 to 20-year term of incarceration if the actor:
- Attempts to kill anyone; or
- Purposely inflicts or attempts to inflict serious bodily injury; or
- Is armed with, or uses, or threatens the immediate use of a deadly weapon.
As mentioned above, both levels of robbery charges are governed by New Jersey’s No Early Release Act (“NERA”), which requires the person convicted to serve 85 percent of the sentence imposed before becoming eligible for parole.
Contact a Voorhees NJ Robbery Attorney
If you or someone you love has been charged with robbery in Camden County or elsewhere in South Jersey, the stakes are simply too high to risk your freedom and your future. An experienced and aggressive criminal defense attorney can work to defend your innocence and attack the State’s case to achieve the best possible result. Contact our firm at 609-832-3202 for additional information and a cost-free consultation.